The event was to foster unity and peace
An intercultural celebration was held at Bagurugu, a major herders’ host community in the Karaga District, providing a platform for cross-cultural exchange between Fulbe (Fulani) herders and indigenous community members (Dagombas).
The event, aimed at fostering unity and peace, brought together Fulbes from various parts of the Northern Region and Dagombas from Bagurugu to celebrate their unique cultural practices, performances, and traditions, emphasizing the values of respect, understanding, and collaboration.
The event was organized by Changing Lives in Innovative Partnerships (CLIP), a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), under its Support Project for the Strengthening of Social Cohesion at the Level of Strategic Cross-Border Territories (PARCS Project). The project is being implemented in partnership with Acting for Life and funded by Agence Française de Développement.
Sayibu Sulemana Wumbei, the CLIP-PARCS Project Officer, said the platform was created to provide 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 has 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 celebrating each other’s unique cultural identities.
Wumbei said that by facilitating these interactions, the event would challenge stereotypes, promote empathy, and create a deeper understanding between the two groups.
He added that this aligns with the objective of the PARCS project, which seeks to strengthen social cohesion in strategic cross-border areas by fostering mutual understanding, collaboration, and peaceful coexistence among diverse communities.
He emphasized the need for everyone to remain peaceful and coexist harmoniously with others to promote national development.
Meanwhile, a Dispute Resolution Committee, comprising four local people (Dagombas) and four Fulbes, has been set up in the area to amicably address any farmer-herder issues and ensure peaceful coexistence between the communities.
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, highlighting that the Dispute Resolution Committee had been instrumental in resolving farmer-herder issues, resulting in harmonious coexistence among these groups.
Seidu Musah, the Karaga District Fulani Chief, said the event was a significant boost to the existing peace and harmony between the herders and the local people in the area.
He applauded the Dispute Resolution Committee for its hard work in addressing major farmer-herder concerns, leading to peace and togetherness in the community.
Salifu Mohammed Awal, the Assistant Director at the Karaga District Assembly, commended CLIP and its partners for complementing the Assembly’s efforts to promote peaceful coexistence and ensure smooth development in the area.
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