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PRESERVING HISTORY AND UNITING COMMUNITIES: THE GANDAWII NAABAHILIME FESTIVAL
The Gandawii Naabahilime Festival is celebrated annually by the Sissala people in the Sissala West District of Ghana. The festival was initiated more than a decade ago by members of the Gandawii cultural enclave as a way to reconnect with their cultural heritage and celebrate their identity. The two-day festival includes traditional rituals, food, clothing, music, dance, and sports. The locals demonstrate the routine activities of their forefathers, including processing shea butter, milling millet, and making iron tools. The festival also provides an opportunity for development projects to be initiated.
The festival is an effort to preserve the Gandawii culture and has produced many benefits for the locals, enabling them to connect with their history and with each other, thus initiating a stronger community. The festival allows the Sissala people to re-enact the heroic exploits of their forebears, providing the younger generation with an opportunity to appreciate and learn from their culture.
The festival has become an important way for the Sissala people to showcase their shared culture, maintain their customs, and pass them on to future generations. It is a reminder of the importance of cultural preservation, enabling people to appreciate their history and gain a deeper understanding of their traditions.
This year’s Gandawii Naabahilime Festival is scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 25th, 2023, at Sorbelle Basic School at 10:00 a.m. The focus of this year’s festival is “Combating Violent Extremism in Our Communities: A Shared Responsibility for All.”
