Creative Beading

does anyone know about Krobo “Dipo” ceremony?

I need to understand more in depth the coming of age ceremony called dipo in Ghana.Krobo is a place in Ghana right? Why are beads so important in this ceremony? I know they represent wealth of the family but why beads? Where does the “Tekpete” (sacred stone) come from, and why is it so important? How is the girl tested to see if she is a virgin or not? and how is the stone used to determine virginity? and at what age are girls more likely to undergo this ceremony? does this ceremony give the girls the passage for marriage even to the ones that are still very young like 6 years of age?

Dipo, celebrated by the Krobos, is a ceremony that marks the entry of young girls into adulthood.

The ceremony officially lasts about five days, but pre-ritual preparation requires three weeks.

The five-day ceremony consists of dancing, eating and merry-making.

Once the young girl attains the age of 10, she is ready for the Dipo ceremony.

Although the goal of the ceremony is to celebrate a young girl’s new maturity, it is also aimed at teaching morals so that the young women grow up disciplined enough to control their sexuality and prevent them from premature motherhood and unwanted babies.

To afford the best possible selection, the girl will travel with her female mentor to nearby villages to perform the ceremony.

She takes with her all the glass beads owned by her family which represent wealth among the Krobos.

The more beaded necklaces, bracelets and other adornments she wears, the more attractive she will be.

Formerly, the girls performed the ceremony wearing nothing but their glass beads, but today, all girls wear loincloth.

Krobo women are regarded throughout the country as making the most suitable wives.

Beads are widely used througout Africa to denote, culture,tribe,wealth,social status etc.

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