The Gbewaa Palace has shut down this year's Bugum Fire Festival across Tamale and nearby communities. Palace officials made the announcement Thursday after serious talks about growing trouble and safety fears. The Overlord of Dagbon, Ndan Ya-Na Abubakari II, led meetings with local chiefs, police, and community leaders before making the call. Rising fights between different groups made celebrating the festival dangerous for everyone. Palace leaders decided protecting people mattered more than keeping the yearly tradition going.
The Ya-Na knows how much the Fire Festival means to Dagbon Kingdom families and their history. However, current problems created conditions that made holding the celebration impossible. Officials stated that...