A Bright Light Dimmed”: Nanumba Traditional Council Heartbroken Over Death of Student at Fire Festival
Bimbilla, Northern Region | Sunday, 6 July 2025
The Nanumba Traditional Council has been plunged into deep sorrow following the tragic death of Abukari Fatima, a young student of Bimbilla Senior High School, who was fatally shot during this year’s Bugum (Fire) Festival celebrations in Bimbilla.
In a heartfelt press release issued on Sunday, 6th July 2025, and circulated to all media houses, the Council described the incident as a dark moment in the history of Nanung, marking the first time a life has been lost to gunfire during the cherished cultural event.
“The Nanumba Traditional Council is heartbroken,” the release stated. “This is a tragedy that has shaken our entire kingdom. A bright young girl with so much promise was taken from us in the most painful and unnecessary way.”
Abukari Fatima was reportedly struck by a stray bullet when an unauthorized firearm was discharged during the night-time torch procession. She was laid to rest on the morning of Sunday, 6th July, at the Bimbilla Cemetery, and her final dua will be held on Tuesday, 8th July, at Dr. Rashed’s residence in the Japanese area of Bimbilla.
The Council emphasized that in the lead-up to the festival, it had issued clear warnings prohibiting the use of unauthorized firearms and dangerous weapons. According to the press statement, these precautions were intended not just to preserve tradition but to protect lives.
“Using unauthorized weapons during our cultural celebrations is not part of our tradition. It is a perilous deviation that we will not tolerate,” the Council stressed. “We strongly condemn this reckless act. This is more than an accident — it is a criminal act that must not go unpunished.”
The Council is calling on the Ghana Police Service and all relevant security agencies to expedite investigations and bring those responsible to justice.
The Bugum Chugu festival, which commemorates the ancestral search for a lost child, holds deep spiritual and historical significance for the people of Nanung, Dagbon, and Mamprugu. Traditionally celebrated with torches, drumming, and dance, recent years have seen rising concerns over the misuse of firearms during the event.
This year’s fatality has reignited calls for cultural discipline and the strict enforcement of palace directives.
“Our culture is meant to unite and uplift us — not to bring death or sorrow,” the Council noted in its statement. “Let this tragic moment be a turning point. Let it remind us to respect our traditions and protect one another, especially the innocent.”
The Nanumba Traditional Council has pledged to work closely with law enforcement to ensure accountability and prevent future tragedies.
“Any future breaches of our guidelines will be dealt with firmly by the law. No one is above the customs of Nanung. We must uphold the values that protect our people and honour our ancestors.”
As the community mourns the loss of Fatima — a daughter of Nanung — the Council has called for prayers, reflection, and a recommitment to the safe and meaningful celebration of cultural heritage.
Source: Official Press Release from the Nanumba Traditional Council, dated 6th July 2025.
