Anlo Afiadenyigba

Anlo Afiadenyigba (Adzigo)
Anlo Afiadenyigba Location in Ghana
Coordinates: 6°1′27.04″N 0°59′0.79″E / 6.0241778°N 0.9835528°E / 6.0241778; 0.9835528
Country	Ghana
Region	Volta Region
District	Keta Municipal District
Time zone	GMT
• Summer (DST)	GMT

Anlo Afiadenyigba is a town in the Volta Region of Ghana. The town is located on the eastern part of the Keta Lagoon.

THE AUTHENTIC HISTORY OF ANLO AFIADENYIGBA

Migration History

The people of Anlo Afiadenyigba are descendants of the Anlo Ewe groups who settled in Anloga. The Anlo ancestors migrated from Notsie in Central Togo in mid – seventeenth century. They established several small settlements on the southern, western and northern shores of the Keta Lagoon. These include Tegbi, Alakple and Kodzi in the south, Anyako to the west and Afiadenyigba on the northern part. Salu is recognized as the first person to have settled in present day Anlo Afiadenyigba circa1700s. Family Lineage of Salu Salu descended from the Akum family of Notsie. Akum married Abui Buekpor, sister to Kokui Asongue and Togbi Wenya, and they begat Atsu Etso, Etse Gbedze, Doe and Dotse of the Tovie clan. Atsu Etso was the father of Salu while Etse Gbedze was the father of Ashiaglo; father of Akamu. Atsu Etso and Etse Gbedze were among those who brought their uncle Togbi Wenya to settle at Anloga. Salu's other siblings were Ahelegbe (Dakpo) and Xormenyae. Their mother was Akorlipui (Biana.). Establishment of Afiadenyigba In the 1700s, there was a war between the people of Keta and Anlo which razed Keta to the ground. The people of Keta migrated east and founded Somey with the capital Agbozume. During this period Salu left Anloga and settled at Dudu. From Dudu, Salu went to stay briefly with his cousin and comrade in arms, Togbi Dzisam of Nolopi. Salu who was a warrior and a hunter left Nolopi unceremoniously for an unknown destination on a hunting expedition. He discovered the present day Afiadenyigba land at a time when there were no other persons living in the vicinity. He found the place conducive for his fishing and hunting activities. The Klikors, who had earlier passed through the land did not find it fertile for their farming activities. They nevertheless claimed ownership of the land. Salu, whose mother was from Klikor therefore aporoached his uncle, Togbi Akorlibli for the grant of the land. His uncle asked him why he wanted to stay on a land which was not productive, he responded that there is no land anywhere which produces food by itself. He was therefore granted the northern side of the lagoon since he was a fisherman and a hunter. He established his settlement there, thus making Salu the first settler on the land. In view of that, the place was originally called Salukope.

Arrival of New Settlers

In the 1800s, a wave of fishermen from Woe settled at Dudu and Boko islands for fishing in the Keta Lagoon. There was no fresh water on the islands so they came to Salu for fresh water from his pond, Saluvudo now called Gbadagla. Subsequent flooding of Dudu, Boko and Ayidiga islands made the dwellers relocate to settle at the western end of the promontory. These new settlers included Aglebe, Akplehe and Akamu. They initially settled at Dziehe (on top of Salu) but eventually some of them moved downwards closer to Salu. Akamu asked Salu for a piece of land but Salu took him to see the Akorlibli family at Klikor. Subsequently, Akamu was also granted land for settlement. As close relatives, it was natural that Akamu was granted land next to Salu. Akamu's quarters was called Anyiehe. In between Anyiehe and Dziehe was called Dome where Aglebe lived. Anyiehe later became known as Agbonuga after Tetteh - Goku built his Yeweh shrine there. Dome is now known as Dome-Kpornuga. Salu vacated his home which was located in present day Agbonuga for his direct brother Ahelegbe also known as Dakpo. He moved eastwards to present day Afiadenyigbaga and made a new home. Salu’s long absence from home became a concern for his relatives. They searched for him and finally located him at his new settlement. They invited him to go back home because they also felt the land was not productive but on each occasion, he repeated the statement he made to his uncle Akorlibli that “Afiadekenyigba me woa nu na ame wo du na o”. To wit, there is no land anywhere that produces food by itself to feed its inhabitants. As a result of this profound statement, Afiadenyigba became the new name for Salukope. From the historical narratives, Salu's land was separate from the settlement of Aglebe and his other relatives. With the passage of time and through intermarriages, both sides merged and became one big community; Afiadenyigba. Salu's quarters was redesignated as Afiadenyigba-gba, to wit - original Afiadenyigba or the first Afiadenyigba. This was to keep the history of the community intact. Afiadenyigba-gba is now corrupted as Afiadenyigba-ga, to wit - Big Afiadenyigba. In either case, it is the only division bearing the name of the community. Nyravase was carved out of Afiadenyigba-ga later. Apart from fishing and hunting, Salu also engaged in salt mining. After his death, he was succeeded by his first son Agbenu Salu. Agbenu planted coconut trees and made farms. At a point, Salu's land became a subject of foreign invasion and encroachment. To control the situation, Salu's nephew Kpodo Amekudzi also known as Satekla, who later became known as Klinogo was invited from Nolopi to come and help secure the eastern frontiers of the settlement. With extreme bravery, diligence, and perseverance, Klinogo neutralized all the hostile forces and consequently started his own quarters at Klinogokope. Xorve Kudowor, was also charged by Agbenu to occupy north-east of the land. Asimeti also blocked one intruder from further incursion from Kpordoave end. Asimeti yelled at him “that his wildness had ended here ”(enyravasede afisia - now known as Nyravase). Asimeti made Ametsianyigba Gakpey, his grandson to settle there. The intruder also tried to enter through another end but was once again prevented by Asimeti. Asimeti stated in reference to the intruder that "Edze axor" and the place was called Kpordzeaxor. He put his grandson Agbemehia there hence Agbemehiakope-Kpordzeaxor.

