A heavy and expectant crowd surrounded Cape Coast Lagoon to gleefully engage in the annual casting of the fisherman's net into the water.
For generations the casting of the fisherman’s net has been a symbol of local prosperity in harvesting. If the fish are caught in the net then it forecasts an abundant harvest for the coming year. If none become entrapped in the net then the locals will have a sparse harvest for the following twelve months.
The surrounding sandy beach and palm trees were a serene yet festive setting for the flourish of colours and faces that covered the area around the lagoon.
The sun beat down on the site of the lagoon and the sky became a canvas of blue, which was welcome but uncharacteristic of the weather in the recent weeks.
The event took place after the festivities of the annual boat-race, just meters away from the scene of the ceremonial fishing. Crowds of people, after clapping, cheering and chanting at the boat-race became mellowed as they ambled across the road to the lagoon.
A buzz of excitement, anticipation and expectancy rippled throughout the crowded beachfront almost in perfect coincidence with the crashing of the seas waves on the beach, as onlookers observed the ceremonial fisherman enter the waters with his net ready to be cast and an air of prophecy ensue.
Chiefs, locals and those who had travelled some distance gathered together practically shoulder to shoulder to partake in the festival’s prestigious event waited with baited breath to see the outcome of this year’s harvest ritual.
The climax of the event played out to a soundtrack of chants and cheers and the fisherman pulled his net out of the water triumphantly with an abundance of fish floundering in its entanglement.The Cape Coast Festival and its events will continue through to the end of the week and the ceremonial fishing certainly had cast a veil of prosperity and good will amongst the coastal town and its residents as they may look forward to a strong and healthy harvest this year.
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