South West: Bakossis Showcase Rich Cultural Heritage

Bangem, headquarter of Kupe Muanenguba Division in the South West Region vibrated to the rhythm of traditional dances and music from the Bakossi land as the people gathered at the Paul Biya stadium for the first edition of the Bakossi Cultural Festival dubbed BACFES. For three days (16-18 December), the cultural festival placed under the patronage of the Minister, Deputy Secretary General at the Presidency, Paul Elung Che, held on the theme, “Preserving and Promoting the Bakossi Culture for Sustainable Peace and Development.”

Sponsored by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) within the framework of the social cohesion component of the Presidential Plan for the Reconstruction of the North West and South West Regions, the Mayor of Bangem Council, Nhon Christopher Ekungwe Kang said the festival was selected among several other development projects submitted to UNDP. The cultural jamboree, the Mayor noted, which was the first of its kind in the Division, was not only to revive the fast-eroding cultural and traditional practices of the Bakossi people but also to promote and consolidate peace and serenity Bangem is enjoying during this turbulent period following the protracted socio-political crisis in the North West and South West Regions.

This explains why a workshop on peace building and conflict resolution, carnival and sports walk along the streets of Bangem were included in the programme in order to inculcate the culture of peace to the Bakossi people especially the youth.  

The Bak...