Bɛɛl Heu (Woori) Festival

Bɛɛl Heu (Woori) Festival is an annual festival under the two Traditional Leaderships of Bɛɛl Heuhin (Siayo) and Bɛɛl Koro (Jara) with the support of the Elders and the People of Bɛɛl (Bole) Traditional Area. The ancient practice is symbolic and unique to the Vagla of Gonja.

Bɛɛl Heu (Woori) Festival is an Annual Traditional Festival of the Vagla People of Western Gonja in an ancient Vagla Community called Bɛɛl (currently spelt Bole). Bɛɛl is the original name of today's Bole. The Vagla are the Aborigines of Bɛɛl (Bole) and the Vagla are believed to have migrated from their ancestral homeland of Isala (Sissala land) currently in the Upper West Region. This makes the Vaglas the indigenes of Northern Ghana, whose origin is in Northern Ghana. The other Gur tribe are the Kassena/Kasem whom the Vagla Tribe is closely associated, and the Vagla are believed to be of the same extraction or origin or once lived in the same territory before the Vaglas left their homeland (Sissala and Kassena/Gursi lands formerly in the Upper Region) of Northern Ghana. The Vaglas have since lived in Bɛɛl for over 600-700 years as the First Occupiers and the Custodians of Bɛɛl (Bole). This is not contestable. Thus, the Vagla Tribe is the first Gonja Tribe in Bole. The Founder of Bɛɛl (Bole) is called Naboma POGU while Bɛɛl Koro BAMARA was blessed by POGU as his successor of Vagla Chiefdom of Bɛɛl (Bole). KORO BAMARA remains a mystery in Bɛɛl of his mysterious birth and death. Koro Bamara spirits around Bɛɛl (Bole) established Korubol as the seat of the Bɛɛl Chiefdom. Koro Bamara's Legacy lives forever.

Bɛɛl is believed to be one of the four oldest Vagla communities in Western Gonja. The Vagla communities currently fall largely within three political districts namely Bole, Sawla-Tuna-Kalba and the West Gonja Municipality. It is also believed that other Vagla communities have settled in other parts including the current Central, and North Gonja Districts of the Savannah Region. The only part of Gonja that the Vagla Tribe is not known to have settled or occupied much in Gonja is Eastern Gonja (Salaga/Kpembe areas).

Bɛɛl Heu (Woori) Festival is an Annual Festival usually celebrated within the Months of April-May. The Bɛɛl Heu (Woori) Festival involves the HUNTING FOR GAME-WILD ANIMALS, especially Rabbit (‘Chooma’). It is important to note that the deity or the god of Bɛɛl (Bole) is called Bɛɛl Heu. Thus, the hunt for Rabbit(s) is the key part of the festival. The practice of chasing or hunting for Rabbit is what the Vagla called WOORI part of Annual Bɛɛl Heu (Woori) Festival.

As the customs and the traditions of Bɛɛl demand, the 2024 Annual Bɛɛl Heu (Woori) Festival was announced to the public in Bɛɛl (Bole) and its immediate environs which lasted for three days. Below is the announcement made before the commencement of the Bɛɛl Woori Festival:

Significance of the Bɛɛl Heu (Woori) Festival

The Festival is a period of making vows and renewal of vows for peace and good of the people. Thus, Bɛɛl Heuhin is the embodiment of the people, he carries the taboos of the people of Bɛɛl as such the Chief Priest (Heuhin) does not eat new food, so he makes sacrifices for Bɛɛl people.

THE ANNUAL TRADITIONAL WOORI FESTIVAL OF BEEL (BOLE)

The Chief Priest (Heuhin), Beel (Bole) Traditional Area SIAYO DAANI JAKALA II at Balbol (Balpe) and Beel Koro Jara Donweh Bamara XV at Korubol (Korupe)

Respectfully invite you to the celebration of the Annual Sacred Woori Festival of Beel (Bole) at Balbol (Balpe). The Woori Festival is 3 days of traditional activities.

Dear Sons and Daughters of the LAND/Beel (Bole) Traditional Area and beyond, are cordially invited to join Beel Traditional Leadership to observe the Purification Rite.

PROGRAMME LINE UP

• SATURDAY- April 13, 2024 - From Mid-Night ZINGO DANCE till dawn.
• SUNDAY- April 14, 2024 – Afternoon (1-3 pm) WOORI (Rabbit Hunting)
• MONDAY- April 15, 2024- Eating Traditional/Local Food (Sacred Meals)

AT THE END OF THE FESTIVAL, THE CHIEF PRIEST (HEUHIN): DAANI JAKALA II AT BALBOL (BALPE) AND BEEL KORO: JARA DONWEH BAMARA XV AT KORUBOL (KORUPE) EXPRESSED THEIR HAPPINESS/APPRECIATION TO ALL WHO JOINED AND SUPPORTED THE ANNUAL FESTIVAL IN KIND AND CASH.

Credit: BƐƐL HEUHIN DAANI JAKALA II AND BEEL KORO DONWEH BAMARA XV

Compilation by: JKAhiah, KORUBOL