Other Relatives and Guests of Salu

Akpa was a cousin to Salu, he came to settle next to Salu and Asimeti. Akpa's children were Agbadi, Dokli and Aho. Yeborwo who was then at Agbozume came to stay with Akpa in Afiadenyigba. Kporvuvu and Fiebor, also from Agbozume joined Akpa. Later, Kporvuvu went to Agbozume and brought Ahadzi to stay with him. They made coconut farms at Nyravase. When the coconuts were being stolen, they moved from their homes in Afiadenyigbaga to settle on their farms at Nyravase. It is therefore not surprising that the majority of families in Nyravase today had their roots in Afiadenyigbaga where they still have their ancestral homes and/or Stools. Mention can be made of Gakpey's children such as Zowonu, Kudevoh, Nyamador, Alorgbodzi, Amestsianyigba, Gidi and Agbemehia. Other families with their roots in Afiadenyigbaga are Yeborwo, Kporvuvu/Makumator and Amedonu among others. Kutah like Klinogo was also a nephew of Salu. History had it that, Saba showed great bravery at warfront in which he partook with his nephew Azumah. Azumah subsequently approached Agbenu Salu to grant Saba a portion of land. Agbenu offered Saba a piece of land, north of Tetteh Pata (Dayie) for his bravery. This explains why Saba of Alagbati has his stool house in Afiadenyigbaga division. The flooding of the Keta Lagoon which affected Boko equally affected Seva. People from Seva sought shelter at Afiadenyigba. When the floods receded, they went back home but a few like Togbi Lotsu pleaded to remain on the land. Salu gave him land close to Saba. Adezeme (Emese and Nyameshie) also from Seva got Tsavanya. Togbi Dogbe Tuakli also left Salukofe and founded Dogbekorfe.

Historical Accounts and Records

In a land dispute between the Akamu family and Aglebe family in 1951, representatives of the two families testified in court that Salu was the first settler on the land and it was through him that their grandfathers got their portions of the Afiadenyigba land. Dufia Togbi Kadzahlo II who previously arbitrated the matter served as a witness to the Aglebe family. In his testimony, he also indicated that Salu was on the land before his grandparents came. As far back as 1884, two German missionaries, Zurendhend & Oswald, wrote a book about the Ewes titled SOME HOARY TRADITION OF QUITTAS AND ANLOS, in which they also recorded Salu as the founder and first settler in Anlo Afiadenyigba. The wrote that the town was previously known as Salukope. The acclaimed Ewe/Anlo historian, Mamattah also recorded Salu as the first settler in Anlo Afiadenyigba. Apart from these written documents, the history is also captured in songs and artefacts. The symbol and staff of Togbi Salu contains a hand with one finger pointed up which signifies that Salu was the first settler on the Anlo Afiadenyigba land. There is therefore no doubt or argument about the status of Salu as the founder of Anlo Afiadenyigba.

Significant Historical Monuments/Events

There were wars between the Anlos and the people of Keta which made the Keta people to migrate to settle at Somey. With more and more Anlos coming to settle at Salukope which is near Somey, there was a fear that these Anlos could wage another war with the Keta people now in Somey. For this reason, Togbi Akorlibli made Salu and Akamu take a vow to live together in peace (Dzonyinyi). The outcome of this covenant was the establishment of the Adrukpo located near Anlo Afiadenyigba R.C. School. Upon the return of Togbi Akorlibli, his wife who was then pregnant gave birth to a baby girl. He named her Dzonyigbe.

