By Mafugi Ceesay
More than one thousand natives of Pirang on Thursday began a two-day cultural festival designed to preserve the village’s rich tradition and culture.
It was marked by musical performances and a narration of the history of the village as well as the identification of traditional spiritual and cultural sites in the village.
Speaking to The Standard on the significance of the event, Sheriffo Kah Bojang, a respected member of the community, said with this initiative, which will now be staged annually, the history of Pirang and historical landmarks in the village would not be lost. “We want our children to know the cultural and traditional sites and that cannot happen without an initiative like this festival; so we welcome this brilliant idea of the young people and we will support them by all means,” he said.
Lamin Bojang, member of the VDC, said the event was conceived to instill traditional and cultural values in the young people as well as provide an avenue for the villagers to interact and contribute to the general development of the village such as school and health center.
“This kind of programme also brings all the youths together and makes collective fund raising easier and our intention is to bring all the various youth groups in the village under one umbrella body,” he noted.
Councilor Lamin Dibba of Pirang ward said the initiative will unearth many hidden historical and cultural sites in Pirang which can be products to attract tourism. “We will try to make next year’s event even bigger and showcase the history of the village from its founding to now,” the Councilor said.
Alkalo Moro Sama Bojang said the festival is already an agent for unity because it has brought everyone together as natives not under a political party or tribe. He said when he was young all children growing in Pirang knew places like Fafa-joi, Mansa-Jembere, Mesireh-Kototo and Mangakamang-Sita among others, all of which have interesting history that must be taught to the young generation at festivals like the one organized last weekend.
