The Abissa festival is dedicated to the Akan supreme deity named Nyamie. A festival where forgiveness and rebirth are a must. It is celebrated during the last week of October in Grand-Bassam, Cote d’Ivoire.
Men and women can profess their true love and old hurts as confessions are allowed to come tumbling out of one’s mouth without fear.
The festival is celebrated by Nzema people, also called the Ndenye or Apollonians. They are people of the Akan tribe which reside in Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire. The Nzema are divided into the Evalue, Dwira, Ellembelle and Jomoro.
The word “Abissa” means the question and participants are obligated to truthfully answer whatever is asked of them which means brutal honesty is the name of the game.