The Bissa Chief of Gomoa Fetteh, Kir Lengani, made a unique representation on Saturday at the 2024 Zekula Festival, leading a special delegation from the Central Region to Kulungungu to participate in the homecoming event.
The colorful event saw Kir Lengani lead a five-member delegation to the Bissa’s traditional capital to participate in the Zekula Festival, which was marking its 20th anniversary. His presence at the event added more weight to the celebrations, while he took the opportunity to build stronger ties with fellow Chiefs who attended the festival.
The journey by bus from the Central Region to the Upper Eastern town of Kulungungu was a long one, but Kir Lengani’s commitment to preserving and promoting Bissa culture was unwavering.
As the only chief representing the southern sector, his participation held profound significance.
“It was an honor to be part of this milestone celebration,” Lengani remarked. “We had no excuse not to be here. It was a day we were waiting for, and thank God it came, and we are here to make our presence felt.
“Events like Zekula play a crucial role in keeping our traditions alive and uniting our diaspora, transcending geographical boundaries. It is a homecoming event, so we needed to be part of it.”
The day-long festivities featured a vibrant display of traditional music, dances, foods, and rituals, allowing attendees from Togo, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, and Benin to reconnect with their roots.
Kir Lengani’s presence added a unique dimension to the event, fostering unity and cultural exchange among the diverse Bissa communities represented.
In a remarkable moment, Kir Lengani engaged in meaningful discussions with Bissa Diasporan, Kîrî wrou Nâ’n Kalâ porpularly know as Captain Djindjéré, who had traveled from Burkina Faso to attend the event.
He also met with Kulungungu Chief Kir Ali Zeto Kubenkalezaa, where the two had discussions on how to collabarate to develope the Bissa fraternity.
“Our interaction reinforced the unbreakable bonds that transcend borders within the Bissa fraternity,” Lengani said, emphasizing the event’s ability to strengthen ties across communities.
“Kîrî wrou Nâ’n Kalâ a great King, and he has appreciated our efforts to keep close ties with our people from other countries. He is impressed with our support toward the Zekula, and that is refreshing.
“It was also remarkable meeting with Kir Ali Zeto Kubenkalezaa for the first time.”
Since assuming his chieftaincy in Gomoa Fetteh in 2022, Lengani has been a driving force in revitalizing Bissa traditions within the Central Region. His palace was among the various institutions to have donated hugely toward the Zekula Festival. His participation exemplified his commitment to preserving cultural heritage and ensuring its transmission to future generations.
As the Bissas celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Zekula Festival, Lengani’s unique representation from the southern sector added a special dimension to the event, underscoring the importance of unity, cultural exchange, and the preservation of traditions within the Bissa diaspora.
The Zekula Festival was held at the Kulungungu school park on Sunday, living up to its billing as people from far and near came to be part of the Bissas’ peaceful brand, solidifying the event’s significance in fostering unity and cultural exchange within the Bissa community.