By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
It was a joyful moment for the Ham people, in Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State, as hundreds of dignitaries from diverse ethnic groups within and outside the State gathered to celebrate the annual ‘TUK-ham festival’ showcasing its rich cultural heritage after six years of suspension due to insecurity and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Ham people in Kwoi, the Paramount Chief, Kpok Ham, Dr. Gyet Maude, said Tuk-ham was last celebrated six years ago due to a sharp increase in the incidences of communal attacks, banditry, kidnappings, and terrorism which create general insecurity that affected normal life and daily activities not only in their surrounding communities but in many other areas in the State and beyond.
According to him, it is a thing of joy that after these years of fear and uncertainty, they gather again because things have somehow abated and normalcy has gradually returned in relative terms.
” From its inception in 1980, the Tuk Ham Festival was conceived to take place during the Easter season; a season that is of great significance to Christians around the world. As you well know, Easter is the season that Christians commemorate the death and triumphant resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Celebrating the Tuk-Ham festival during this historic season draws us closer to God in introspection on what He has done in our lives over the years.
” The celebration of Tuk Ham serves two purposes thanksgiving and supplication. First, we have to take time especially to thank God for the bountiful harvest of the immediate past farming season, and second, to pray for success, protection, and multiplication of blessings in the next farming season.
He explained that the Tuk-ham festival is deeply tied to farming as the dominant occupation of the Ham people, while calling on the people and the teeming youths in particular, to bring back to mind and revive the time-honored tradition of communal farming.
While commenting on the ginger pandemic, the monarch appealed to both the State and the Federal government to put together a special package of financial and material support to help ameliorate the losses suffered by ginger farmers.
He lamented that more than 80% of ginger farming capacity in terms of seedlings has been lost, adding the future of ginger farming in Hamland precariously hangs in the balance because both the variety and quantity of product may be lost completely,” He added.
” To avoid a total calamity the government needs to either support or commission academic research into the root cause of the ginger pandemic to find an effective and lasting solution to its menace.
He finally commended sons and daughters of the land for funding some projects that transformed the Ham land.
Chairman of the occasion, Amb. Bulus Lolo said it is not in their time the Tuk-ham cultural festival will die, stressing they’ll do anything to preserve the Ham culture.
Hon. Dr Gideon Jock and Engr. Mamudi Ladan, great sons of the land, said the Tuk-ham used to be celebrated worldwide, people usually come across the globe to join the Ham people in celebrating their day because of the rich cultural values of the Nok- Nok-Terracotta.
” The more the Ham people celebrate the Tuk-ham the more they’re united, it makes us remember our cultural backgrounds and our grand-parents.
They noted that the topography and Mountains that surrounded the Ham land could be made to be a good place for tourism where people from different parts of the World can come and see the beautiful land.
They encourage other privileged individuals to come back home and see how decaying the system is and put their hands together to attract development in the land.
PUNCH reports that the Ham people, are the custodians of the world-renowned Nok Culture and famous Terracotta, dating back to 500 BC.
