The Jewish Yom Kippur (Lev. 16:11-22) and its Relationship with Effutu Aboakyer Festival: A Theological Reflection
Isaac Boaheng 
& Ebenezer Asibu-Dadzie Jnr
Issue: Vol.10 No. 5 May 2024 Issue Article 2 pp.132-146
DOI : https://doi.org/10.38159/erats.20241052| Published online 3rd May, 2024.
© 2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
This paper explored the parallels between the Jewish Yom Kippur ritual as described in Leviticus 16:11-22 and the Effutu Aboakyer festival celebrated by the Effutu people of Ghana, West Africa. Drawing upon anthropological and sociological methodologies, the study conducted a close exegesis of Leviticus 16:11–22, elucidating its atoning rituals and practices. By situating these rituals within the cultural context of the Effutu community, the paper unveiled remarkable similarities between the Yom Kippur observance and the Aboakyer festival. The chosen methodology acknowledged Scripture’s inherent socio-cultural insights and engages with anthropological research to enrich understanding. The study argued that atonement in traditional festivals does not achieve salvation for humanity; only Jesus’ sacrifice saves. Ultimately, this exploration offers theological reflections that resonate with both African and biblical contexts, shedding light on the enduring relevance of ancient rituals in contemporary cultural frameworks.
Keywords: Christ, Effutu Aboakyer Festival, Christ, Leviticus 16, Yom Kippur
Averbeck, R. E. New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology and Exegesis. Grand Rapids, Mich: Zondervan Academic, 2012.
Baker, David W., and Arnold, Bill T, eds. The Face of Old Testament: A Survey of Contemporary Approaches. Grand Rapids, Mich. Baker Academic, 1999.
Bellinger, William H. Leviticus, and Numbers. New International Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament 3. Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson, 2001.
Boaheng, Isaac. “A Contextual Theology of Atonement for the Akan Community of Ghana.” Ph.D. diss., University of Free State, 2021.
Brown, Kwesi Ewusi. “Social Conflicts in Contemporary Effutu Festivals.” Masters Thesis, Bowling Green State University, 2005.
Carter, Charles E. “Opening Windows onto Biblical Worlds: Applying the Social Sciecnes to Hebrew Scriptures,” in The Face of Old Testament Studies: A Survey of Contemporary Approaches, ed. David W. Baker and Bill T. Arnold. Grand Rapids, Mich: Baker Books: Apollos, 1999.
Ephirim-Donkor, Anthony. The Making of an African King: Patrilineal and Matrilineal Struggle among the Effutu of Ghana. Trenton, NJ: African World Press, 2000.
Gane, Roy. Cult and Character: Purification Offerings, Day of Atonement, and Theodicy. Winona Lake, Ind: Eisenbrauns, 2005.
Gerstenberger, Erhard S. Leviticus: A Commentary. Old Testament Library. Louisville, Ky: Westminster John Knox, 1996.
Gilders, William K. “Anthropological Approaches: Ritual in Leviticus 8, Real or Rhetorical?” in Method Matters: Essays on the Interpretation of the Hebrew Bible in Honor of David L. Petersen., Resources for Biblical Study 56 . Atlanta: SBL, 2009.
Gorman, Frank H. Leviticus: Divine Presence and Community. International Theological Commentary. Grand Rapids, Mich: Eerdmans, 1998.
Gyeedu, Neenyi Ackom. “Preparations for Aboakyer Festival.” Interview, 31 October 2023.
Hagan, George Panyin. Divided We Stand: A Study of Social Change among the Effutu of Coastal Ghana. Trondheim Studies in History. African Series no. 29, no. 2. Trondheim: Dept. of History, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 2000.
Hartley, John E. Leviticus. World Biblical Commentary. Vol 4. Dallas: Word Books Publisher, 1992.
Jenson, Philip P. Graded Holiness: A Key to the Priestly Conception of the World. Old Testament Studies. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1992.
Kamionkowski, Tamar S. Leviticus: A Wisdom Commentary. Edited by Lauress Wilkins Lawrence and Barbara E. Reid. Vol. 3. Minnesota: Liturgical Press, 2018.
Keil, Carl F. and Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson, 1982.
Levine, Baruch A. The JPS Torah Commentary: Leviticus. Philadelphia: JPS, 1989.
Maccoby, Hyam. Ritual and Morality: The Ritual Purity System and Its Place in Judaism. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1999.
Milgrom, Jacob. Leviticus 1-16: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary. Anchor Bible 3. New York: Doubleday, 1991.
Noth, Martin. Leviticus: A Commentary. Old Testament Library; London: SMC Press, 1977.
Rooker, Mark F. Leviticus. Edited by Ray Clendenen. New American Commentary 3A. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 2000.
Steens, Kathelijne. “Sin, Impurity, and Community in Leviticus 16.” Honor’s Thesis; Wellesley College, 2018.
Steinberg, Naomi .“Sociological Approaches: Toward a Sociology of Childhood in the Hebrew Bible” in Method Matters: Essays on the Interpretation of the Hebrew Bible in Honor of David L. Petersen., Resources for Biblical Study 56. Atlanta: SBL, 2009.
Takyi, Emmanuel H. “A Comparative Study of the Atonement Concept in the Aboakyer Festival of the Effutu Tribe in Ghana and the Yom Kippur Festival of the Old Testament: Implications for Adventist Mission Among the Effutu.” Ph.D. diss., Andrews University, 2015.
Wenham, Gordon J. The Book of Leviticus. New International Commentary on the Old Testament; Grand Rapids, Mich: Eerdmans, 1979.
Wyllie, Robert W. “The ‘Aboakyer’ of the Effutu: A Critique of Meyerowitz’s Account.” Africa: Journal of the International African Institute.” 37.1 (1967): 81–85.
Isaac Boaheng holds a PhD in Theology from the University of the Free State, South Africa. He is a Senior Lecturer in Theology and Christian Ethics at the Christian Service University College, Ghana, and a Research Fellow at the Department of Biblical and Religion Studies, University of the Free State, South Africa.
Ebenezer Asibu-Dadzie Jnr. is an ordained minister of the Methodist Church Ghana who is currently pursuing his doctoral studies. His research interest lies in Biblical Studies, Translation Studies, African Christianity and Practical Theology with emphasis on the African context.
Boaheng, Isaac and Ebenezer Asibu-Dadzie Jnr. “The Jewish Yom Kippur (Lev. 16:11-22) and its Relationship with Effutu Aboakyer Festival: A Theological Reflection,” E-Journal of Religious and Theological Studies, 10 no.5 (2024): 132-146. https://doi.org/10.38159/erats.20241052
© 2024 The Author(s). Published and Maintained by Noyam Journals. This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Featured
The Hidden Bones Apocalypse: The Marker, Its Message, and their Hiddenness
The Groaning of Creation (Romans 8:19-22) and the Ecological Devastation of the Niger Delta, Nigeria
Evangelisation of all Creation: An Analysis of the Neglected Target Group of Mark 16:15
The Hidden Bones Apocalypse: The Marker, Its Message, and their Hiddenness
Others
