By PALANG KASMI
THE Gunnung clan of the Taroh nation on Saturday, September 6, 2025, held its third family reunion meeting in Langtang North Local Government Area of Plateau State. The annual fiesta was a colourful ceremony aimed at preserving its cultural heritage and ancestral values.
The historic gathering, hosted at the Gunnung House within the palace of the clan head, the Galadima Langtang, attracted sons and daughters of the clan from within and outside Nigeria. The event was marked by nostalgic displays of culture, tradition and unity, leaving friends, neighbours and well-wishers in awe.
Affirming cultural roots, unity
Former Accountant General of Plateau State, Mr. Andrew Yarling, emphasised the importance of cultural identity while addressing the gathering.
“We are meeting today in our traditional ruler’s house to reveal our intention. We believe with God on our side, it will come to pass. We have come here today to reaffirm our roots, and we have representatives from various historical groups that make us a people and a clan,”he stated.
He highlighted the significance of the Ritak and Kau groups that form the Gunnung clan and stressed the need for unity, guided by the wisdom of elders, to tackle issues affecting the people.
Similarly, Engr. Mark Lipdo, Program Coordinator of Stefanos Foundation, described the day as historic. He celebrated the Taroh nation for producing prominent sons and daughters who have contributed immensely to Nigeria’s development in both secular and spiritual sectors. Lipdo urged patience over the succession process following the recent loss of key traditional rulers, noting that the spiritual and traditional custodians of the land were still consulting.
Ponzhi Kumbwang (District Head of Lipchok), Elisha Kumdong Pusso, spoke in parables, urging patience and trust in the elders.
“Unless the meat is fully cooked, you cannot eat it,” he advised.
Preserving heritage, addressing challenges
The clan head and host, Galadima, Langtang Joseph Dashe Loyi, who is also the District Head of Zamco, expressed joy at the turnout. He explained that the gathering was aimed at strengthening unity, preserving cultural heritage and addressing pressing challenges facing the Gunnung family.
He recalled the loss of the late Madaki Langtang, Daniel Bongtur, and explained that the meeting also served as an opportunity for the family to condole with one another.
“After the loss of one of our own, a high chief, the Madaki Langtang, as a family, from Can and Ridak clan, we decided to sit as a family to condole ourselves over the huge loss,” he said.
The Galadima, however, used the occasion to appeal to the Plateau State Government to address chieftaincy challenges facing the Gunnung people. He argued that despite their size and population, the Gunnung family, unlike other clans such as Zini, Bwarat and Pilgany, had been left without a recognised chiefdom.
Calls for continuity, development
Coordinator of the Gunnung family, Mr. Ponsah Domdip, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the reunion, noting that it provided a platform to find common ground on issues affecting the clan.
He affirmed: “I am glad that the third reunion meeting of the Gunnung family, which is aimed at reuniting members from within and in the diaspora, is progressing. We the Gunnung family are legitimately the stool holders of the Ponzhi Taroh, but there are controversies, and we are agitating for its return.” Elders such as Chief Ezekiel Gambo and Mr. David Fabong urged unity as a foundation for strength and progress.
Meanwhile, Mr. Shalvel Thomas, representative of the Director of Social Services, Langtang North LGA, commended the organisers for their commitment to cultural preservation and disclosed that the Gunnung family is recognised by the local government as a registered family association.