BY EZEKIEL DONTINNA
What started like drops of puddles coalesced into a small stream flowing through a lake-stored water base, later became a confluence of social and cultural display of unity as sons and daughters, and friends of Ngas speaking people trooped in to share in their funs therein the market.
The unusual colour added to this Saturday Ngas Village Market situated along the Jos Museum yesterday, was thrillingly unique as different people and dance groups pump up the market with music and dance styles coming from some Jos based Artists.
What appeared more attractive to mention was the colourful display of cultural artefacts at both entrance and the market show room . Ngas native costumes and antiques were seen displayed for interested sons and daughters who may wish to patronise.
To note, is the consistency shown in driving this dream behind setting such a historic and first of its kind market here on the Plateau. It wasn’t a catch-22 situation to start with, but an ardent desire that was already a cooked plan that saw the creation of the Ngas Development Association (NDA) in the first place.
Love, unity and prosperity (Rot, Kangkhike dang Metpokin), as been the motto of NDA, was basically to bring them together as one a people, knowing how adventurous they are in nature. It was also to help promote their cultural heritage in the face of this current generational collapse in moral and cultural certitudes.
However, for some among many sons and daughters of Ngasland out there, it is a must embraced idea, because this is an opportunity especially for those who have been in diaspora all through and do not know much about their culture.
Yesterday, one of the Ngas sons who could not hide his show of love and interest for his culture, Nde Wokji Gerlong, took his family to this market and it was quite awesome. He was busy seen taking his family round to see and taste the varieties of Ngas traditional foods displayed at the market.
It was truly more like home coming to the family especially, the little Arrit Gerlong, who was all over dressed in the Ngas cultural attires and dancing, following the beats coming from the local guitar (Diengdieng).
Expressing her feelings and joy while in an interview with our correspondent at market, Mrs. Nanko Gerlong, who is from the Tarok extraction, but married to Nde Wokji Gerlong, said the visit to the Ngas Village has exposed her to many things saying, “I thought I know somethings about the Ngas people, but this is an eye opener.
“I have seen quite alot and have experienced things that I have not seen. I have seen the people, the culture and how they live especially, where the King stays, how the Ngas man dresses, farms and so many items used in the community.
“Oh, this is excellent! I am quite impressed with what I have seen so far. I was even told that this is just the beginning and that, there is more to come. I pray and hope that they get more support so that, when we come next we will see more of it”, she prayed and hoped.
Mrs. Gerlong, described the Ngas Village as a great place one needs to visit and experience culture suggesting that, there should be a vernacular department where Ngas language would be taught to sons and daughters especially, those in the diaspora who cannot speak Ngas language.
On his part, Nde Wokji Gerlong, whose root is from Wuselli District in Pankshin LGA of Plateau State, said, “this is my first time of coming to the Ngas Village and it is wonderful. I brought my family to come and experience the Ngas culture and the kids are so excited to see the different aspects of the Ngas culture here.
“This, for me, is a very good foundation. It is going to unite all sons and daughters of Ngasland because it stands as a rallying point for us and I believe Ngas people will be proud of this place and, at any point in time they can come and continue to see the culture at play here”, he enthused.
While expressing concern over the left behind spirit of inculcating values of Ngas in the children, Gerlong, added that, “actually, that is one mistake we have made over the years in not inculcating our culture in our children.
“We have Ngas men in the diaspora, but they have not had any opportunity to learn the language and know or experience this culture as my family is experiencing it today.
“I hope as much as possible and I know that, it is not going to be easy for everybody to learn, but as we modernise, the Ngas Community should develop a form where even those that are away will get the opportunity to experience this”, he suggested .
Nde Wokji Gerlong, however, advocated for a full documentary of the Ngas culture to be circulated on either social media or other platforms so that, it would go a long way in helping even those in the diaspora to experience the rich culture.
Meanwhile, the political class were not left out in the yesterday’s Saturday market. The All Progressive Congress (APC)’s Candidate of Kanke Local Government in the forthcoming Council Elections, Nde James Goleng, was at this Ngas Village Market to have a feel of the it as he was walked round amidst crowd.
It was really a population overflow yesterday. People were all over the spaces available for them to sit. The must interesting part of it as always been in the past two months, was the full participations of people from other ethnic nationalities on the Plateau.
There, one could hardly differentiate who is Ngas and not, which shows that the prediction of a better and united Plateau is certain. In fact, the only means of identifying one was when you pop into people using another tongue.
Truly, it was one united Plateau, with Berom, Mwagavul, Tarok, Gamai, Mupun, Chip, Afizere, Anaguta, Irigwe, Buji, Ron, Kulere, Mushere, Dimak, Bugum, Jar, Ganawuri, Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa and other nationalities exchanging pleasantries and engaging fully in socioeconomic focus of this market.
Among other shop owners at the this Ngas Village Market, was one Miss Jana Juryit, a POS service business owner, who expressed optimism that the market would surely flourish. She revealed that, the business has been better compared to when she first came.
She disclosed that, “the patronage has been fair because I see more people coming to withdraw as the demand increases time to time. I started with a hundred thousand naira, but today I was able to dispense up to four hundred thousand naira”.
That, on its own, is an indication of the fact that, economic activities is gradually picking up and could keep our youth busy. We pray that this will go a long way in contributing adequately to the peace process of Governor Caleb Mutfwang and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
This, of course, attest to fact that, the series of complaints and concerns raised by citizens, when the market was suspended due to the unfortunate #EndBadGovernance# protest that later forced the imposement of curfew on Jos/Bukuru metropolis last two weeks, demonstrated how they cherished peace and freedom.
Appreciably, the mammoth turn out to this market yesterday, was definitely not far-fetched from the total relaxation of curfew by the Executive Governor of Plateau State. A week before last was not as much as the population witnessed yesterday. May achieving peace continue to be our portion!
Streetbell Online 