Tamale will be brightly lit with torches of varied sizes mainly from straws and grass tied to a piece of wood or metal. Gunfire and extreme stunts will be at play, as the magical prowess enshrined in the traditional believes surrounding the festival will once again manifest.
Participants rub fire allover themselves without sustaining any wounds; people cut themselves with sharp objects that under normal circumstances will inflict deep wounds, some even go as far as proving invincibility in the face of gunfire…
Let’s hope we can one day research and bring out a much more comprehensive story behind the celebrations.
Meanwhile let’s meet this Saturday in Tamale for some traditional fun.
It’s Bugum Festival.