Xetoto Arts Foundation Illuminates Keta with Powerful New Theatre Production
The Xetoto Arts Foundation, known for its commitment to promoting tourism and cultural heritage in the Volta Region, recently captivated audiences with its latest theatre production. Staged at the Keta Aborigines Beach Resort in collaboration with Dzomoko Productions, the performance delved deep into themes of identity, politics, resilience, parenting and community, resonating profoundly with attendees.
Founded in 2017, the Xetoto Arts Foundation—'Xetoto' meaning "sunrise" in Ewe—has consistently aimed to awaken and showcase the talents of Keta's youth through various artistic endeavors. Their annual events, including the Ɣetoto Arts Festival, have become significant cultural highlights, drawing attention to the rich traditions and stories of the Anlo people.
This recent production stands as a testament to the foundation's mission, blending traditional narratives with contemporary issues to create a compelling theatrical experience.
Under the golden skies of Keta, the Xetoto Arts Foundation once again brought its vibrant creativity to the stage with a new powerful theatre production titled The Riddle of the Mature Chicken. Staged at the scenic Keta Aborigines Beach Resort, the production offered more than just entertainment—it ignited a community-wide conversation on generational power, truth, and the complex dance between age and wisdom.
At the heart of the play is a compelling philosophical question: Must the elderly always hold the mantle of truth in our society? The narrative interrogates the deeply embedded societal notion that age is synonymous with wisdom, and that the voices of youth—though passionate and perceptive—are often dismissed as mere "whispers in the wind."
Using metaphor and folklore, the play centers around a riddle:
“Two fowls dwell on a quiet farm —
One lays at the first light of dawn, the other as twilight falls.
In this tangled tale of feathers and time...
Tell me, who came first? Who bears the age-old crown?”
This symbolic riddle weaves through the performance as a recurring motif. The two fowls—representing youth and the elderly—mirror the generational tensions in the story. The younger character, brimming with insight and conviction, dares to challenge the status quo, only to be silenced by elders unwilling to admit their fallibility. The question, “Why is it so hard for the old to say, ‘I was wrong’?” echoes powerfully through the dialogue, bringing to light the emotional and cultural weight carried by such an admission in traditional societies.
The minimalist set design placed full emphasis on performance and storytelling. Through expressive choreography, haunting chants, and rhythmic drumming, the actors embodied both the conflict and the yearning for reconciliation between generations. Audiences were left pondering: Is truth a birthright of age—or a burden shared by all?
Directed by the foundation’s artistic lead, the production is both timely and timeless, offering a critique of intergenerational dynamics not only in Anlo culture but across many African societies. Xetoto Arts Foundation’s choice to present such a bold, introspective theme speaks to its core mission: using theatre as a mirror and catalyst for social introspection and growth.
Audience were left visibly moved, with one attendee commenting, “It’s the kind of play that doesn’t end with the curtain. It stays with you. It makes you think about who you listen to, and why.”
As The riddle of the mature chicken closes its run, it leaves behind a trail of questions—deliberately unanswered—that challenges the community to reexamine how knowledge, truth, and respect are distributed across generations.
Attendees have praised the performance for its emotional depth and cultural authenticity.
The foundation's dedication to community development and youth empowerment through arts continues to make a lasting impact in the region. As they look forward to future projects, the Xetoto Arts Foundation remains a beacon of cultural renaissance in Keta.
For more information on upcoming events or to support the Xetoto Arts Foundation, please contact- +233248056797
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