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Damba: The festival that unites Northern Ghana
Few festivals in Ghana carry the weight of history, colour, and unity like the Damba festival.
What began centuries ago as a religious commemoration has today blossomed into the largest cultural festival in Northern Ghana, celebrated across the Northern, Savannah, North East, Upper East, and Upper West regions.
From the palaces of Dagbon, Mamprugu, and Nanumba, Damba resonates with the sound of drums, praise-singers, and the spectacle of tradition.
Its significance has even transcended borders, drawing Ghanaians and foreign admirers to international editions held in Germany, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
The name Damba is rooted in the Dagbani language, though it appears in other tongues, Damma in Mampruli.
Observed in the third month of the Dagomba calendar, which coincides with Rabia al-Awwal in the Islamic calendar, Damba was originally celebrated to mark the birth and naming of Prophet Muhammad.
Over time, it has evolved into a grand festival celebrating chieftaincy, kinship, and the resilience of Ghana’s northern kingdoms.
The festival unfolds in three major stages that is Somo Damba, Naa Damba, and the grand Belkulsi or farewell procession. In the early days, the Yila Bohambu, or nightly musical rehearsals, fill the palaces with song.
Women of the royal courts lead these performances, keeping alive the traditional chants and rhythms that set the tone for the celebrations. The Somo Damba is a solemn time of prayer, drumming, and dignified dancing.
It is followed by the youthful exuberance of the Binchera Damba, where young men and women take to palace grounds in worn yet stylish smocks, showcasing creativity and spirit in a torn couture display.
Another revered rite, the Shinkaafa Gahimbu (picking of rice), sees clerics, led by the Yidan Moli at the Gbewaa Palace, offering symbolic rituals of blessing and prosperity.
The Nahu Glibu, or rounding of the cow, performed by chiefs, demonstrates wealth, unity, and the continuity of life. But it is the Naa Damba, the King’s Damba that truly crowns the festival.
Here, the atmosphere reaches its peak: chiefs ride majestically on horseback, praise-singers proclaim ancestral glories, and the air explodes with musketry from warriors, signalling strength, protection, and bravery.
One of the most breathtaking spectacles of Damba is the procession of the queens. Adorned in regal cloths and glittering ornaments, they gracefully carry golden-coloured bowls, abolition cans, utensils, sandals, and animal skins, the very seat and symbols of authority for the chiefs.
Each item tells a story, each step a reminder of the sacred duty queens play in preserving heritage and continuity.
Their slow, elegant movement is met with admiration from the gathered crowds, reinforcing the balance between royalty and community. No Damba is complete without the vibrant dances that fill the courtyards.
The housing dance, performed with synchronised grace, captures the essence of belonging, while the warriors’ displays, accompanied by fierce drumming and bursts of musketry in the skies is to celebrate resilience and courage.
These performances not only entertain but also remind communities of their history, values, and collective identity.
The festival’s climax, Belkulsi, bids farewell in a grand procession. Families exchange visits, gifts are shared, and friendships renewed.
Streets and palace grounds explode with colour, sound, and movement, leaving behind memories that last until the next Damba.
From Gonja, Dagbon, Mamprugu, Wali and Nanumba, Damba has remained a symbol of identity and unity.
Its international editions in Cologne, New York, and London highlight the festival’s growing role as a cultural ambassador, projecting Ghana’s northern traditions to the world stage.
Damba is a living archive of history, an affirmation of heritage, and a celebration of the bond between people and tradition.
In its rhythm, regalia, and rituals, one sees not only the past but also the promise of continuity for generations to come.
From Geoffrey Buta, Yendi
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For the first time in its seven-year history, the celebrated Guinea Fowl Bazaar has been brought to Accra, marking a significant expansion of an event that has, for the past six years, been a staple in Tamale.
The two-day cultural and culinary festival, held from May 1–2, drew over 500 patrons and featured nearly 20 vendors, to promote Northern Ghana’s rich food culture particularly guinea fowl delicacies.
Hosted by By Faith Catering Services, the bazaar brought together traditional leaders, cultural groups, food entrepreneurs, and government representatives in a display of heritage and enterprise.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Angelo Dogbe, the Northern Regional Director of the Ghana Tourism Authority underscored the importance of promoting indigenous cuisine as a tool for economic development and cultural preservation. Chiefs from the Northern Region also graced the occasion, lending traditional authority and reinforcing the cultural significance of the festival.
A major highlight of the bazaar was a series of captivating cultural performances representing the diverse tribes of the Northern Region. Attendees were treated to traditional music, dance, and attire, transforming the venue into a lively tapestry of Northern identity and pride.
Vendors expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to showcase their products to a new audience in the capital. Many noted increased visibility, networking opportunities, and strong sales throughout the two-day event.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of By Faith Catering Services, Mrs. Matilda Zenabu Pipio described the Accra edition as a strategic move to broaden the reach of the festival and create new economic pathways for vendors and producers from the north.
She announced plans to make the Accra bazaar an annual event, emphasizing its potential to boost employment, promote guinea fowl production, and introduce more Ghanaians to the unique flavours of Northern cuisine.
She said, the event is a platform for cultural exchange, economic empowerment, and national unity through food.
She commended partners and called on more organisers to support and invest in initiatives like this.
Meanwhile, the organizers of Guinea fowl Bazaar paid a courtesy call to the Editor of Spectator, Mrs. Georgina Naa-Maku Quaittoo and Mr. David Adadevoh, Acting Editor of The Ghanaian Times.
Both editors lauded the initiatives and encouraged the organizers to sustain it.
Organizers for the initiative and called on stakeholders and cooperate bodies to support this good course.
By Geoffrey Buta.
MTN Ghana has hosted more than 200 students from various educational institutions in Accra for an engaging, hands-on technology immersion at MTN House, bringing classroom theory to life and fueling interest in STEM and digital innovation.
Students from Ashesi University, Ghana International School, Cradle Star Academy, and Kinderland School explored MTN Ghana’s rich history, core values, customer-focused innovations, and digital transformation agenda.
They were introduced to the company’s sustainability and social impact initiatives, spanning education, youth empowerment and community development. A key highlight of the visits was a tour of MTN Ghana’s Network Operations Centre (NOC) and data centres.
The students gained first-hand exposure to the advanced technology, systems, and expertise powering seamless connectivity for millions daily – offering a rare look into how MTN ensures network performance, security, and resilience.
Speaking on the initiative, the Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer at MTN Ghana, Adwoa Wiafe, noted, “Hosting students at MTN House reflects our commitment to shaping Ghana’s digital future. As we deliver our Ambition 2030 strategy, we are deepening investments in youth development through programmes like the Bright Scholarship, the MTN Digital Skills Academy, and collaborations on the One Million Coders Programme and the Girls in ICT initiative led by the Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation.”
Paschal Paaga, Manager for IT Projects Implementation, emphasised the importance of experiential learning.
‘’By opening our doors, we are helping to bridge the gap between academia and industry. We want young people to see the real-world impact of technology and be inspired to pursue careers in STEM.”
For many participants, the experience was transformative. Maame Sapomaa, a Level 300 Information Systems student from Ashesi University, shared, “The visit was incredibly inspiring. Everything we have learned in the classroom came to life, and we were exposed to new concepts beyond our studies. It has motivated me even more to pursue a career in technology.”
As MTN Ghana advances its Ambition 2030 vision, the company remains committed to driving digital inclusion, platform-led innovation, and building strategic partnerships that support Ghana’s long-term socio-economic development.
