Kwadwo Tano: The river god that transforms into a Muslim and accepts kenkey, bread as sacrifice

The Tano River in the Bono East Region is highly revered for residents as the water has a deep cultural and spiritual significance for the people.

In a recent interview with blogger Fanta Blaq, Maa Tiwaa, a native of Tanoso, shed light on these traditions.

She explained that consuming fish from the Tano River is forbidden, as doing so is believed to invoke serious consequences.

To honour the river god and seek his blessings and divine protection, people from the area bring sacrifices such as kenkey and bread, breaking them into the river while praying for their heart’s desires to be fulfilled.

"Tano is one of the major rivers in Ghana. We don't joke with it at all. I came to offer some sacrifices to the River God. I brought some balls of kenkey and some loaves of bread.

"As you break the kenkey into pieces, you pray, and you mention what you want the river god to do for you. Once you do this, all your heart desires will be met," she stated.

Maa Tiwaa also disclosed that the river also plays a protective role, especially during the night.

According to her, stories have been passed down from generations to generations of its divine interventions, such as when a man’s intent on committing evil was thwarted by the river god.

She explained that the river god is also said to manifest as a large crocodile that comes to accept sacrifices, such as a fowl, offered by the people.

"The river also protects us from evil, especially during the night.

“During our childhood days, we heard a story of a man who wanted to perpetuate evil. He couldn't because of the river god. It turns itself into a human being dressed like a Muslim.

"This water body is highly revered in this region. Kwadwo Tano—that is the name of the river go, truly powerful! This river even overflows during the harmattan season. When you bring a sacrifice, that is a fowl, the river god will turn into a crocodile and come for it,” she stated.

She explained that these encounters reinforce the river’s revered status in the community as well as the country.

The river, which is one of the major water bodies polluted by illegal mining activities, popularly referred to as galamsey, flows for 400 kilometres from a town called Traa, a suburb of Techiman, the capital town of the Bono East Region, to Ehy Lagoon, Tendo Lagoon, and finally Aby Lagoon in Ivory Coast, where it enters the Atlantic Ocean.

For residents, the river is much more than a natural resource; it is a symbol of cultural heritage and spiritual significance.

JKB/AE

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