Pusdung: Ngas festival of arts and culture.

Nigeria is one of the nations known for its rich cultural diversity. With over 300 ethnic groups, it is home to the Ngas (Angas), one of the country's smaller ethnic groups.

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The Ngas people are primarily located in Plateau State, Nigeria. They are known as warriors and are highly cultural and traditional. They are known for their unique lifestyle, which includes music and entertainment. Annually, they hold celebrations like the Pusdung Festival, Mostar, Kuwang (a festival of cleansing and gratitude), and Moskwat of Per (a festival of fertility), which are just a few examples of how they honour their cultural heritage. These festivities capture the spirit of Ngas identity, togetherness, and gratitude.

Every year, Mostar marks the end of the rainy season and the beginning of the harvest. In the Ngas language, "MOS" refers to a festival, while "TAR," which means "month of harvest," shows the change in seasons, which is typically observed during harvest seasons. A shooting of the moon rite is performed during this event to mark the end of one season and the start of the next.

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The pusdung is the Ngas festival of arts and culture; however, it is a major part of the Ngas cultural heritage. This celebration does not only showcase the spirit of togetherness, thanksgiving, and ethnic pride of the people but also unites the Ngas people, strengthens ties within the community, and highlights their unwavering spirit. Year after year, Ngas sons and daughters from both within and outside the Plateau State come to witness this historic event.

The Pusdung Festival was originally a one day event, but in recent years it has evolved into a week-long event filled with so many activities, starting with the carnival, which brings friends and family from every corner of the country. The festival is usually marked during the Easter season.

The pusdung festival is a reflection of the enduring commitment of the Ngas people to preserve and celebrate their cultural heritage in the face of modernization and change. The festival serves as an avenue to showcase traditional attire; some of the men wrap dried goat skin around their waists with cowtails around their arms, while some of the women adorn their waists with leaves and cultural beads around their necks, arms, and wrists. Competitions such as dancing competitions, beauty pageant contests, etc. are part of the activities.

The commencement of Pusdung begins with prayer for blessings upon the land and its people, acknowledging the importance of spirituality and gratitude in Ngas culture. Beyond traditional activities, dancing, and music accompanied by the local musical instruments, Pusdung is a time for feasting, where traditional Ngas delicacies such as mun kuzuk with puk fori or nwap with mwer pet and the local drinks mos and wer are generously shared among the community and guests.

Pusdung also serves as an avenue for showcasing Ngas artefacts, arts, and crafts. Ngas entrepreneurs usually use this as an opportunity to exhibit their goods, both locally crafted and sourced from beyond, thereby contributing to the economic vitality of the community while preserving traditional craftsmanship and skills.

The annual celebration of these festivals, especially pusdung, by the Ngas people is a way of ensuring they keep their heritage alive for all generations.