CREDIT: JACOB BOOYERE
December 5, 2024, was a memorable day in Jirapa, when the SOCO Cultural Competition Project brought together three Bawa cultural troupes from the Jirapa municipality patrons were treated to a spectacular cultural display.
The event, held at the Rev. Fr. John McNaulty Memorial Hall, was a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the Dagare people where brisk dancers dance to rhythms from the xylophone, drums, music and other musical instruments.
The competition was organized to promote unity, cultural awareness, whilst promoting development.
The three participating troupes were the Konzokalaa Bawa Group, Derike Bawa Group and Kaane-Die Bawa Group.
The event gain a huge success, with each group delivering impressive performances that left the audience in awe.
After careful deliberation, the three judges Ben-George Dongore a retired educationist, Theresa Winifred Dery the Principal Cultural Officer in charge of Programmes at Center for National Culture and Ernestina A. Koglee the a Cultural Assistant Officer settled on the Kaane-Die bawa group as the ultimate winner, Konzokalaa bawa groups also emerge first runner up and Derike bawa groups as second runner up at the end of the competition where prizes were presented to the winner, first runner-up, and second runner-up.
The SOCO Cultural Competition Project is an initiative aimed at bringing people together to learn, appreciate, and celebrate their cultural heritage.
By promoting cultural awareness and exchange, the project seeks to foster unity, understanding, and pride among the bawa communities in the municipality.
The SOCO Cultural Competition Project is an example of how cultural events can bring people together, promote cross-cultural understanding, and celebrate the rich diversity of the bawa people.
The Region Cultural Director Nuhu Yahaya in his closing remarks declared all participants as winners stating that at the end of the day Jirapa has won.
He further encourage the bawa groups to recruit more children into their various groups and train them towards the future.