Settlement at Anlo Afiadenyigba Kpota

There was a huge fire outbreak in 1902 at Dziehe. Properties were destroyed. The colonial administration at Keta acquired land from the Wetas for the displaced victims. However, because most of the victims were fisher folks, they were reluctant or refused to relocate because of their proximity to the lagoon. Portions of that piece of land are where the Health post and Afiadenyigba Senior High School are located.

Salu Dynasty

After the passing of Togbi Salu I, his son Agbenu took over as regent. Agbenu’s first son, Efu Salu was enstooled Togbi Salu II. He passed on 25th December 1947. Hiamako Salu acted as regent after the death of Togbi Salu II. Togbi Salu III was enstooled together with Agbotadua Amegavi Klinogo on 28th March 1954. Due to the tender age of Togbi Salu III, the then Awoamefia, Togbi Sri II, asked Amegavi Klinogo to act as Togbi Salu II. He acted for almost 50 years after which Togbi took over.

EMERGENCE OF DUFIA

Chiefs have existed in Anlo Afiadenyigba for more than 100 years. In the colonial periods, four of those chiefs occupied a position of prominence and were granted power to establish tribunals to try cases. These chiefs were Togbi Salu, Togbi Kadzahlo, Togbi Sabah and Togbi Akamu. At the time, none had superior power over the other and none was considered as head over the whole community. Such was the situation in virtually all the communities. However, in order to ensure effective governance and control, the authorities decided to designate some chiefs as heads of their various communities through whom they could govern (indirect rule). This led to the appointment of what we now call "dufia" for each community. This concept was started by the colonial administration and was subsequently continued by the Awoamefia. The appointments were largely based on the relationship (friendly or familial) between the appointing authorities and the chiefs. In Anlo Afiadenyigba, Togbi Kadzahlo, whose grandfather, Drabese, was the direct grandson of Togbi Sri I, was the one appointed to be the dufia and since then the Kadzahlo Stool has been considered as the Dufia Stool of Anlo Afiadenyigba. Just recently, the same approach was used when the Awoamefia proposed the creation of new Traditional Areas within Anlo Dukor and went ahead to propose certain Stools to be elevated to Paramountcy Status. This proposal came with the designation of certain chiefs as Paramount Chiefs. These appointments, in the past and at present, have been a source of confusion and conflict in some towns where two or more chiefs claim to be the legitimate dufia of those towns. Fortunately, there has been no such conflict in Anlo Afiadenyigba. All the chiefs have collaborated and continue to collaborate with each other towards the progress and development of the town.

1.⁠ ⁠Togbi Salu - Founder/Dutor  2.⁠ ⁠Togbi Kadzahlo  3.⁠ ⁠Togbi Avuworda  4.⁠ ⁠Togbi Akamu  5.⁠ ⁠Togbi Saba  6.⁠ ⁠Togbi Axorlu  7.⁠ ⁠Togbi Tete-Dziekpor  8.⁠ ⁠Togbi Aglebe  9.⁠ ⁠Togbi Ekpey-Subo 10.⁠ ⁠Togbi Kwakutsey Boafo 11.⁠ ⁠Togbi Dzakpasu 12.⁠ ⁠Togbi Emesse

Some Divisions/Locations yet to be identified with royal houses: Nyravase and Avake-Kpota

Most of the inhabitants are fisher folk who fish in the Keta Lagoon. The women trade in fried fish between Ghana and Togo. There is a salt mining when the northern part of the lagoon dies up. Some of the men are kente weavers who sell their work in Agbozume market. Production of coconut oil is common in the area which has a large coconut plantation.

Afiadenyigba has been noted for learning and performing many music dances. Fishermen who traveled out to Benin, Togo or Nigeria learnt many dances which they brought to the town. They go to other towns to teach such drums as Gahu Dance, Gadzo, Atsiagbekor and others.

A music and dance group found in the area is the Gadzo Group ^[1] founded by the late Mortoo Agbovor in 1939, named after war dance and drum rhythm performed by the community's forefathers as they migrated into Southeastern Ghana.

The town has the Anlo Afiadenyigba Secondary School.^[2][3] The school is a second cycle institution.^[4]

There are four basic schools in Anlo Afiadenyigba which has a population of 6740.

There are more than ten chiefs in the Anlo Afiadenyigba Traditional Area. These are as follows.

The town has three assembly members which represent the town at the Keta Municipal Assembly. These are as follows