By Albert Futukpor
Bagurugu (N/R), Feb. 27, GNA – An intercultural celebration has been held at Bagurugu, a major herders’ host community in the Karaga District, providing a platform for cross-cultural exchange between Fulbes (Fulani) herders and indigenous community members (Dagombas).
The event, which was to foster unity and peace, saw the Fulbes, who were drawn from various parts of the Northern Region, and Dagombas at Bagurugu, celebrate their unique cultural practices, performances and traditions, emphasising the values of respect, understanding, and collaboration.
The event was organised by the Changing Lives in Innovative Partnerships (CLIP), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), under its Support Project for the Strengthening of Social Cohesion at the Level of Strategic Cross-Border Territories (PARCS Project), which is being implemented in partnership with Acting for Life and funded by Agence Française de Développement.
,Mr Sayibu Sulemana Wumbei, the CLIP-PARCS Project Officer, said the platform was to create a space where individuals from both communities (Dagombas and Fulbes) could share their rich cultural heritage in an open and inclusive manner thereby enhancing mutual respect and breaking down barriers.
For many years, the relationship between host communities and Fulani herders had been strained due to factors such as competition over resources, misunderstandings, farm crop destruction and cultural differences.
The intercultural celebration provided an opportunity to create a shared space for both groups to engage not only in dialogue but also in the celebration of each other’s unique cultural identities.
Mr Wumbei said by facilitating these interactions, the event would challenge stereotypes, promote empathy and create a deeper understanding between the two groups.
He said this was in line with the objective of the PARCS project, which was to strengthen social cohesion in strategic cross-border areas by fostering mutual understanding, collaboration, and peaceful coexistence among diverse communities.
He emphasised the need for all to remain peaceful and harmoniously coexist with others to promote national development.
Meanwhile, a Dispute Resolution Committee comprising of four local people (Dagombas) and four Fulbes, has been set up in the area to amicably attend to any farmer-herder issues to ensure peaceful coexistence between people in these communities.
Mr Alhassan Hassan, the Chairman of the Dispute Resolution Committee, lauded the event saying it further strengthened the bond of unity and friendship between the herders and the indigenous people.
He commended CLIP and its partners for implementing the PARCS project in the area, saying the Dispute Resolution Committee had been instrumental in resolving any farmer-herder issues resulting in a harmonious coexistence among these groups.
Mr Seidu Musah, the Karaga District Fulani Chief, said the event was a further boost to the current existing peace and harmony between the herders and the local people in the area.
He applauded the Dispute Resolution Committee for effectively working hard to address major farmer-herder concerns, leading to peace and togetherness between the people in the area.
Mr Salifu Mohammed Awal, the Assistant Director at the Karaga District Assembly, commended CLIP and its partners for complementing the efforts of the Assembly to promote peaceful coexistence, and to ensure smooth development in the area.
GNA