History

The Gbidukor or Gbi State comprises two traditional areas; Hohoe and Peki. Hohoe area is referred to as Gbidzigbe or Gbi North and Peki area is known as Gbinyigbe or Gbi South. Togbega Gabusu VI is the Paramount Chief of Gbidzigbe or Hohoe area and Togbe Kwadzo Dei XI is the Paramount Chief of Peki area. The people of Gbidukor are known as Gbis and they speak Ewe. The Gbis are people of the same blood but the events of history have separated and put them 56miles apart; all in the Volta Region. Through the dynamism and ceaseless efforts of her citizens, a reunification was fought and made possible resulting in an annual celebration of Gbidukorza or Gbi State Festival in commemoration of the reunification. The celebration is alternated annually with the people of Peki moving en mass to Hohoe to celebrate the festival and vice versa.

History has it that the Gbis migrated from Ketu in the Republic of Nigeria westward through rough terrain and encountered many hazards until they finally got to Glime or Notsie in the Republic of Togo. They remained in Notsie under the despotic rule of King Agorkorli for sometime and could no longer bear it so they broke the walls of Notsie to assert their freedom. They migrated further westward and finally settled near a very dependable river called Dayi in the Republic of Ghana. In the course of their journey it was noticed at one of the temporary settlements that a great chunk of their kinsmen were missing. It became necessary to fight for their recovery. A team of valiants were constituted with men and women of ability from each of the main clan units. Originally, there were seven (7) clan units. These people were assigned to fetch their lost brethren back to the fold. The search party went further west of the Volta River around where the present Adomi/Atimpoku township is located and since they were not used to water body they could not cross. They waited for the water to dry up during harmattan to enable them cross but this was never possible. They, while waiting started farming and became very prosperous; until the Akwamus who had suffered from the Akim and Akwapim attacks and were in the vicinity started raiding their farms and attacking their community structure. This event made them retract to the present location near Amimli. They became known as the Pekis. Those who remained up North became the Gbis or Pekipon. All these events took place about the early sixteen century which is about 400 years ago.

The desire to reunite has ever since been there. It was a natural urge. In 1988 some well-meaning citizens of the two communities, Hohoe now to be addressed as Gbidzigbe and Peki now to be addressed Gbinyigbe, came together and out of it was born a delegates conference and the highest executive organizing body, the National Steering Committee. Later, two Home Committees known as Gbidzigbe and Gbinyigbe Steering Committees where formed. Eight years after, it was resolved that reunification must be marked with an annual celebration which was christened Gbidukorza. This festival started in 1995 and continues each year. It is celebrated for four days. The main events are a welcome ceremony known as Miawoezor at the very first town of the hosting side (from the visiting side) on Friday. On Saturday, a grand durbar is held. In the evening, there is a State Dance. Sunday is reserved for Inter-Denominational Thanksgiving Church Service in all towns; Monday is reserved for development meetings. Gbidukorza is sponsored by the towns that constitute the state as well as corporate institutions across the country. The festival is rated as a first class festival above all festivals in the Volta Region.