Dambai is the capital of the Oti Region. It is located on the eastern side of the Oti River a tributary of the Volta Lake. It was declared the capital of the region which was carved out of the existing Volta Region. It was given the Legislative Instruments as capital by President Nana Akuffo Addo on 15th of February 2019 after it was chosen to be the capital. It is located in the heart of the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority area.
Flora and fauna
Because of its location on the Volta Lake, which provides fertile land and ample water, the Dambai area has a variety of animals and plants. The outskirts of Dambai contain wild animals such as lions and elephants, duikers, cobs, several marine and land snakes such as vipers, and pythons, and buffalo. Fish in the lake include tilapia, cat fish, Nile perch, electric fish, puff fish. There are several types of oysters and clams as well as several types of crocodiles including the Nile crocodile.
Economy
The town has a vibrant market that falls on Monday and Tuesday to which market people across the Krachi East District and Togo come to. The occupation of the inhabitants is farming and fishing on the River Oti with few inhabitants being employed by offices of the district assembly and teaching.
Dambai has several tourist attractions. The famous of which include the ferry that is used to cross the river. There are also ancestral shrines including the Jabuni, Denteh and Tigare shrines.
People and culture
Several tribes can be found in Dambai. The Nchumuru people are divided into 7 main clans: Kachenki, Susuro, Munkuri, Agyimbra, Abraman, Boyayi, and Wankanyaw. Other tribes are the Zabarama and Hausa who engage in trading, the Kotokoli, the Ewe and Ada who fish on the Oti River, the Konkomba and the Basari who are farmers, and several Fulani can also be found raising cattle. The indigenous people observe the Kipor Day every 6 days. It is equivalent to the Jewish Sabbath: on this day no one is expected to go to farm or engage in activities deemed to be farming, and this is strictly enforced. Young people are placed on guard to arrest those who break this rule, who are made to pay fines of sheep or goat and liquor that are sacrificed to the ancestors. There is also the Fofie day, which falls on Friday. There are a lot of sacrifices to ancestors. The Dambai Nchumurus have one of the most elaborate dance forms. These are normally for funerals. Sukudai is a funeral dance for elders, particularly clan heads and famous hunters. There is also Mbofou for hunters when they kill big game. Nchuso, meaning water dance, is for the ordinary Nchumuru man or woman when they die. Atokoiatokoi is a dance for elderly women or headwomen of a clan.
