N/R: Chief of Kunguri urges peaceful celebration of Bugum Festival

The Chief of Kunguri in the Kasulyili area of the Kumbungu Traditional Area in the Northern Region, Naa Aliu, has urged celebrants of this year’s Bugum (Fire) Festival, especially the youth, to refrain from using sophisticated weapons and engaging in practices that are inconsistent with Dagbon customs and traditions.

The Bugum Festival, one of the most revered traditional celebrations in northern Ghana, is observed by the Dagomba, Mamprusi, Nanumba, Gonja, and Wala ethnic groups. The night‑time festival is marked by the lighting of torches, the firing of traditional muskets, and the chanting of war songs by local warriors.

Speaking to journalists at his residence in Tamale, Naa Aliu described the Bugum Festival as a unique cultural heritage that distinguishes the people of northern Ghana from other ethnic groups. He emphasized the need to preserve the festival’s authenticity by strictly adhering to its traditional forms and resisting attempts to introduce foreign elements that dilute its cultural value.

According to him, the festival holds enormous potential to attract tourists and investors from across the world, positioning Dagbon and its neighbouring traditional kingdoms as major cultural and tourism destinations.

Naa Aliu expressed optimism that this year’s Bugum Festival, scheduled for 25th June 2026, would be celebrated peacefully across all traditional areas and communities in the country.

The chief also used the occasion to caution the youth against drug abuse, stressing that illicit substances offer no benefits and only destroy lives and futures.

He further extended his Bugum Festival greetings and best wishes to the Overlord of Dagbon, Ndan Yaa‑Naa Abukari II, the Paramount Chief of Kumbungu, the Chief of Kasulyili, and all chiefs and people across the Dagbon Kingdom, wishing them a successful and incident‑free celebration.