A Dipo Queen mother, Madam Korkor Odonkor, has said that the rite is a cherished cultural practice of the Dangme people, which marks a girl’s transition from childhood into womanhood.
She said Dipo teaches Dangme girls discipline, moral values, respect and prepares them for responsible adulthood.
Every year, the Dipo rite starts from the 1st week of April and ends by 1st May.
According to Nene Peter Tekpertey Odonkor, the ritual is not fetish.
He explained that the stage where the girls are required to go almost naked in public indicates that they have successfully been through the performance.
“During the rite, the Dipo girls are beautifully dressed and adorned with exquisite valuable traditional beads and ornaments, reflecting the richness of our heritage,” he said.
After the beading ceremony, they proudly walk through the town radiating grace, confidence and elegance for all to see.
Dipo is marked with a joyful procession as the girls celebrate their transition into womanhood in such a majestic and colorful way.
By Nenebi Ayertey David
