Published by Inusah Dondaliya
21st August, 2026
The Paramount Chief of Kumbungu, Naa Yab Kumbung Naa Yiri II, Naa Alhaji Iddrisu Abu, has firmly asserted that the celebration of the 2026 Damba Festival is taking place as planned, stating that he is leading the People in the Kumbungu Traditional Area to mark the festivities, contrary to the suspension directive announced by Naa Yab-Kugu Naa Adam Abdulai.
According to the Kumbung Naa, celebrating the Damba Festival forms part of the Dagbon customs and Traditions and also symbolizes its cultural heritage, which must be showcased every year and not be ignored due to a unilateral decision by an individual Chief.
Addressing elders and People of Kumbungu at his Palace, Naa Yab-Kumbung Naa stated that there was no wider consultation with chiefs, especially the elders of Dagbon, concerning the suspension of the Damba Festival, stressing that it came to him as a shock, as some of them should have been in the know before such critical information is put out for public consumption.
Further justifying the celebration of the Damba Festival, Kumbungu Naa noted that since the 3-day and a week prayers are observed, coupled with the subsequent installation of the Regent of Dagbang in line with customs and traditions as part of the funeral rites of the late King, the celebration of the Damba Festival is valid without any contravention of the customary laws of Dagbon.
Meanwhile, Naa Yiri also stressed the need for broader consultation and engagement among Dagbon traditional authorities, especially on critical decisions that will be binding on all paramountcies across the Dagbon Kingdom.
