*Waktari (Zaar Traditional Rite of Seed Dedication)*

✍🏾 *Madalla Kadiri Dinki, Zaar Activist*

*Introduction*

The Festival of Seed Dedication, also known as "Ember Days" or "Compostela", is a traditional festival celebrated in some African countries, including Nigeria. It is usually held in April or May which marks the beginning of the planting season.

During the festival, farmers offer sacrifices and prayers to the gods, seeking blessings and protection for their crops. They also come together to share knowledge, exchange seeds, and strengthen social bonds.

The festival is an important cultural event that promotes agricultural productivity, community harmony, and spiritual connection with nature. It's a wonderful celebration of the cycle of life and the importance of seeds in sustaining our lives.

*Zaar Traditional Rite  of Seed Dedication*.

The Zaar people are not left behind in the celebration of festival of seed dedication, the festival is part of Zaar cultural heritage inherited from there Ancestors. The name of the festival in Zaar language is called Waktari  meaning  Traditional Festival of Seed Dedication and is celebrated every year in April.

Zaar  are mostly found  in  Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro Local Government of Bauchi State, North East Nigeria that still observed festival of seed dedication.

The festival is   one of  the oldest surviving cultural heritage of  Zaar were  

traditional rite of  seed dedication was being carried out.

According to tradition performing the traditional rites  of  seed dedication festival  mark the end of harvest and rest after harvest, while ushering in another  new season of planting.

During the  traditional rites  of  seed dedication cultural festival (Waktari) our ancestors perform some certain rituals and dedication of seeds to be planted in  the next season to idols with the believe of receiving blessings from the God of there Ancestors.

*Paradigm shift in the Celebration of Zaar Traditional Rite of Seed Dedication*

Due to the coming of Christianity there is  a significant changes in how traditional rite of seed dedication festival (Waktari) festival is celebrated in Zaarland. Each village use to perform there own rite of seed dedication, the reason why  it was being done at the village level it is because there was no central administration to unite the Zaar, each village was independent from each other, the administration of Zaar community was not beyond village level, but today  the rite of seed dedication festival have Been centralized. Nowadays the traditional rite of seed dedication festival (Waktari) is done in the heart of Tafawa Balewa LGA, Bauchi State the ancestry headquarters of  Zaar people.

The Zaar people,  friends of Zaar and tourists worldwide gather each year April  at  the heart of Tafawa Balewa, the ancestry headquarters Zaar  to participate in  the traditional rite  of seed dedication festival.

Nowadays, certain rituals and idolatry have been done away with in the  traditional rites  of  seed dedication cultural festival (Waktari), seeds  for the next planting season are dedicated to Almighty  God, prayers offered  seeking blessings and protection for their crops and paper presented from a resource person. Most of the papers that are presented is not relevant to the cultural festivals.

*Recommendation*.

I recommend that  the paper to be presented henceforth during another traditional rite of seed Dedication  festival  (Waktari), Lepm Zaar should be on agriculture,  an agricultural specialist should be invited to present a paper, because both Lepm  Zaar and Waktari festival are spiritual, agricultural affairs, I think impacting knowledge on  agriculture to youths is a way of transferring our cultural heritage to the future generations of which is one of the main significant of both Lepm  Zaar and Waktari festival festival. 

Let both Lepm  Zaar and Waktari festival period  serves as a  period, avenue, forum  for impacting, sharing  knowledge on modern farming through organizing training, seminars on modern farming from various experts in agriculture. 

Modern farming, also known as contemporary or cutting-edge farming, refers to the use of innovative techniques, tools, and technologies to improve agricultural productivity, efficiency, and sustainability. Some modern ways of farming include:

1. *Precision Farming*:

 Using sensors, GPS, and data analysis to optimize crop management, reduce waste, and enhance yields.

2. *Vertical Farming*:

 Growing crops in vertically stacked layers, often in indoor environments, to increase space efficiency and reduce land use.

3. *Hydroponics*:

 Nurturing plants in nutrient-rich water rather than soil, allowing for precise control over nutrient intake and water usage.

4. *Drones and Aerial Imaging*: 

Utilizing drones and satellite imaging to monitor crop health, detect pests and diseases, and apply targeted treatments.

5. *Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)*:

 Leveraging AI and ML algorithms to analyze data, predict weather patterns, and make informed decisions.

6. *Internet of Things (IoT) Sensors*:

 Deploying sensors to monitor soil moisture, temperature, and other factors, enabling data-driven decision-making.

7. *Robotics and Automation*:.

 Implementing robots and automated systems to streamline tasks like planting, harvesting, and crop monitoring.

8. *Organic and Regenerative Farming*:

 Focusing on sustainable practices that promote soil health, biodiversity, and ecosystem services.

9. *Greenhouses and Indoor Farming*:

 Cultivating crops in controlled environments to regulate temperature, humidity, and light.

10. *Big Data Analytics*:

 Analyzing large datasets to identify trends, optimize operations, and improve farm management.

*Conclusion*.

These modern farming methods will  address challenges like food security, climate change, and environmental degradation while promoting efficient and sustainable agricultural practices Zaarland, it will also reduce poverty from our youths,  if the  youths are engaged the society will be at peace.