[ 2014-01-21 ]

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.

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.

Source - Daily Graphic

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