BY EZEKIEL DONTINNA
Saturdays, being the Ngas Village weekly market days at the Jos Museum Plateau State, is gradually becoming a huge site attraction as many trooped in to relax and have a feel of these sweet traditional foods, meat and drinks at weekends.
This Initiative was specially conceived in 2018 by the Executive Council of Ngas Development Association (NDA) led by Nde Gonen Gofwen, the immediate past President, to market their rich traditional foods and drinks as well as cultural attires.
Although, it was at first somehow low key probably, for poor information some weeks back when it was officially opened on June 8, 2024, but the story is quite different now because yesterday’s turn out was fabulously rich and lively.
Yesterday, being the last market day was filled to brim as Ngas traditional foods, meat, clothes and drinks were displayed for sons and daughters to buy and taste and it was awesome.
There were Nam-ass, Mun-Shwe, Mos-kas, Mos-Naza, Ngwim-ass, Puk-kul, Puk-lengdeng, Puk-jijam, Mwan, Nam-kam and lot more. Those who came were seen eating and drinking their traditional foods as some went round to feed their eyes admiring the beautiful architectural designed traditional buildings.
It started around 8am with few who came early, but it gradually snowballed into a mammoth crowd later in the afternoon. This appeared so unique as others from different nationalities dashed the line to be part of this great initiative.
Apart from relaxing and having the enjoyable meals at this market, there was the economic benefits added to this innovation. It availed these women who brewed and cooked this traditional drinks and foods the opportunity to gain income.
You need to see how these women struggled for space. The market was demarcated for individuals who have shown interest or something to sell.
Interacting with some great sons and daughters of Ngasland at the market, Professor N. N. Wanang, of the University of Jos said, “Ngas Village is one of the best thing that has happened to Plateau State because I look at it as a concept of bridging opportunities.
“There was a disconnect between the older and the younger ones unlike in those days, but now with this creation, I can drive from office to Ngas Village and sit with my brothers and sisters and interact with them.
“It is an opportunity for us again to reunite, mend fences and for older, middle class and the younger ones to meet. That is how I look at it. I am sure some of our brothers did not know. As we move along, we will continue to advocate and advertise so that, it will become a hub for every Ngas man and woman”, he hoped.
On his part, Major JD Gongu (RTD), described the ideas as wonderful saying, “since 2018 when the Ngas Nation hosted Museum Day, I thought the place was not functioning because I have not come here. What I have seen is beyond my expectations.
“The crowd I have seen here is thought provoking and awesome. I just wish the Ngas Nation especially NDA and NYM take up to will this place, I am telling you, we will seize the entire crowd within Jos/Bukuru metropolis.
“If this is the initiative of the Ngas Nation as far as this village is concerned, I think it is going to really play a very prominent role in uniting the Ngas people. I am really optimistic about the whole thing because it will bring unity and progress. I want to thank those who initiated this”, he enthused.
Meanwhile, the immediate past President of the Ngas Development Association (NDA), Nde (Engr) Gonen Gofwen, thanked sons and daughters of Ngasland for the support given to them to achieve this great and unique feat.
He disclosed that, “there was a need for the National Museum Centre to allocate space for Nations to own a place. We took that as a challenge and started demonstrating our capacity in having this traditional houses here and it developed alot of interest by the MOTNA Management.
“In fact, it will interest you to know that, even film makers were exposing the good site, having seen the set up of the Ngas Nation. Our target now is to make this place very lively and valuable.
“We have applied to quite a number of organisations. In fact, we have applied to one Government Programme to install tanks and by God’s grace, this will come sooner or later. Also, one of our sons, the Speaker, Plateau State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Gabriel k. Dewan, has shown commitment to drill a borehole for us”, he narrated.
Gofwen thanked the Member representing Kanke Constituency Hon. Joseph Gokum, for donating funds amounting to a million naira for construction of most of the structures at the Ngas Village. He also thanked the Management Committee of the Ngas Village led by the Madaki Ballang-Shipang, Nde Chingdapba Ngop.
The Ngas Elder rated the turn out high and promised to bring his family for them to enjoy this beautiful home, calling on the Ngas Nation to give the same support he enjoyed while as President to the new Executive because he saw potential in the new Executive.
However, while sampling of opinions of some marketers at the Ngas Village, Mrs. Rinret Walbe Gowal, who sells Mun-shwe with Puk-fori, Puk-jijam, Puk-lengdeng, beer and other traditional foods said, the patronage was great and that she has made huge sales saying, “we pray that by next week more people will come for us to make more sales.
For Dorcas Augustine Gompil and Nenzar Yusuf, who sell Mos-Naza and Mos-kas, it was a good market day for them because they were able to sell all and felt they should have brewed more. They pray God to help them progress in their businesses.
Mr. Alex Merkuk Kutji, who sells bottled beer described the turned out as impressive compared to what happened last week and expressed optimism that the market would flourish when adequate information was passed to other Ngas sons and daughters and that, it would bring progress to Ngasland.
All efforts to reach the Nam-ass seller proved abortive because of how busy she was attending to customers. She was surrounded by people who wanted to buy and it was tough for our correspondent to get her attention.
Interestingly, however, the market was not left for Ngas people alone as Chris Azak, from the Afizere Nation was part of game. He described the initiative as a way of preserving culture by bringing new innovations into play saying, “when you check round the Museum, there is nothing of this nature and in fact, I am so impressed.
“I pray this market will grow and change the narrative about how peaceful Plateau people are. This is great and commendable and should be promoted”, Azak prayed for the Ngas Nation.
There was a minute of silence observed in honour of the immediate past Vice President II of Ngas Development Association (NDA), Late Nde Kuriya K Deyin, who was among the key players in this initiative. It was led by Nde Francis Kopdimma, the Secretary of Ngas Village Management Committee as all those who came stood up in respect to the deceased. May his soul rest in peace with the Lord. Amen!
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