Domafeign  Launches  Traditional Festival 

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To Settle Political  Differences 

The local advocacy  group operating  in Montserrado,  Bong and Gbaporlu  counties, “Domafeign”,  launches a traditional  festival   to reunite citizens  of Gbaporlu  County who have been massively divided. 

Domafeign  is using the traditional  festive  style  to bring  back  the locals  together  who got divided  over  their respective    political  alliances   and  when separate ways in giving their support  to their  candidates  of their choice. 

The political  struggle  didn’t  only cause  division  but  infused  sour relationships  by   putting towns and villages   against  each other and resulting  in the decline in cultural values. 

Speaking at the launched, in Cassel village on January 1, 2024. The Chief  Executive Director  of Domafeign Liberia, Mr.  Boimah  J. Coleman,  disclosed that the recent elections  created unprecedented  hatred among  the people  of  county and  nest thing needed now is unity to keep   the county moving  they  right  trajectory. 

He however disclosed  that, as a NGO involved into Human Rights  advocacy,  they are using the  occasion to  also speak about  the important of eradicating  Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

” The traditional  festival  has three different segments,  the indoor  is where will discussed  and settle  electoral related  conflicts, we  will also meet  in the Shrine, where only  the traditional  members  who are part of sande and poro will attend   to discuss  about the important  of the  ban on the FGM, after that, we will climax  with huge  performance  of Mark Dancers,”  Mr. Coleman   told Journalists  who went to cover the program. 

He  Said,  the are using the festival  to reach  at the breath and length  of the County to settle  every  electoral related  issue   among the people  and reunite  them as one, again.

The Festival was launched in Cassel village  which brought together  local leaders  from  nine towns and  villages, including: Njaboi,Weafua, Yangaryah, Zuo, Okai’s Village, Gbarma,  Momoh Seh  Village ,  Gbanday  and Cassel  Village.

Speaking  at the program,   the general   town  chief  of Yangaryah clan in Gbarma district,   Chief Jame O .Borbor,  said the action  taken by Domafeign  is the only option  to put the county and its people on the right  path.

According to him, the differences  among them have hindered  the developmental  growth  in their localities  and the only way to break  the barrier  is the call for dialogue  to have the issues  settle   and move forward  as  Domafeign  is doing. 

Chief  Borbor applauded  Domafeign  and their partner 

“ActionAid Liberia” for their persistent  support to building up their county and providing   awareness  among them to live in harmony. 

Also speaking,  Madam Hawa Armah, clan Chairlady  for Yangaryah,  explained  that the last elections  brought  hatred to the extent that until  now,  more people in the communities,  towns and  villages  can’t  speak  to each other nor  identify with one another. 

Chairlady  Hawa sees  the traditional festival  as a boost  to re-awaken  the cultural values that hold them together. 

” I am happy, because  I am sure we will be coming back together,  I have been going  from village  to village talking to our people  to forget about what happened  during  the elections.  From here again,   I will mobilize our people  to convey a   peace message to those who are not there  today,” Chairlady  Hawa Armah  committed. 

She added her voice to Domafeign message  and call on women and  youths  to  re-unite  and   work for the common goal of the county. 

However, she is calling on ActionAid Liberia and their implementing partner, Domafeign  to empower with the necessary materials needed to get rid of the harmful  part of the traditional practices ” FGM”  and continue with the positive part of the culture that holds them together. 

In conclusion,  the oldest and prominent elder of Cassel Village,  Pa  Samuel D. Komuquiah sr. Applauded Domafeign and ActionAid Liberia  for their peaceful  traditional  festival and said he is against  political  differences that result  in internal conflict.

Komuquiah sees the festival as a progress  saying  that the culture has been divided. 

“Nobody has seen a reason  to put the culture together; only  ActionAid Liberia  through  Domafeign  is trying  to do so. We will work with them to the end in order to  re- unite with each  for a single goal of the county”, Komuquiah  assured. 

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