Sukur Yawal National Festival (Pave walkway to Sukur World Heritage Site)

Sukur Yawal Festival, a National festival of thanksgiving to the almighty creator as well as to the gods and ancestors for a good harvest and prayers for another good year, preparing the people for the next planting season. The Yawal festival which lasts for four days is organized by the Traditional head (HIDI) together with the 22 title holders of Sukur. When they sight the moon they then agree for a date for the festival. The first day of the festival known locally as Yawal Dubba is the moment when sacrifices are made at many local shrines indicating the official commencement of the celebration. Yawal Patha is the second day of the festival and is largely in honour of the HIDI’s palace. Yawal Matuhidi, the third day of the festival is marked in honour of the queen. The fourth day is the final day of the festival known as the Yawal Nduli. The Hidi, his chiefs and titled men come out in a procession and dance to Yawal Gam (Festival ground). Symbolic rituals are performed before hitting the route to the staging ground of the festival. Dalatu, the prominent personality is a key factor in the festival. His head is bald except for a lock of hair that lies just above his forehead. When he dies the lock of hair is cut off. He carries out many of the rituals during the Yawal Festival. He resides in the Hidi’s palace, which is the living heart of the festival. At the Yawal Gam (festival ground) there are more dances by members of the 25 clan of the Sukur kingdom and prayers are also offered to protect the Hidi and all those involved in the Festival.