The Jimbenti festival is celebrated by the people of Boli and across the entire Waala state. Jimbenti which is the first month on the Waala calendar year is celebrated to thank God for the unity and co-existence He has bestowed on the Boli people. It is also celebrated to thank and remember our ancestors. Furthermore, we pray for good rain, bumper harvest and prosperity. As people, it is a platform to remind and educate the younger generation about the history of the heterogeneous Boli people. Moreover, the day re-unites families and friends as they felicitate and feast together.
The Festival is celebrated on the 9th and 10th days of the Month of Jimbenti and it is carried out as follows;
Day 1: (9th Day of Jimbenti):
In the early hours of the first day, the traditional talking drum, “Gan-gakpoŋ or Sieŋbɔgu nyɛ-nyɛu”, is played to signify the commencement of the festival.
In the morning, animals are slaughtered. Some are slaughtered for the gods and others killed just for meals. Different kinds of food are prepared on this occasion. From morning till night fall, traditional dances such as Waali-bawa, jaŋu, and Jansi are performed to the admiration of all. These performances take place at Bagbuliyiri.
One activity you cannot afford to miss is the late afternoon Jimbenti Jansi in Boli. Everybody put up their best outfits to meet and interact with friends.
Later in the night, the Bagbuliyiri people do not prepare food or even light fire to heat bathing water. The suburb serves as the first home of the Boli people and houses the first ancestors. Every settlement in Boli has their ancestors buried at Bagbuliyiri. It is believed that these ancestors come back in the night to check on their people on this auspicious day. Only meals for the ancestors are prepared and keep for them to come and also feast.
For the people of Bagbuliyiri to eat supper, meals will have to be prepared outside the suburb by relatives and send to them.
Along with the night activities, almost every house fry “Bombo” in the evening and stored for the next day which is the ansuma.
Still in the night, the youth storm out of their houses with excitment to take part in the fire cracking. They throw firewoods in the air or on trees and the colliding of these fires make a delightful fire cracking scene to watch. This somehow makes it a fire festival.
Day 2: (10th Day of Jimbenti):
The second day is Jimbenti “Ansuma” (Jembenti Morning Greeting). This ansuma takes the same ansuma format as done during Duŋu (Eid-ul Adha), Kyeusuŋ (Eid-ul Fitr). People move from houses to houses to greet one another, return bowls, receive gifts and blessings from family and friends among others. This is where the “bombo” becomes the centre of attraction. It’s a special delicacy that every one wants to eat on Jimbenti Ansuma Day.
After the Ansuma, Jimbenti is over. However, football games and other fanfare activities are organised in contemporary celebrations in the afternoon and in the night.
Sadly, these festivals are fading.
Happy Jimbenti to you All.
- Written by Toppie Suleiman
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