By Dauda Reng Pam JP
Culture, the world over has been identified as a virtue that defines or distinguishes one ethnic group from another. It is in recognition of this pivotal place of culture in the society and the need to avert the possibility of language endangerment and extinction that communities observe and celebrate cultural festivals. This reminds us, from time to time, that we are indeed a unique set of people with a unique culture, with diverse traditional values and rituals that should be cherished and preserved for generations yet unborn.
In Plateau State for instance, there are various cultural festivals including but not limited to the Pusdung, Puskat, Izerichi, Nzem Berom and the AMOK IBAAS FORON just to mention but a few.
Amok Ibaas is the apex ancestral cultural ritual of the Ibaas people of Ibaas-Foron Chiefdom in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State. The festival which, hithertor,was usually conducted once in two years by our ancestors and often hosted by the paramount head of IBAAS people, basically to offer prayers to God heralding the setting in of the rainy season as well as to usher in farming and planting activities across Ibaas land and sometimes shortly after the rains to seek for God’s blessings for bumper harvesting seasons.
However, the 2021 Amok Ibaas cultural festival is unique and historic in many ways as God Almighty,”aDakunom” has been so gracious and merciful to the Ibaas people.
Worthy of note is the recognition accorded to the Ibaas people among the committee of various ethnic nationalities not only on the Plateau but across the country.
As if that is not enough,the monumental elevation of the traditional stool of our paramount ruler to Gwom Ibaas Foron, is yet another feat to the status of a third class monarch by His Excellency the leader of the Rescue Team on the Plateau, Governor Simon Bako Lalong,”Ikpaat Ibaas” of Ibaas land.
This, to the Ibaas people is worthy of pomp and pageantry, hence the essence of this grandiose epoch making fiesta, coinciding with the month of the coronation of His Royal Highness Da Dr Luka Pagyang Pam JP, at about this time in 2019 when he was presented with a staff of office and letter of administration as the first Gwom Ibaas of Ibaas-Foron chiefdom in Barkin-ladi local council.
This gesture will no doubt remain indelible in the annals of history not only in Ibaas land but Plateau state Nigeria and the world at large.
It is in this wise that the President,Ibaas Foron Development Organization(IFDO),RtHon.Isa Chungwom Song in collaboration with office of Gwom Ibaas Foron chiefdom and traditonal council deemed it expedient to invite no less a personality than the Executive Governor of Plateau State,His Excellency,Rt Hon. Simon Bako Lalong, the ‘IKPAAT IBAAS’
of Ibaas Foron Chiefdom as the special guest of honour.
The occasion which took place at Zaron,Ibaas Foron Chiefdom on Friday and Saturday, 10-11 December,2021 under the chairmanship of Hon. Yusuf Gagdi,member Federal House of Representatives Abuja and Ngo Naomi Jugu as Chair-lady.
Other dignitaries who graced the occasion were the former Minister of Sports,Hon Damishi Sango, gubernatorial aspirants including David Victor Dimka and Gontiri among many others.
Host of Royal Fathers also graced the cultural festival in their numbers from within and outside the state especially Nasarawa,Taraba and Bauchi states.
The ceremony, the first of its kind in recent times also attracted high profile dignitaries from all walks of life including National and state legislators, Captains of industries banks and business moguls as well as Chief Executives of ministries, departments and agencies MDAs, among other esteemed invited guests.
