The Origin of the word ‘Ayigbe’
According to history, some Gas from Accra, migrated to Aneho in Togo in the 17th century after a misunderstanding in the Ga state under one of their Kings. They took some stools away with them. After many years that King died. The Migrants were led by one of their chiefs. That leader also died at Aneho. After many years when peace returned to Ga, emissaries were sent to Aneho to persuade the Aneho Gas to return. Note that they had integrated into the Aneho society and consequently many, if not all had forgotten their mother tongue, the Ga language. The people had another leader called Nii Ayi. When the emissaries arrived at Aneho, of course sent by their new King and elders from Ga they delivered their King's message to Nii Ayi and his elders. The Aneho Gas couldn't speak the Ga language any longer. They understood and spoke Ewe. The request to Nii Ayi and hi people was that they should return to Ga and bring the stools. Ayi who couldn't speak Ga, was angry and retorted " me gbe", " me gbe", ie I refuse. The emissaries tried to persuade Nii Ayi without success. They left back to Ga without the people and the stools. When they arrived back home, they reported that they met Nii Ayi who couldn't speak the Ga language and was only saying " me gbe, me gbe " . As a result the Gas started calling their kindred at Aneho, Ayi's people, "Ayi gbe" people. Later some of them returned to Ga. These people were considered thieves as they had carried stools away and refused to return them. They were therefore called Ayi gbe people. Ayi's people who had "gbe"' refused to return the stools they had stolen and taken away. With time, all who spoke Ewe including Ayi's people were referred to pejoratively or derogatorily as "Ayigbe". Gas are the original Ayigbe. In the past, before independence and after, if a thief, irrespective of his tribe was caught or being chased for apprehension in Accra, the Gas would shout, " "Ayigbe dzulor". I don't know if that persists. If you go to any Ga community and ask any Ga elder, you will be told this history. Even some of the young Gas are aware, however due to the unpleasant connotation they may not tell you the truth, but most of them know this history. Many, if not all Ghanaian believe that Ayigbe is the local or Ghanaian name of Ewes and that EWE is the English name of Ewe speakers. Never allow anybody to call you Ayigbe. It is ignorance of history and mischief. If you go to OSU, in Accra today you will find a quarter of community called Aneho, OSU ANEHO. right now as I type this post, there are native Gas at Aneho in Togo, some of whom speak Ga and have Ga names. They celebrate Homowo at Aneho. Some even return to Ghana, Accra for that matter, to celebrate homowo. Thanks.
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