Fire festival here in the Northern region is my favorite Dagomba festival. It tells of a story where a boy was lost. People went with fire torches (grass wrapped together and on fire) looking for the boy who they found up in a tree. They then threw the torches to the tree and came back to the chief’s palace to celebrate with dancing and drumming. And that is pretty much what is recreated every year for the festival.
People dress up, white powder, traditional cloths. There is drumming and dancing. In Tamale city I have found over the years people get a little out of hand. I got nervous last time with the fire, explosions, and machetes. This year I went to a friend’s village, very rural. It was so calm and joyous. I marched out with everyone and threw my torch at the tree. My friend’s little son, really did some dancing. So cute.
It is nice to not always have to be in a church setting. I enjoy being with people with no agenda or lesson to teach. Just out, food, culture, (fire), and talks.
