History Behind The Ewe Song ‘MIVU AGBOA MAYIA’


There was a point in history when Ewes defied all odds and revolted against the rule of Torgbui (King) Agokoli in Notsie.  Torgbui Agorkoli was a ruler of Notsie, a town in southeast Togo. During his rule, the Ewes of Ghana escaped from Notsie to their present land. He ruled the Ewes with an iron fist and had any person who spoke against him put on trial and inevitably found guilty, which meant a death sentence.

The agitation to leave Notsie and the wrath of Agorgoli was overwhelming that the people used all means, including music and dance to register their protest and plan their strategies for escape. In the song below, the composer demands the warriors of Notsie to open the gates and permit the people (who were eager to return to Dahomey, their previous ancestral home prior to settlement in Notsie) to leave. 

 Below is the lyrics of the song 

Song: Mivu Agboa Mayia

Mivu agboa Mayia
Kaleawoe!
Dahume aklasuawoe,
Mivu agboa Mayi.
Kaleawoe mivu agboa mayi,
Dahume.

Literal Translation
Open the gates and let me go,
The warriors!
The Dahumey mysterious fighters
Open the gates and let me go (to)
Dahomey (the ancestral home).


 Story by Celestain Dogbey

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