Hundreds of people from across the Talensi Traditional area have thronged to the palace of the Tongraana to partake in this year’s Tampana dance as part of celebrations to mark the annual Daa festival.
The dance which begins with the beating of the Tampana drum assembles natives and residents of the area at the palace of the Tongraana, after which citizens in circles and dressed in royal regalia dance to the beats of the Tamapana drum with local songs.
Member of the planning committee, Michael Naab explains that, this dance is the most unique dance amongst the various dance styles witnessed throughout the festive period. He mentioned that the Tampana dance is held at the paramount chief’s palace to climax everything concerning the Daa festival.
He added that the mode of dressing for the dance depicts traditional culture and how the ancestors of the traditional area moved into the area to settle several years ago.
The Daa festival is celebrated by people of the Tong Nayiri and the Baare community. It involves the Yaung Dance by the people of Baare, Gingaung Dance by the people of Tongo and Sankpigi Dance which is danced by both communities and so the Tampana is meant to climax all the categories of Dance.
Mr. Naab noted that women only from the Tong Nayiri are those allowed to take part in the Tampana dance.
The festival which is a post-harvest festival is celebrated annually to thank the gods for the peace the people of the area had enjoyed and the bumper harvest throughout the year.
This year’s celebration began on the 17th of October with series of activities including sacrifices by the Tongraana and will end with a Grand durbar of the chiefs and people of the area on November 4.
By: Offei-Akoto Ayeh/Azongo Albert | A1RADIOONLINE.com | GHANA
