Traditional Worshippers Demand Equal Rights

The Ma-Ajin Pankshin and Ngo-Long Vel in Plateau State,  Nde Monday Tokzakka, has urged governments at all levels to consider traditional worshippers in the scheme of things by providing them palliatives to cushion the economic hardship being faced in the country.

The kingmaker to the Ngo-Long Pankshin traditional stool made the call while speaking on the sidelines of the celebration of the 2025 Morgi masquerade festival in Pankshin.

The festival is celebrated by the Ngas people of Pankshin district, Pankshin local government area of Plateau State.

Our correspondent reports that it is a traditional worshippers’ day when over 300 masquerades are displayed.

Tokzakka said they would soon conclude arrangements for registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) so that the three tiers of government would give them the necessary recognition like their Christian and Muslim counterparts.

“We understand that the state government gives them palliatives during Christmas and Sallah celebrations.  Traditional worship which is the first religion is not being carried along or considered for anything. We have not been given any attention or consideration, we are being relegated   to the background,” he said.

He pleaded with the Plateau State government to support  them to promote the annual Morgi cultural festival as the state is known as the ‘Home of Peace and Tourism”.

“The Morgi festival if sustained will also attracting tourists and generating revenue to the state because of the array of different masquerades that will be on parade,” he added.

According to him, all tribes in Nigeria can be found in Pankshin and they had always ensured that they are well-protected during the festival.

“The masquerades during procession are not allowed to enter government establishments, schools mosques, churches and business centers,” he said.

It was gathered that as part of the Morgi festival, during harvest time, masquerades are invited to monitor the harvest of grains from farms right to the storage in barns. Any day the masquerades comes out, there will be plenty of food to eat as they also bring seedlings for the next planting season.

Speaking on the significant of the festival, he further said it is a period of offering prayers for blessing of the land and bumper harvest and seek cleansing, forgiveness, healing and purification of the land from evil.

He warned that failure to preserve cultural heritage would lead to erosion of traditions and loss of historical knowledge and potentially cultural disconnection and confusion.

Also speaking, the Galadima Pankshin Nde Gobak Yilchir and Ngo-Long Chwil Nde Garba Yiltok underscored the need to preserve cultural heritage as it provides a sense of belonging and identity to individuals and foster community cohesion and social bonding.

According to them, showcasing culture helps to safeguard historical events, traditions and customs for future generations so that they can gain valuable insights into the past and its impact on the present.

They urged Pankshin sons and daughters not to forget their roots and to always endeavor to bring their children home to watch the festival for the sake of posterity.

The festival is celebrated annually from the first or second week of March to usher in the rainy and farming season and has been in existence for over 500 years.