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 Dzamaklo Productions, the performance explored 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 Xetoto 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.
This symbolic riddle weaves through the performance as a recurring motif. The two fowls — representing youth and the older generation — 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 moved, challenged, and left to grapple with the play’s core — a burden shared by all.
The production’s visual and sonic choices — stark but deliberate — allowed moments of stillness to land, inviting the community to reflect on intergenerational relationships, tradition, and social change. The play’s creators and performers have been lauded for managing to blend cultural authenticity with theatrical innovation.
As the riddle of the mature chicken closes its run, it leaves behind a trail of questions — deliberately unanswered — that challenge the community to reassess 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-led storytelling and youth empowerment through arts continues to make a lasting impact in the region.
