History has it that, Atito was founded around the early 17th centuries. The settlement was founded by Togbi Xemalɔdzo, Aɖɛɖu and Abayɛ, and two female siblings there are sons of Akuma; and a grandson of Togbi Adeladzea I Awoamefia of Anlo State from Anloga. They were hunters.
The name Atito was coined as a result of a BIG HOLLOWED TREE which Tɔgbi Xemalɔdzo used as a shelter and where he kept his games during his hunting expeditions. The name Atito simply means a Hollowed Tree hence the appellation "Ati wɔato me wɔa akpala o, ewɔ akpala aɖiɖɛwo be ɖe me". This unique tree once stood at where the Bate clan stool house (Zikpuixɔ) is now located.
Originally Togbi Adeladza I, was the first person to set foot on Atito land for a hunting. History had it that, when Togbi Adeladza I, reached a forest at Atito through his hunting expeditions, he entered the forest only to find himself face to face with a mysterious looking old man.
He was seated under a neem tree surrounded with white dove, fowls and golden snake, earthenware was on his lap feeding the fowls, and the doves. He covered his head with white and black cloth (Aclaler) He spoke to Togbi Adeladza and asked several questions to ascertain who he was, where he came from and what had brought him to the forest.
The mysterious old man indicated that he was the owner of the forest. He pointed to a portion of the forest where he claimed to live (Gbenuie).
The main occupation of the people in the early days was hunting, and later fishing, farming and mat weaving. The only natural mineral resource we have is salt, and Firewood. Some notable creeks that belong to Atito are: Adzame, Adzatɔυu, Batɔme, Atratoe, Gbenyigbenyi, Mledzu, Naklaletame and the Land behind Atratoe and Bator known as Aforlifo detsikui.
Atito is the only town among the 36 states of Anlo which has only one chief. Our forebears did not want any needless conflicts in the settlement hence one leader.
Atito has different clans, and our forebears desired every clan to settle at one place as a community The first of the many clans that came and founded the settlement was the Bate. They settle at Floganu and are the royals of the community.
The Atito community has four main Divisions (Tokorwo). These are Floganu, Anyiehe, Afegame and Torkoe.
War was very prevalent in early days of the settlement. During the reigns of Tɔgbi Xemalɔdzo. As the saying goes, “if you wish for peace, prepare for war” There was a war between the indigenes of Atito and Adas which required a huge capital to mobilize and marshal up men against the Adas. Our forebears sought financial support and called their nephews and leased the land to them. The below are the names of the families. 1. Akumey Geli – Atito 2.Korsi Kornu –Atito/Srogbe 3. Adaku –Tregui 4. Yali –Atito/Seva 5. Forniklo – Alakple, 6. Kluvi –Atito/Alakple, 7. Nusenu – Atito/Seva. using the Eastern portion of our land as collateral.
The land of Atito is guarded and protected by three main supreme deities and other subordinate deities: Togbui Gbenufia, Tɔgbi Ayida, and Ada5e (Ada) and others. These Deities were on the land before the ancestors of Anlo (Dogboawo) arrived from Nortsie to their present settlements
The taboos attributed to these deities or gods are regarded as commandments in Atito and are observed as such. For example;
1. Wearing of shirts, blouses/tops and sandals are prohibited within the vicinity of Togbi Gbenufia Shrine.
2. It is a taboo for the people of Atito to shout aloud with the intention of drawing attention to ones wares (do bublu).
3. It is a taboo to sweep in the night
Noise is made by clapping the hands against the mouth (asi fu nu) prohibited
4. It is a taboo to make love on bare ground.
5. It is a taboo for a woman who is having menstruation to enter into the shrine
6.It is prohibited to whistle in the night
In Atito at present, anyone who disobeys any of these taboos is greeted with “ho ho pe” an expression used to drive away evil spirits and unwanted people from the community; otherwise Asafo group will play War Drums (Awawu) to drive such people (victim) out of the town. It is believed that such people (the victim) will suffer some calamity after facing such action.
There are other deities acquired by the ancestors after their arrival in Atito. They are Tornugla, Kpetsu, Duavoe, Adza, Aza, Hafor, Mama Nyaga Blewor, Torgbi Kokomatsika, Deve, Torgbi Tolegba, Atsivodu, Dzegble, Amega Horgbato, Tagborlo, Agbosu, Kpedeke (Halo worwor deity), Awuia, Yewe cults, Afa Cults, and other deities for various families in Atito.
Source:
Dumega Kwabla Awadzi
Dumega Akapkosu Aglago
Dumeg Denu Zanu
Togbi Xemalordzo Dedu II, Dufia of Atito
Compiled by John Fiagbeto Alias Dumevi Legacy
Founder Atito Historical Research Group
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