Every year the people of Damisa are looking forward to the annual celebration of the leopard. The leopard is the symbol of Damisa, which is based on the ancient
legend of Damisa.
Every year the Damisians come together and celebrate the "safety" of Damisa;
because that is what the leopard isknown for, bringing safety and good luck.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME
Free entrance for children.
Entrance adults: 5 Zahr
The annual leopard celebration
The people of Damisa have a violent history. After the corrupt
regime the people still do their best every day to keep up their spirits.
Everyone needs something to hope for, and the Damisians have deep faith in the
leopard. They come together every year to share the sorrow and pain of what has happened inthe past. Subconsciously, this may also come as a kind of resistance to the old
regime.
The corrupt regime
This belief actually came about because a lot of families suffered under the corrupt regime. To this day, many people are still trapped in the camps. The government is aware of this problem and is doing everything possible to offer the population a better and safer future.
We spoke with 30-year old Lana who attends the folk festival every year.
How do you experience the annual celebration?
"I experience the annual celebration together with my family and dedicate this day to my husband who is stillbeing held in the camps. From this day we draw hope that one day he will be released."
What is there to do at this celebration?
"It is a big folk festival where we honour the leopard and pray for him. The day starts with a festive breakfast where everyone brings some food and shares at the big table. Later in the day there is a big folk festival that is ushered in with Damisian music and rituals."
Where does the belief in the leopard come from?
"Because the old legend tells us that once in the village of Kirni a leopard saved a group of children fromhyenas. We see him as a symbol that he protects the people and will bring a good future."
The feast is the end of a week of praying to the leopard. This is richly celebrated and is something that every resident is looking forward to. Everyone comes together and talks about what they have been through and how they are building their futures. It is an important celebrationthat makes people feel that they are not alone. Almost 80% of the population participates in thisweek. Kirni is the centre for this folk feast, but it is a celebration of the whole country. In everyvillage here, the leopard is honoured.
Comments