How the Dallah Festival Came to Be

A long time ago, or maybe not so long ago, there was a King in the mighty Mali Empire named Musa Massa. He was known for miles around as a mighty warrior, but also as a man of great learning, who ruled his Kingdom firmly but fairly. He was also very pious, and had sworn for many years that one day he would embark on a mighty journey to a far away land in which resided the holiest site in his part of the world. As he grew older, this journey became more important each year, and finally he decided that during the year that he became 50, he would take it upon himself to go.

As the winter came to a close, he began his preparations. The pass through the mountains which lead out of his country and into the Sahara desert was so high that it was blocked by snow and ice until May, so he had to have everything ready by that time. He summoned all of the camel breeders to his palace and told them that he needed 1000 of the finest camels in the land to carry him and his entourage to this holy land. They in turn chose their best camels and scoured the neighboring lands for more. As the beasts were being assembled, he had his royal merchants search for the finest silks, ivory and musk to take as offerings for the festival. He bade his royal treasurer to prepare 300 camel loads of gold to use to buy provisions on the trip, and to have to donate at shrines and holy places at their destination.

Finally, it was time to go. All of the camels were loaded, his wives and children riding on the backs of elephants, his guards and militia riding only the finest horses, the entire line of 1000 camels groaning and complaining as they got up from their kneeling positions and commenced the expedition. They were quite the sight, all riding in a line, bright banners and flags waving, children running and screaming behind the elephants, and shrill bugles calling to the guards as they rode off towards the horizon.

As they crossed the lands of the Mali Empire in approach to the mountains, they soon came out of the lands which were familiar. They began to encounter many sick and weak people. When they asked what had happened to them, they told of a drought which had gone on for three years, which had killed many people. They told the long camel train that they would find no food in front of them all of the way to the mountains which marked the edge of their land.

The camel train had brought along many provisions, but not enough to cross their land without replenishment. As the days turned to weeks, their supplies began to dwindle. They had to ration their food, and each meal began to get a little smaller. It became common for everyone to feel hungry when they went to sleep, and again when they awoke. It soon became apparent that they would not make it over the mountains with only the food that they had.

When everyone was so hungry that they couldn’t continue, they made camp, and Musa Massa and his advisors walked to the nearest village and asked to speak to their Elders. When the Elders arrived, Musa offered them a handful of Kola nuts as a sign of respect, and asked for their advice. Musa said “We have stretched our food as far as we can, we have so many people I fear we may all die if we cannot find more food. Can you help us?” The Elders said they had no food themselves, but after deliberating amongst themselves they came back and said this: “Over the next hill is a large lake, which we call Dallah lake. We have been forbidden to fish in it as long as we can remember—the story goes that we cannot fish in it until the greatest of all leaders comes here in need. We consulted our holy man, and he said that this is the moment which has been foretold, for who has ever ruled such a large land as you? And you are known to be not only strong, but fair and just. Follow us to the lake.”

Musa went back to his people and bade them to follow the road to the lake. When they arrived, people from 80 villages were streaming in and setting up their tents and shelters. The women had all brought their fishing nets, and began throwing them into the lake and dragging out huge catches of fish. Since no one had ever fished in the lake, it was overflowing with fish. When the fish began to be cooked, all of the best drummers and dancers began to play and dance, and a festival began to take place. Tables were set up and everyone began to eat this surprisingly bountiful feast. The celebration and feasting continued for three days and three nights, and everyone agreed that they had never celebrated so thoroughly or ebulliently.

On the last day, Musa and his followers dried enough fish to take them over the mountain pass and on to the next land, where they would be able to find more food. All of the villagers who had gathered for this feast agreed that for ever more, no one would fish in this lake, except once a year, when they would hold a festival to commemorate this great event. They would call it the Dallah Festival and would hold it to remind themselves that at our time of greatest need, unexpected bounty can always descend and take us through our hardest times.

Musa and his people left on that last morning, well fed and headed for the pass which lead to the rest of their pilgrimage. Many exciting deeds and events happened on that trip, but that is another story.