Nigeria: Tangale Dog Festival, Aka ‘Bai’ Carnival/ Palam Tangle Revamps

By Joseph Edegbo :

The Tangale Dog Festival tagged ‘Bai’ Carnival/ Palam Tangle, will take place in Billiri, Gombe State, from 26th through 28th of December, 2021 after years.

Dog Festival is one of the traditional activities of the Tangale people that has been ignored for too long. Having identified the growing gap in their cultural transmission to the younger generation, the Central Planning Committee (CPC) has put together series of activities to revive the festival.

The Central Planning Committee Chairman, Mai Dukka of Tangale, Jessy Mallum and Secretary, Dulyamba Alkeria Bagauda, listed the activities featuring the cultural fiesta to include public lectures and exhibition..

According to the statement, Bai Carnival will contribute, in no small way, to social cohesion and a sense of pride in their heritage.
It will also promote unity and tourism , boost the economy and create employment opportunities in Tangale land.

“As youths, we have taken it upon ourselves to keep the culture alive and revive some of the long forgotten cultural activities, starting with this particular one.

“The festival is similar to what the Ngas people of Plateau state observe annually called ‘Pusdung’. This is a cultural festival that feature series of activities, merriment and knowledge impartation. Ours will not be any different.

“Within the 3 days slated for the program the following activities will take place:

“Day-one, public lecture titled THE TANGALE MAN AND HIS IDENTITY- along with this will be the slaughter/cooking of dog meat to be eaten free of charge.

“Day-2 will feature a public lecture on JUSTICE AS A FOUNDATION FOR PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE- along with this, stakeholders of ‘lo bai’ (dog meat) will sell their meats to their new and old customers.

“Day-3 will be for lectures on KAL KWI KA AMDO SHUM SHAN TONDOWEI (Unity, Love and Progress) – alongside is continuation of sales of meet by the stakeholders. This day will also feature EXHIBITION of the material aspect of the Tangale culture and sales of art pieces that are indigenous to the Tangale Nation.

“We wish to inform the general public to prepare for this revived carnival as it promises to be historic.

“We also call on blacksmiths, weavers, stone carvers, knitters, herbalists, etc to reach to us, as we will make arrangements for them to display whatever they have to exhibit.

“There will also be sale of ‘Lantham Ting (the traditional Tangale attire).”, the statement concludes