The chiefs and people of the Bissa community in Ghana are preparing for the upcoming annual Zekula Festival, scheduled for April 18 at their traditional capital, Kulungungu.
The celebration will take place at the Kulungungu School Park, a historic site in the border town, and will showcase the rich culture, identity, and unity of the Bissa people.
“Zekula,” meaning unity in the Bissa language, is organized by the Bissa Development Association (BDA) as a yearly gathering for Bissa people from the Upper East region, beyond, and the diaspora. It serves as a platform for connection, discussion, and community development efforts focused on education, health, and access to clean water.
This year’s festival holds special importance after last year’s event was canceled due to security concerns amid conflict between the Mamprusi and Kusasi communities in the area. In response, the BDA held smaller regional events to maintain the festival’s spirit.
BDA Chairman Shaibu Musah Zanni Esq. expressed relief and determination ahead of this year’s event: “Last year’s cancellation was a painful moment for every Bissa at home and in the diaspora but it only deepened our resolve to return stronger and more united. The Zekula Festival remains our trump card for unity and it is the heartbeat of our identity and our collective will to develop. I urge every Bissa, wherever they may be, to make the journey to Kulungungu this year and let the world see that our unity cannot be broken.”
With ten days more to the event, attendees can expect traditional dancing, music, wrestling, horse riding, and vibrant displays of Bissa heritage.
Beyond celebration, the festival fosters dialogue on regional issues and peaceful coexistence with surrounding communities, reinforcing the Bissa people’s commitment to collective progress and harmony.
The event will attract government officials, politicians, and notable guests, including chiefs and dignitaries from Burkina Faso and Togo, highlighting the Bissa people’s transnational presence across parts of West Africa.
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