Bissas make huge impact at the Samanpiid festival celebration of the Kusaasis

Bissas on Monday made a huge impact at the Upper East Regional town of Kulungungu,  honouring an invitation from their Kusaasi brothers in climaxing  the celebration of the annual Samanpiid festival.

It was a festival of the Kusaasis but chaired by the Greater Accra Bissa Chief Mohamed Ali Dabre III, strengthening the ties between the two ethnic groups of the Upper East.

Chief Ali Dabre III led a delegation to the region to join the thousands of Bissas, who participated in the festival.

They embarked on the 764 km  journey to grace the occasion as a sign of extending the much touted  Zekula traits for the benefit of national unity.

It came just a month after celebrating his 10th anniversary of his coronation as the Bissa Chief of the capital city of Ghana.

He was joined by the Bissa Chief of Bawku, Alhaji Amadu Haruna Dabre and other members of the fraternity to create a colourful scene at the Durbar ground to the admiration of all.

It was a joyous moment and excitement across the town as they celebrate the 33rd samanpiid festival on Monday December 28.

The week-long celebration,which showcased the rich cultural heritage of the chiefs and people of the traditional area, was characterized by traditional dancing, music, colorful costume and speeches.

Thousands of Bissas across the country had also journeyed to participate in this year’s  festival of the people of Kusaug in Bawku.

It is the 33rd edition of the festival and it brought many other people from various tribes to one ground, consolidating the peaceful coexistence among tribes and to celebrate the success made so far.

The Samanpiid is an annual festival celebrated by the Kusasis in the Kusaug Traditional Area in the Upper East Region to show appreciation to God for a bumper harvest.

The festival, which was first celebrated in 1987, has grown to become one of the biggest in the region, attracting people, both locally and internationally, with diverse cultural backgrounds to witness the rich culture of Kusaug.

Previous editions had had former presidents  Jerry John Rawlings, John Agyakum Kufour, John Evans Atta Mills and John Dramani and John Mahama as Guest Speakers with sitting President Nana Akufo-Addo also gracing the occasion in one of a such.

However this year’s edition had the mantle falling on the Greater Accra Bissa Chief, whose presence created a different atmosphere in a town known for its rich cultural history, despite protracted ethnic clashes between Kusaasis and Mamprusis.

The history between Bissas and Kusaasis dates back to the precolonial era, and Monday’s event only re-echoed the rich and powerful ties between the two.

The Upper East Region has had its worse share of disturbing tribal wars, but in all cases Bissas have turned to be the mediators and the unifying factor between the waring factions, a feat that has became a pride for the Bissa brand.