The Gbewaa Palace has unveiled the activities for the 2024 Damba Festival celebrations scheduled for September 15 to September 22 on the theme “Culture For Peace Building And Resilience to Climate Change in Dagbon.”
A cultural event which hitherto was mostly characterised by only dancing, singing traditional drumming, wearing of patterned smocks and other traditional costumes has evolved to incorporate new dimensions focused on women and youth empowerment, business growth, peaceful coexistence and collective action against climate change.
While promoting the rich cultural heritage of Dagbon, the festival will serve as a catalyst for fostering and consolidating peace, ensuring social cohesion, promoting entrepreneurship and raising awareness on climate change in Dagbon especially at the time the Kingdom is hit with a severe dry spell.
The 2024 Damba Festival celebrations will have a change in approach and will feature activities that will attract tourists’ attention to Dagbon as well as serve as a platform where the voice of Dagbon can be registered on impactful global issues.
The following are some activities that will be carried out as part of the celebration:
An activity dubbed “Women Leadership Training” aimed to provide mentorship and empowerment to women leaders will be the curtain raiser for the 2024 Damba activities
scheduled to take place on September 10 at the forecourt of the Gbewaa Palace.
Also, on September 11 and 12 Youth in SMEs Coaching program will be held to provide entrepreneurship training and mentorship to small and medium-size businesses.
Ladies Gala matches will be held from September 16 to September 20 at the Yendi AstroTurf park to promote the football talents of women in Dagbon.
Additionally, on September 19, Horse Riding and Dance Challenge will be held at the Gbewaa Palace to showcase the Dagbon’s horse riding and dance skills.
Furthermore, September 20 and September 21 will witness the Peace Musical Concert that will feature local music talents in Dagbon to promote social cohesion and peace. Alongside the Peace Musical Concert on September 21 is a Cooking Competition to be held at the Gbewaa Palace.
“Bielikulisi” which literally means farewell will be held on September 22 to mark the end of the 2024 Damba celebrations.
Background
The Damba festival originated as a celebration of the birthday of Prophet Muhammad(PBUH) and has evolved into a traditional festival of the Dagbamba people. The festival gained cultural prominence under Naa Zanjina, the 18th Yaa Naa. During the celebration, traditional activities are performed alongside Islamic rites to show the festival’s connection to Islam.
The Damba festival is celebrated on the Third (3rd) month of the Dagbamba lunar calendar known as “Damba Goli(Moon)” from 11th to 18th which coincides with the Third month of the Islamic calendar, Rabi-al-Awwal, the birth month of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Writer: Mohammed Hafiz Diawudeen || North Situation Room
Also Read….https://northsituationroom.com/2024/09/05/dagbon-kingdom-roots-of-the-dagomba-people/?amp=1
