The Chale Wote Street Art Festival also known as Chale Wote is an alternative platform that brings art, music, dance and performances out into the streets to be showcased. The festival targets exchanges between scores of local and international artists and patrons by creating and appreciating artwork.
According to history, the festival is said to be celebrated by the Gas a week after Homowo and held in August annually. It is believed that the Chale Wote Festival is celebrated to remember the fight which came up between the Asantes and the Gas. The fight came about when the Asantes ate the food prepared by the Gas; “kpokpoi”. The Gas got offended and began to run after the Ashantis. While on the run, the Ashantis left their footwear which was the ‘chale wote’.
The festival is celebrated in Jamestown on the streets in Accra, Greater Region. From improvements, the festival has moved on from the open street gallery (Jamestown) to other art spaces such as Nubuke.
The art of walking is crucial to the festival. During Chale Wote, walking takes the form of chiefs’ processions, priests’ meditative movement through specific sites and personal expressions of creativity and fashion. The surge of movement reflects the Ga word “chale wote” which means; friend, let’s go.
The festival aims to engage with a broad audience by creating art and performances in public spaces. Most activities take place at Cleland Road and at two forts that were once colonial trading posts. Ussher Fort which was built by the Dutch in 1649 and James Fort which was also built by the British in 1673.
Days ahead of the main Chale Wote event, organizers hold a procession through town with local chiefs and priests. This day acknowledges the historical and spiritual context of Jamestown and seeks blessings from the local community and the ancestral spirits.
During the festival, activities such as photo exhibition, street painting, Graffiti Murals, interactive installation, street boxing, movie screening, a procession of cultures and design labs are held.
The Chale Wote festival seeks to bring lots of people together to foster unity. It promotes culture and serves as a platform where people display their talents and artworks. Moreover, it’s a tourism bait that generates income to the country.
