How Pissi Tangale festival unites Billiri Chiefdom

Tangale people are found in Kaltungo, Shongom and Billiri Local Government Areas of Gombe State. They are said to have lived in the present Gombe State for over 100 years, having migrated alongside the Bolewa and other tribes from the Kanem-Bornu Empire. The seven clans that make up the Tangale chiefdom are Tangaltong, Tal, Kalmai, […]

Tangale people are found in Kaltungo, Shongom and Billiri Local Government Areas of Gombe State. They are said to have lived in the present Gombe State for over 100 years, having migrated alongside the Bolewa and other tribes from the Kanem-Bornu Empire.

The seven clans that make up the Tangale chiefdom are Tangaltong, Tal, Kalmai, Todi, Banganje, Nathe and Billiri, which is seen as the most important of all the clans.

Each settlement or clan has a head or chief, but the Mai Tangale, who is based in Billiri, serves as the paramount ruler and decides cases among the seven clans that make up the community, on major issues, including border disputes and deaths. He doubles as the custodian of the Tangale culture and tradition.

According to records, when the British colonialists entered Tangale land in 1906, the people were adherents of traditional religion, with each clan living in a group of hills.

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After a long resistance and fierce battle with the British forces, the people of Tangale were brought under colonial rule in 1907, during the time of Mai Wanah, the 11th Mai Tangale.

According to records, from Mai Giu (1818-1834), who was the first paramount ruler of Tangale chiefdom, 15 princes had served as Mai Tangale and custodians of Tangale tradition and culture, including the present Mai Tangale, Malam Danladi Sanusi Maiyamba, who is the 16th Mai Tangale.

Tangale people have distinct traditions and culture, even before the coming of the colonialists. Initially, they were adherents of traditional religions, but even after embracing Christianity and Islam, the Tangale people still observe some of their cultural rites.

An elder statesman who holds the title of Danmalikin Tangale, Mr Jibrin Dawa, said the Tangale people found in Kaltungo, Shongom and Billiri local government areas of present Gombe State share the same history, ancestry and language.

“During their journey, they settled in different places. It is believed that this journey took them about 350 years before they finally settled. It is difficult to mention some of the places they stayed before coming to present day Gombe.

“But they are all believed to have originated from Yemen, from the southwestern part of the Arabian Peninsula. We have several things in common, but there is a cultural deviation where they do not observe some cultural rituals that we do,” he said.

Notable among the numerous Tangale rites is the Pissi Tangale festival (Tangale Day). It is a special day that the Tangale people display their culture and technological advancement.

The festival was introduced by the 15th Mai Tangle, late Dr Abdu Buba Maisheru II, in 2006, as part of efforts to promote the Tangale culture and customs and also unite the Tangale people.

The cultural festival, usually celebrated on the last Saturday of December every year, is marked with the display of various farm produce, indicating that agriculture still remains the mainstay of the Tangale economy, as well as display of ancient cultural artefacts, traditional cuisines, cultural dresses and dances.

Also, district and villages heads, as well as title holders from the seven clans that make up the Tangale chiefdom, pay homage to the Mai Tangale alongside other visiting traditional rulers from within and outside the state.

Dan Malikin Tangale told Weekend Trust the reason behind the creation of Pissi Tangale festival.

“It is a very important day in the Tangale world. It is celebrated to fortify the unity of Tangale settlements, which has been in existence even before the coming of the colonial masters.

“Tangale’s advancement in ancient science and technology and traditional foods are showcased during the ceremony. We still observe the day because western culture is overshadowing our culture. During the day, all Tangale sons and daughters across the globe come back home to celebrate our cultural heritage,” he said.

Corroborating Dan Maliki’s narration, Secretary of the Tangale Elders Forum, Mr Telle K Elsa, described Pissi Tangale as a day that the Tangale showcase their identity to the world.

“It comprises a lot of activities. We showcase what we thrive on, which is farming and livestock rearing. We also showcase the technological prowess we have even before the coming of colonialists. For instance, our building aesthetics and other things that our forefathers lived upon.

“There is a tourist attraction at Kuma Tangale which is a statue of Mai Tangale sitting on his stool. There are some trees that we nurtured and some clothes that depict our culture and identity. I wish I wore one so that you can see it.

“Annually, to mark the day, we set up a committee under Dan Masanin Tangale, Mr Ankalel Yalyel. Research shows that the Tangale month starts on the 10th month and it is called Kavrang. We hold the ceremony at the beginning of the new year, which is the Kavrang month,” he said.

Mr Elsa added that there are changes in the time that the Pissi Tangale is observed, in order to attract more Tangale people living outside the land to attend.

“Now, a lot of Tangale indigenes are in the diaspora, and they mostly come back home during the Christmas celebration. So, it was decided that it would be perfect to hold the ceremony when most of them are back home, to record more attendance.

“We want this ceremony to be attended by all and sundry, so that the Tangale can know more about their culture and how things are done. That’s why we hold the ceremony in December just before the year rounds up,” he explained.

During the Pissi Tangale, it is all pomp and pageantry, as indigenes of Tangale ethnic extraction and other cultural enthusiasts throng the community to celebrate the day.

The Pissi Tangale is always marked uniquely with high profile personalities coming from far and near to grace the annual event, which undoubtedly serves to unify the Tangale living in the diaspora and their kinsmen at home.

The festival, celebrated on the last Saturday of December every year, features the display of various farm produce, indicating that agriculture still remains the mainstay of the Tangale economy, as well as display of ancient cultural artefacts, traditional cuisines, cultural clothings and dances.

However, Danmalikin Tangale said Pissi Tangale is facing several challenges which threaten its continuation.

“The biggest challenge this ceremony is facing is sponsorship. The Tangale people love this ceremony so much, and we record it on video for those that are unable to attend, but we depend on the government for sponsorship. If we do not have a friendly government like what is happening now, the ceremony faces challenges.

“Secondly, we want to be connected to the national tourism board so that the Tangale culture can be projected to the world. We attempted it during the time of Dr. Daniel Madok, the Sarkin Zangon Tangale, until the time I succeeded him but we could not achieve that,” he said.

Our correspondent reports that in the last four years, the Pissi Tangale festival has not held. The last time the festival held was in December 2019, during the reign of late Maisheru II.

Thus, since the current Mai Tangale, Malam Danladi Sanusi Maiyamba, ascended the throne in 2021, the festival has not held.