As the world becomes more integrated as a global village, several local cultures and traditions are gradually fading away.
Along with these, languages and historical facts are often lost.
To preserve their culture and teach their children their history, once a year, the Tangale people of Gombe State climb their ancestral hill to showcase their culture.
Gathered at the foot of this mountain range are the Tangale people.
They come together once every year to climb this mountain to preserve their tradition and remind them of their origin.
The Tangale people are believed to have originated from Yemen, in the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula.
They migrated west, then south, staying in about six places in North Africa before settling on this flat hilltop.
The location offered a vintage position and strategic advantage in wartime.
The traditional ruler of one of the Tangale kingdoms, The Mai Kaltungo, Engineer Sale Muhammadu established the mountain climbing festival seven years ago.
On the flat mountain top, the Mai leads his people to visit the legendary hole of the ancestral python.
Legend has it that the python gave protection to children of the Tangale people when their parents go farming or to war.
Just a few relics from the past remains
Then Came the traditional dancing, presentation of food and payment of homage, all to show the younger generation, the Tangale culture of respect, loyalty and hard work.
The Tangale people have embraced Western culture but they are still determined to maintain their traditions and sustain their rich heritage.
By getting their children involved early, they would not only preserve their culture but also save their language from going into extinction.
In this age where children know little about their history and traditions, it may become necessary for other ethnic groups to take a leave from the Tangale people.
