The suspension of the 2026 Damba Festival has been lifted by Naa-Yab Kugu Naa, paving the way for the annual cultural celebrations to proceed across the Dagbon Kingdom.
The initial suspension was announced in honour of the late Yaa-Naa Abubakari Mahama II, who passed away on July 11, 2026, after seven years on the throne.
However, the decision attracted differing views from sections of the Dagbon traditional establishment, with Naa-Yab Kumbu-Naa publicly expressing his readiness to celebrate this year’s Damba.
Following consultations with other chiefs and elders, Naa-Yab Kugu Naa reconsidered his earlier position and subsequently lifted the suspension, allowing the various traditional areas to proceed with their scheduled Damba celebrations.
According to the Gbéwaa Palace, the official 2026 Damba celebration schedule indicates that the first Damba celebration at the Gbéwaa Palace, known as Moli Damba, will be held at Shinkafa Gahimbu on Sunday, August 30, 2026.
This will be followed by Naa Damba on Monday, August 31, 2026, while Damba Bielikuli will subsequently be observed at the Gbéwaa Palace as part of the scheduled celebrations.
Meanwhile, across the various traditional jurisdictions, other Divisional and Paramount Chiefs will celebrate their respective Somo Damba and Naa Damba according to the schedules contained in the flyer from the Gbéwaa Palace, at their respective palaces and traditional areas across the Dagbon Kingdom.
Importantly, the distinction in the traditional naming of the celebrations is that the first Damba celebration at the Gbéwaa Palace is known as Moli Damba, while the corresponding first Damba celebrations organised by the various Divisional and Paramount Chiefs are known as Somo Damba.
Explaining his position following the consultations, Naa-Yab Kugu Naa reiterated that he would not do anything that could divide Dagbon, stressing that the ultimate objective should be the preservation of peace, unity and respect for Dagbon’s customs and traditions.
He further stressed the importance of protecting the customs and traditions handed down through generations, while ensuring that the celebration of Damba does not become a source of division among the people of Dagbon.
With the suspension now lifted, traditional authorities, communities and Damba enthusiasts across the Kingdom are expected to proceed with preparations for the various celebrations while observing the customs, traditions and directives governing the festival.
Damba remains one of Dagbon’s most important cultural institutions, serving as a platform for the preservation and promotion of the Kingdom’s history, traditions, music, dance and communal identity.
The lifting of the suspension is therefore expected to provide clarity and allow the various traditional areas to proceed with their celebrations, while reinforcing the broader values of peace, unity and respect for Dagbon’s traditional authority.
