Bugum Festival which is also known widely as fire festival is celebrated by the people of the northern region. It is celebrated on the 10th day of the first month of the year. This month is called “Bugum goli “ by the people from the northern part of the country, Ghan. This festival is celebrated at night mostly after supper. It is characterized by dancing of “Ziem” while holding fire in the sky. The 18th of August marked the celebration of the famous fire festival. The anticipation alone revealed how joyous the celebrants are and prepared towards the celebration.
Bugum Chugu is a traditional celebration in which the celebrants dress up as warriors and carry cudgels and cutlasses. They commemorate the holiday by dancing and playing ziem. The Festival is simply called Bugum Chugu.
The celebrants converge at the house of the chief priest, the palace of the chief or any traditional place to commence the celebration. They walk while holding the fire above dancing and jubilating. Some exhibit their spiritual might in the process. The sound of the drum alone will lure anybody around to join the celebration. As they walk, they proceed to a special and specific destination where they throw their fires towards a tree or any object. In case of the tree, some of the people harvest the leaves and send them home to boil for usage. These leaves serve medicinal purposes.
That is the how the fire festival is celebrated.