Pioneer Festival Celebrates SW Heritage, Peace After Years Of Crisis

Famed Obasinjom masquerade of the Bayangi displaying at cultural festival

By Hope Nda

For the first time, the cultures of the people of the Southwest Region came together under one festive umbrella, the Southwest Cultural Festival, which was held in Buea from December 13 to 14, 2024.

Organised by the Southwest Chiefs Conference, SWECC, an association of the region’s traditional rulers, the festival unleashed the Southwest’s cultural richness, which has been silenced for years by the Anglophone armed conflict.

The conflict, which is in its eighth year now, has devastated the region’s economic and social fabric, particularly causing a breakdown in traditional administration and customs.

But the festival brought the region back to life.

Holding under the theme, “Peace, Cultural Revival, Social Cohesion and Investment Promotion,” the event showcased traditional dances, music, gastronomy, exhibitions, fashion parades and investment opportunities.

From the region’s six Divisions — Fako, Kupe Muanenguba, Lebialem, Manyu, Meme and Ndian— dance groups, sacred masquerades and traditional artefacts wowed spectators at the festival.

Notable cultural dances that animated audiences included the Molimi of the Mbonge and Bakundu; the Ekpe and Obasinjom of the Bayangi; the Alaling of the Lebialem; the Ngone of the Bakossi; the Maley of the Bakweri and the Nganda of the Balondo.

Other groups that performed came from Mbakwa Supe, Bimbia, Bakassi and Wabane.

The President of SWECC, Chief Obenofunde Moses, told thousands who attended the cultural festival that the event was meant to celebrate heritage, and set the pace for peace and social cohesion in the Southwest.

“Let’s not forget that a couple of years ago, it was not possible for us to gather here for a festival. If we’re able to gather here today it is because some Cameroonians put their lives at stake to ensure the peace and unity of our country,” he said.

He added: “The festival… is a platform to celebrate the rich diversity and vibrant traditions that make up our region. It is an opportunity for us to showcase the talents and creativity of our people. And to foster appreciation of our hearts and cultural heritage. Today, we come together to share, learn, enjoy the myriad of cultural expressions that enrich our lives.”

To Southwesterners , the festival took them back to their roots, and helped them to rediscover the cultural treasures of the region.

“I’ve never witnessed this type of thing before. Maybe it has taken place before but this is the first time I’m getting involved in it and I must say I’ve enjoyed it very, very well,” said Ngole Messeh Mac, a lead dancer of the Ngone dance from Bangem, which performed at the festival.

“And what I’m taking home is that the Southwest man has a diverse culture. I’ve witnessed other tribes perform different types of dance,” Ngole added.

Ephanga Marie Efeti, a specialist in Fako traditional gastronomy, also saw the event as a rediscovery of Southwest culture.

“Honestly the festival has rekindled that sense of belonging in me, a Southwesterner. Because it’s not only Fako, all the six Divisions of the Southwest participated and I discovered so many dances that I didn’t know; traditional meals from other areas that I didn’t know. I’m going back home as a proud Southwesterner, knowing that we have so many things,” she said.

The event’s chief guest was the Minister of Secondary Education, Prof Nalova Lyonga, who sat in for Prime Minister Chief Dr Joseph Dion Ngute.

Also present was the Minister Delegate in Charge of Planning at the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Regional Development, Paul Tasong; Cameroon’s richest woman and CEO of Telcar Cocoa, Kate Kanyi Tometi Fotso; Southwest Governor Bernard Okalia Bilai; parliamentarians, academics, traditional rulers, municipal authorities and civil society leaders.

Notable traditional figures who attended the festival included Nfon Mukete Ekoko of the Bafaws; Chief Senator Tabe Tando; Fon Fontem Asabaton of Fontem; Chief Benjamin Mutanga Itoe of the Bakundus; Chief Robert Esuka Endeley of Buea, among dozens of others.

The Southwest Chiefs Conference President immensely thanked the Prime Minister, Joseph Dion Ngute, for his contributions to making the festival successful.

Chief Obenofunde Moses said SWECC intends to make the festival a yearly event to continue upholding the heritage of the Southwest Region.

He also paid homage to the late Paramount Ruler of Buea, Chief SML Endeley, who founded SWECC in 1990, and lauded the former Southwest Regional Delegate for Arts and Culture, Grace Ewang, for promoting the region’s cultural fabric Eyasu.

He also beseeched sons and daughters of the Southwest to support SWECC in building the Southwest Cultural Centre, which has been in their plan for several years.

 

Minister Nalova’s Rallying Call

Describing the maiden cultural festival as a historical milestone, Prof Nalova Lyonga showered praises on the Southwest Chiefs Conference for making it possible.

“It is my opportunity, on behalf of the Prime Minister to congratulate all the Chiefs and all their people, for coming here to bring the voice of the Southwest Region,” she said.

She said the festival was proof that the Southwest Chiefs Conference “has recovered its voice” which has been silenced for the past years by the Anglophone Crisis.

“What is a community without its Chiefs? You must always have your Chiefs. That is why all of us are so happy about this day. The voices of our Chiefs have been silenced for several years by conflictual wars that this country has never dreamed of before,” she added.

The cultural festival is the second notable event SWECC was organising to promote the Southwest culture after they launched the traditional fabric, Eyasu, in November last year.

Prof Nalova Lyonga expressed pride in the uniqueness of the Southwest Region through its diverse cultures displayed at the festival.

She urged women in the Region to strongly partner with the men to uphold the region’s heritage.