Andanis, Abudus unite to celebrate Damba
For the first time in decades, the people of Dagbon on Sunday celebrated this year’s Damba Festival in memorable style.
Both the Andani and the Abudu Royal families came together in the spirit of unity to commemorate the time-tested event at the Gbewaa Palace in Yendi.
While the Regent of Dagbon, Kampakuya Na Abdulai Andani, sat in state to supervise the ceremony, the Bamvim-Lana, Abdulai Mahama, and the Sunson-Na, Saani Amidu II, led the Abudu retinue of chiefs to the event to join in the festivities that were observed in a peaceful atmosphere.
The Northern Regional Minister, Mr Bede Ziedeng; his deputy, Alhaji A.B.A. Fuseini; some ministers of state and members of Parliament from the area, district chief executives and various youth leaders from both sides of the chieftaincy divide also graced the occasion.
The festival, which has not been celebrated in Yendi for more than 40 years, also attracted people from all walks of life who were adorned in their colourful smocks of varying sizes and shapes as they responded to the throbbing beat from the gong-gong and “gonje” strings.
The immaculately dressed sub-chiefs rode on their decorated horses and danced majestically to beats of the “Lungsi” drummers, amidst the firing of musketry.
Earlier in the morning, the necessary rituals to commemorate the day had been performed at the palace.
Regional Minister
Mr Ziedeng described this year’s festival as very significant, since it was the first time in recent years that the two main protagonists in the Dagbon chieftaincy divide had agreed to celebrate the festival together at the Gbewaa Palace.
He underlined the significance of peace and harmony in the development process and commended the two sides for their initiative towards the attainment of peace in the area.
“You should not see yourselves as Abudus or Andanis but as a united people who are determined to facilitate peace, development and prosperity,” Mr Ziedeng admonished them.
The minister said the region could not afford to continue spending its limited resources on conflict management and resolution when it had inadequate infrastructure and other social amenities.
Regent of Dagbon
Na Abdulai Andani, who is also the acting President of the Dagbon Traditional Council, encouraged his kinsmen all over the world to come together as brothers and sisters to chart a new course for the accelerated development of the area.
He noted that the long years of division, suspicion and conflict had had devastating effects on the growth of the area and the people.
“Our common enemies are the prevailing ignorance, diseases and poverty which we should rally together to fight to give hope and opportunities to our generation and those yet unborn.
“We must build on the foundations our forefathers bequeathed us, grow a strong successful nation and leave a proud and enduring story for our children,” the Kampakuya-Na added.
The decision by the leadership of the two families to celebrate this year’s Damba Festival together was arrived at, at a meeting with the Northern Regional Security Committee (REGSEC) in Tamale on December 30, last year.
The festival, which is a blend of Islam and tradition, is celebrated by majority of the Muslim-dominated communities in northern Ghana, including Dagombas, Nanumbas, Gonjas and Mamprusis.
It marks the birth and subsequent naming of Prophet Muhammed (S.A.W), the Founder of Islam, and it is used to offer sacrifices to show appreciation to Allah and also chart a new course for the coming year.