Peace in Dagbon blossoms as Yendi observes Bugum festival for the first time in 17 years.
Yesterday the people of Dagbon celebrated the fire festival locally known in Dagbani as BUGUM festival. The festival is one of the main festivals celebrated by the people of the land.
It is believed that the origin can be traced to Noah and the Ark. It is believed that during the great flood as recorded in the Quran and the Bible, Noah’s Ark settled somewhere. When they got out it was dark. They therefore lit cotton wool to give light. After the dispersion , the people of Dagbon celebrate the fire festival to recall that event.
The festival is celebrated in the night. It commences with the chief praying and litting the first fire. Other people light theirs from this fire. The people do not use cotton wool anymore because of the cost; they use dried rolled-up straws. Adults and children alike chant war songs while raising their straws high in the air. They head towards a particular site where they dump these straws. They then pick up branches and leaves and head back to town where they jubilate by singing and displaying fireworks.
