15/09/2026
THE ANNUAL "TAGBA" FESTIVAL OF THE ACHA CLAN OF THE KUTEB NATION OF SOUTHERN TARABA.
The "Tagba Festival" is one of the major traditional festivals In Taraba State celebrated by the Acha clan of the kuteb people
1. WHO CELEBRATE IT?
ThE ACHA PEOPLE: an ancient Kuteb Clan of Takum LGA in southern Taraba State. Takum is in the Taraba South zone, bordering Cameroon.
The Acha are neighbours to their brothers, yukuben, kpanzon, Chamba, and Jukun people of Takum LGA and systematically separated from other Kuteb Clan via River Gamina.
2. WHERE IS IT LISTED?
The Taraba State government officially lists it as a recognized cultural festival:
Other festivals are the Kuchicheb of Kuteb in Takum, Purma of the Chamba in Donga, and Jibu culture dance in Bali, Tagba of Acha People in Takum, Takachiyawa of both Kuteb , Kpazoon and Chamba of Takum in Takum , Kati and Bol of the Mambilla, and a host of others.
So Tagba is the cultural identity festival of the Acha, just like Kuchecheb is for Kuteb and Nwunyu Fishing Festival is for Ibi.
3. WHAT IS IT ABOUT?
Like most festivals in southern Taraba, Tagba is:
a. Thanksgiving / Harvest festival. thanking the Rimampwapwen, gods/ancestors for bountiful farm harvest, protection from war and sickness.
b. Cultural showcase.- display of:
- Acha traditional dances and war dances
- Traditional wrestling
- Folk songs, drumming, flute
- Traditional attire (woven cloth, beads)
- Display of farming tools, hunting trophies
c Unity and History. it brings all Acha sons and daughters home, settles disputes, performs rites for peace, and initiates young men into manhood.
It is usually held in September every year during the rainy season after harvest, when farming is less busy and presided over by the Kukwen Tagba from Acha Sarka, Acha Nyim, Acha Fenkum(Shinda) and Acha Limpa In southern Taraba.
4. WHERE DOES IT HAPPEN
It is celebrated in Takum and surrounding Acha villages like; Acha sarka, Acha Nyim, Acha fenkum ( shinda) and Limpa. The paramount ruler of the area often graces the occasion. At are equally celebrated during Kuchicheb festival as a special presentation before the UKWE TAKUM and his visitors.
SINGERS
Tagba songs are mostly compose by Sage, poet, Warriors. The songs 99% proverbial which show the creative nature of an average Acha man. The songs aim at ridiculing evil, Mediocrity, criminality and upholding good characters and productivity.
CHALLENGE Confronting THE TAGBA FESTIVAL
Unfortunately there is very little documentation online about Tagba compared to other festivals. it’s one of those festivals that :
--suffers from lack of publicity and media coverage
-- bad roads.
--Poor communications network
-- lack of government support and recognition.
-- lack of sponsorship.
HAPPY TAGBA TO ALL KUTEB SONS AND DAUGHTER
HAPPY TAGBA TO ALL TARABAN
HAPPY TAGBA TO ALL UKWE TAKUM ROYALTY FANS
Compiled:by Comd.Irash Ande and Edited by Chief Diamond Rimamshong Joseph
