The 13 day Ghanian New Year begins on this day. A series of special ritual dances are performed on the first eleven days of the festival to dispel all evil spirits and honor the souls of the departed. The shrines of beneficial spirits are rituually purified on the 12^th day, and a joyous celebration of the new year takes place on the 13^th day.
This day is sacred to Ua Zit, A serpent-goddess of the ancient Egyptian religion.