By Ezekiel Dontinna
Last Saturday was an amazing and interesting show to watch, when the Mos-lun Dancers from Jenta-Adamu of Jos-North Local Government Area, matched into the Ngas Village Market Jos with thrilling performances.
The entire Market came to a standstill as these women colourfully dressed in their attires entertained people who came to relax and have good times with friends, patronising locally made foods.
Sponsored by the Management Committee of the Ngas Village, these women accompanied by some elders matched all the way from Jenta-Adamu dancing admiringly to the Ngas Village Market.
To many sons and daughters of Ngasland who have longed left home and missed or rather, never seen this beautiful Mos-lun dance, it was quite a refreshing moment for them to watched.
The stunning views of the stylish clash of the sticks in the air was quite unique as they chorused differently, dancing round in rhythm to the beats on drum and the two special shekere (Cheh).
This, truly showcased how rich Ngas culture is as it reflects the old days practices. It also acquaint the younger generation who have not been at home to witness Mus-lun festival and how to dance.
In fact, the reception these Mus-lun dancers got on arrival was a perfect reminder of how eager people were ready to see again how this festival is celebrated and danced down home.
Led by Rin Ngas Jenta-Adamu, Nde Musa Munkagak, the dancers were received as the tradition recognised, by the Management Committee Secretary of Ngas Village, Nde Francis Kopdimma, on behalf of the NDA. He commended them for honouring their invitation to display to admiration of this mammoth crowd.
The most interesting part of last week, was the visit by some groups who were on excursion to the National Museum Jos. Among those who came were “The People of Gidanka” from Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT). They joined the Mus-lun Dancers and were happily dancing, admiring the dance saying, “we are happy to be here!”
Although, the Management Committee of Ngas Village Jos, led by Nde Chingdapba Ngop, the Madaki Ballang-Shipang, had wished to showcase if possible, the following cultural dances every month which started with: Mus-lun Dancers last Saturday.
According to the committee, subsequent ones like: Minawan Dancers Jos-North; Minawan Dancers Jos-South; Dantala & Groups; Sombi Dancers; Agwasa Group; Dawus Group; Jep Bel Dilla; Mos-Tar Dancers; Nahyet Dancers;
Christopher & Group; JNR Richard Group; Pargol Group and lots more, at the expense of any spirited individuals and sons and daughters of Ngasland.
However, among people spoke at last Saturday market to some Content Creators, were the Nde Gonen Gofwen, the immediate past President of Ngas Development Association (NDA), Mr. Andrew Ajijah, of the The Voice Newspaper, published by Benue State Government and many others.
The former NDA President, whose tenure was the brain behind establishing this Ngas Village, commended the Management of Museum a d MOTNA for understanding the rocky nature of the Ngas people to have allocated this rocky place for them.
He disclosed that, when the need for the museum (now under MOTNA) to allocate space for all the associations, they were intimated to be a part of this and they got a rocky site which according to him, matched their rocky settlement which was a sign of hardwork.
While emphasizing on the importance of showcasing the Ngas cultural dances, Gofwen noted that, some of the Ngas sons might have married non-Ngas women, and it was for the children to avail themselves and know some of the culture they have.
“That’s why today we are mixing it up with some of the dances. And above all, the coming together of people is building unity of not the Ngas, but Plateau and the entire Nigeria. I love it.
“In fact, I just went up there and met some group of people having their local food. They are coming from Adamawa State. And that shows that we will open doors to other tribes to come and demonstrate”, he reiterated.
With this, it is believed that the weekly Ngas Village market will continue to receive sponsors of above listed dancers so that, together, Plateau people will once again be united towards building a culturally rich State, taking advantage of the huge natural endowment they are blessed with.
More of this would be expected tomorrow! Long Live Plateau State! Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!
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