World Damba Festival 2012 @ Tufts September 13, 2012

The World Damba Festival is a celebration of the Damba Festival of the Northern Region of Ghana in Africa. Celebrated with pageantry and performing arts, the annual Damba Festival is a communal homage to chieftain traditions, an affirmation of family networks, and an observance of religious rites. People gather to respect the past, assess the present, and plan for the future.

On September 14, there will be an academic symposium in the afternoon followed by a concert of traditional Dagomba music in the evening, including performances by Adballah Zachariah, Yakubu Issah, Fati Munkaila, the “WDF 2012 All-Stars” featuring Habib Iddrisu, Sulley Imoro, and Mashud Neindow; and the African Showboyz featuring Napoleon Sabbah and his brothers.

On September 15, Somo Damba will take place in the morning followed at midday by participatory workshops in music and dance styles of northern Ghana. Naa Damba will be celebrated in midafternoon, followed by the keynote address to be delivered by Alhaji Aliu Mahama, the former Vice President of Ghana and Patron of WDF 2012 @Tufts. The evening concludes with a concert of African pop music, including performances by Sherifatu Gunu, Ahmed Adam, Jumai Ahmed, Mama Rams, the 7-in-1 for Peace band featuring Sirina Issa, and Mohammed Alidu and the Bizung Family.

Finally, on September 16, there will be a plenary session focused on community development in northern Ghana and the Diaspora. The festival will end with traditional drumming and dance for sending the Damba home.

For detailed schedule of events for each day of the festival, visit http://worlddamba2012.org/festival/program/

For event registration, visit http://worlddamba2012.org/eventregistration/

Official Website: http://worlddamba2012.org