Public Project
Takoradi Masquerade Festival
Summary
Each December, the city of Takoradi bursts into colour and rhythm with the annual Fancy Dress Festival, known locally as Ankos. Rooted in community and creativity, the festival brings together masquerade groups who parade through the streets in elaborate costumes, accompanied by brass band music, drumming, and dance. The festival is more than a spectacle, it is pride, love, and legacy. Families and neighbourhoods dedicate months to designing costumes, rehearsing dances, and preparing for the day. The artistry is passed down through generations, with children learning from parents and elders.
For the people of Takoradi, the festival is more than a spectacle, it is pride, love, and legacy. Families and neighbourhoods dedicate months to designing costumes, rehearsing dances, and preparing for the day. The artistry is passed down through generations, with children learning from parents and elders, ensuring the tradition remains alive and evolving.
At its heart, Ankos is also about spirited rivalry: masquerade groups compete with flair, each striving to outshine the others in costume, rhythm, and performance. Yet beyond the competition lies a deeper unity, an affirmation of identity, belonging, and the joy of coming together. Each mask, each dance step, is part of a living archive of memory and celebration, carrying forward the heartbeat of Takoradi.
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