In Kaltungo, an ancient town surrounded by hills in Gombe State, a cultural fiesta known as Kaltungo carnival holds annually.
The celebration not only showcases the rich heritage of the community, but also serves as a testament to the resilience and unity of the people.
The festival, as usual, kicks off with a colourful parade featuring traditional attire and dances featuring hunters and women groups. As the procession winds its way, spectators are immersed in a sensory feast, surrounded by the hues and infectious energy of tapestry.
Traditional rulers, community leaders and elders adorned in traditional regalia lead ceremonies, passing down sacred knowledge to the younger generation, fostering a strong sense of continuity and identity.
The Mai Kaltungo Engineer Saleh Muhammadu organizes the annual cultural festival during which each community in the emirate showcased their heritage which gladden the heart and minds of spectators.
Mai Kaltungo, who is the Deputy Chairman of Gombe State Traditional Council, organized the annual carnival in his effort to promote peaceful coexistence, and cultural development in the emirate.
The carnival also enhances social interaction among the diverse ethnic groups within and outside the state.
Guests and dignitaries were entertained with cultural and traditional dance, and inspection of historical products, traditional dishes and release of pigeons by the chairman of the occasion.
Our correspondent, who was at the venue of the event, reports that the spectators were enthralled by the dances and other displays by various cultural troupes, as well as the exhibition of Kaltungo cultural artifacts and cultural foods.
Decked in their different costumes, the troupes matched in a procession to the stage to display in Kaltungo Stadium.
Also, entertaining spectators were Fulani, Lunguda dancers, dancers from Dass other neighbouring emirates and hunters who displayed their prowess with bows and arrows and guns.
Praise singers like Danbawa Dankwairon Gombe, Makadin Sarkin Musulmi, Makadan Sarkin Zazzau, Tattabaran Kaltungo, Laku and many others also entertain the guests at the occasion.
The Chairperson of organizing the carnival Hajiya Saadatu Saad Mustapha, Alkyabban Kaltungo, stressed the importance of the carnival and explained that natives could only be identified by showcasing their culture and tradition, noting that they should not allow other Nigerians to come and show them their cultures.
Hajiya Saadatu appreciated Gombe State Governor, Mai Kaltungo and members of his traditional council for promoting peace across the state, emirate and the country at large.
She appreciated the role played by journalists towards disseminating information that help to showcase the cultural heritage of Kaltungo community to the global community.
The Emir of Zazzau Mallam Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli, who is the Chairman of the occasion, said he was optimistic that Kaltungo culture would soon be exported to the world.
He prayed for peaceful elections and prayed to Almighty Allah to answer the quest of the state governor and appreciated him for his effortt in the maintainance of peace.
He stressed the need for intensified prayers to complement the government’s efforts in addressing the challenges of insecurity and ensure peaceful coexistence among the people.
The emir said that peace remained the key to development and a better society, and advised the people to live in peace and jettison acts that could threaten peaceful coexistence.
He commended the Mai Kaltungo, Engr. Saleh Muhammad for organising the event and hospitality especially the warm reception and pledged to retaliate
The convener of the carnival Mai Kaltungo Engineer Saleh Mohammed, said the carnival served as a symbol of strengthening the bond of unity and togetherness of the good people of Kaltungo emirates and some part of the North Eastern states.
Engineer Saleh said that the carnival.was organized in line with government’s policy and programme of promoting culture and tourism for development.
Mai Kaltungo, advised his subjects to guard and preserve their farm produce for use ahead of the next planting season/harvest.
He said, “We are farmers, prices of foodstuff are soaring in the markets, so we are calling on our farmers not to take advantage of the commodity prices hike in thirst of money to sell all their produce before the next season”.
Mai Kaltungo explained that should they mistakenly take that advantage to misuse the produce, they would eventually run into food scarcity, probably when the commodities would be sky-rocketting when they could not afford to buy, thereby falling the traps of famine.
Mai Kaltungo advised farmers to be extra-careful in the sale of their farm produce, so that they could preserve substantial parts for the rainy day, saying “You should not ignorantly put yourselves in okra soup”.
He urged the people of Gombe to continue to live in peace while promoting issues that would strengthen unity in the state and the country at large, and thanked the state government and security agencies for efforts so far made to sustain the relative peace being enjoyed by the people. Speaking earlier, the chairman of the occasion, Hon. Jerry Joseph Damara said that he was very excited to welcome tumultuous dignitaries to the festival from both within and outside the country, saying “Our culture is our identity and way of life as reflected in the presence gathering”.
Mr. Joseph Kauran Kaltungo declared, “This place gives credence to the fact that a man without culture is nobody. Helpfully, we great people of Gombe state can boost our rich culture on amiable identity which has thus given us the impetus to converge here today for being celebrated”
Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya assured of the Gombe state government’s support towards the promotion of unity among the citizenry through cultural events such as the Kaltungo annual festival.
Represented by his Deputy, Dr Manasseh Daniel Jatau, the Governor reminded the people to always respect their culture and tradition, expressing fear that culture of two ethnic groups in the state are on the way to diminish due to lack of promotion by the groups
Governor Inuwa commended the Emir for his effort to unite his people and pledge to.organised Gombe State Cultural Festival to promote peace and security. He said Mai Kaltungo have set a pace in order for others to follow and commended him for the peace enjoyed in his domain.
“We can’t do or achieve this stride without realigning our culture, even as incredible feats have been reached and can be attained using our culture.
“The uniqueness of our culture rests on the diversity with variation in cultural elements like belief food, music, clothing within our admired culture and advocacy of mutual respect, acceptance and inclusion for the entrenchment of peace, unity and tranquility among the different ethno-religious groups and culture”, he concluded.
The highlight of the event was a spectacle of performances that seamlessly blended ancient traditions with contemporary influences.
Dancers adorned in vibrant attires moved in graceful unison, creating a mesmerising visual display that captivated the audience and emphasised the enduring cultural legacy of Kaltungo Chiefdom.
As the sun set on the day of the festival, leaving behind a trail of memories and shared experiences, the people of Kaltungo carried forward the spirit of their cultural celebration.
The festival attracted visitors from the neighbouring states of Yobe, Borno, Adamawa, Kaduna, Kano, Sokoto, Bauchi, as well as friends of the Kaltungo from.all walks of life.
