Abstract: The woman is a significant figure in the development of Avatime community. People of Avatime recognize and value the role of women in society and therefore mark the transition of a female from girlhood to womanhood. The problem is that educational values are rooted in the celebration of this transition called kusakͻkͻ initiation rites, yet they have not been described, discussed or documented, therefore they could be lost. Moreover, considerable amounts of vital educational information embodied in kusakͻkͻ initiation rites are not being taught in the schools of Avatime. Sadly, the rich cultural heritage of educational values which should be preserved have not been documented to put the area in the spotlight of the world. It was imperative to identify, describe and discuss effectively the educational values of kusakͻkͻ initiation rites of Avatime as a resource material for art education. The study will give exposure of a very important cultural activity and the dynamism of indigenous cultural practices that are hidden in this special initiation rites. This research adopted a qualitative approach, specifically ethnography, to collect data through observation and interviews. The main findings are that, the Avatimes mark the passage of their girls into womanhood by performing series of rituals known as kusakͻkͻ as educational values are evident in the rituals. The educational values include Morals (eboegbᾶ), Gratitude (dasedodo), Respect (kunͻbuo), Religious Values (Kusͻliͻ) Motherhood (obinee), Protection, Manners (Ligbazeze gba), Beauty (kupedi), Cleanliness, (kudradra), Punctuality or Time values (ͻnyͻaʋakugaga), Diligence, (Kubuete), Endurance, Treasures (eɣola)
Recommendations were that there should be collaboration between the pastors and the custodians of Avatime traditional area to erase the notion that there are sacrilegious beliefs and superstitions embedded in kusakͻkͻ rites. Control measures should be instituted to curb promiscuity in the area. Finally, it is highly recommended that this document should be incorporated in the Educational Curriculum to put the values of kusakͻkͻ in the spotlight of the world.
Keywords: Educational values, womanhood, transition, cultural heritage, initiation rites.
Title: Educational Values of Kusakͻkͻ Initiation Rites of Avatime in the Volta Region of Ghana
Author: Victor Dedume, Joseph Osei, Rose Dogbey
International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research
ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online)
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