Lamashe-Naa Mahama Iddrisu Performs Somo Damba Rites at Lamashegu Palace
The Lamashegu Chief Palace has come alive as His Royal Highness, Lamashe-Naa Mahama Iddrisu, performs the sacred rites of Somo Damba, marking the beginning of this year’s Damba Festival in Lamashegu.
The Somo Damba rites, observed on the 10th day of the Damba month, form an important part of the Damba celebrations among the Dagbon, Nanumba, Mamprugu and Gonja traditional areas.
In Dagbon, Somo Damba is traditionally observed by chiefs and elders ahead of Naa Damba, which is performed by the Overlord of Dagbon, the Yaa-Naa.
At the Lamashegu Palace, the rites are being led by the Lamashe-Naa at the palace forecourt, with prayers and traditional ceremonies seeking peace, good rainfall, bumper harvests and long life for the Yaa-Naa, the Lamashe-Naa and the people of Dagbon.
The morning ceremony includes Asiba Damba, which involves the recitation of the Holy Quran and special prayers.
A major spiritual moment of the ceremony is the Nahu Gili, or Rounding of the Cow. During the ritual, the Lamashe-Naa circumambulates the sacrificial cow three times to the solemn beats of the Damba Sochandi drums before placing his leg on the animal as a sign of acceptance prior to its slaughter.
The meat from the sacrificial cow is subsequently shared among elders and given out as alms as part of the traditional rites.
The celebrations will continue into the evening with Waa Wabu, also known as Zaawuni Damba, featuring traditional dance displays by elders, drummers and the youth.
The Lamashe-Naa is expected to give the final dance, bringing the Somo Damba celebrations to a close.
The Palace has invited sons and daughters of Lamashegu, elders, Imams, youth groups and well-wishers to join the community in the prayers and traditional observances.
The Damba celebrations will continue through Naa Damba and culminate in Bielkulsi, the final climax of the festival.
Source: Northwebonline.com
