Apenotor or Afenotor' is an Ewe word which simply translates into a period of staying/resting at home.

This annual festival urges natives of Mepe Traditional area from far and near to come home.

This event is aimed at fostering family reunions, settling individual and group disputes and ultimately, pushing for a unified traditional area fighting to develop their homeland.

Apenotor is the rebirth of an earlier festival called Hatudada which was last held in 1954.

Apenotor replaced Hatudada after many years of planning and consultation with the gods of the land.

It was instituted in 1940 during the reign of Togbui Tetteh Dugbazah IV and has since existed till today.

Apenorto festival starts towards the end of July and extends its climax to the first Saturday of August on which a grand durbar of chiefs is held.

One special highlight of the Apenotor festival is ‘Gbedziyiyi’ by the traditional rulers.

‘Gbedziyiyi’ is the assembly of members of various clans and dance groups at a point outside the town where they would sing as they wait for the Chief and elders to return from the sacred place/forest.

The people of Mepe, are believed to have migrated from Notsie with a brief stay at Tsevie just north of Lome, Togo before finally settling at their present location.

They speak predominantly Ewe.

Watch Apenotor Festival below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2wuVcsVhB8&feature=youtu.be