Festivals · August · Northern

Damba

Chiefs on horseback, in the month of the Prophet

Damba is the biggest festival of Dagbon in the Northern Region, also kept by Mamprugu, Gonja and Wa. It falls in the month of Damba, the third month of the lunar year (Rabi al-Awwal), which marks the birth and naming of the Prophet Muhammad, though today it mostly celebrates chieftaincy: chiefs in smocks ride decorated horses to drumming and dancing before the Ya-Naa at Yendi.

Chiefs in striped smocks and white caps greeting each other at Damba
Chiefs in smocks at DambaBash222 · CC BY-SA 4.0
When
The month of Damba, the third lunar month; moves about 11 days earlier each year
Where
Yendi (the Gbewaa Palace), Tamale and towns across the north
Kept by
Dagbon, led by the Ya-Naa, and Mamprugu, Gonja and Wa
The stages
Somo Damba, Naa Damba, and the Bielkulsi climax
Region
Northern

When is Damba?

Damba follows the lunar calendar: it falls in the Dagomba month of Damba, which matches Rabi al-Awwal, the third month of the Islamic year, so it comes about eleven days earlier each year.23 In 2019 the Yendi celebration was in mid-November; in 2026 the month began in mid-August.1

The three stages

  1. Day 10

    Somo Damba

    The festival opens with the Somo Damba.1

  2. Day 17

    Naa Damba

    The chiefs’ Damba, with sub-chiefs riding decorated horses with their retinues, drumming and dancing.1

  3. Day 18

    Bielkulsi

    The climax, at the Gbewaa Palace durbar grounds in Yendi, presided over by the Ya-Naa, the overlord of Dagbon.1

What Damba means

Damba began as a marking of the Prophet Muhammad’s birth and naming, and has grown into a celebration of chieftaincy and Dagbon’s history.23 Dagbon sources credit its beginnings to the reign of Naa Zanjina, though it may be older.3

A chieftaincy dispute kept Damba from being held in Yendi for seventeen years; it returned in November 2019 after a new Ya-Naa was enskinned.1

Good to know if you go

  • Where: Tamale is the easiest base; Yendi is about two hours east, with the main durbar at the Gbewaa Palace.
  • In Nalerigu: Mamprugu keeps its own Damba at the Nayiri’s palace. See Damba in Nalerigu.
  • Horses: riders and their retinues move fast through the crowd. Keep to the edges.
  • Dress: smocks (batakari) are everywhere. Modest dress is respectful in Yendi and Tamale.
  • Respect the rites: some rituals are sacred and not for cameras. Ask before photographing chiefs, priests or anyone taking part, and follow what the ushers ask.

Questions people ask

When is the Damba festival?

In the month of Damba, the third month of the lunar year (Rabi al-Awwal). It moves about eleven days earlier each year; in 2026 it fell in late August and early September.

What does Damba celebrate?

It began as a marking of the Prophet Muhammad’s birth and naming and now mainly celebrates chieftaincy in Dagbon and its neighbours.

Where is the main Damba festival?

At the Gbewaa Palace in Yendi, seat of the Ya-Naa, with celebrations in Tamale and across the north.

Sources

  1. “Dagbon marks Damba festival after 17-year break”, Graphic Online, 18 November 2019.
  2. “Damba Festival: Northern Ghana’s largest cultural celebration”, Ghana Remembers.
  3. “Damba Festival: history, rituals and how Dagbon celebrates”, Dagbon Kingdom.

Last checked 16 October 2026. Spotted something wrong or know this year’s dates? Tell us.

Also in August

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