By Bakah Derick
The 2022 edition of the Bamenda III Festival of Heritage Arts and Culture (FEHACU) has ended with the organizers expressing satisfaction following the participation of several artists, exhibitors, community members, visitors cultural and traditional groups amongst others.
Speaking during the closing event, the Fon of Nkwen HRM Fon Azehfor III and the Mayor of the Bamenda III Council expressed gratitude to all who spared their time for the two-day festival. This according to the authorities shows a mark of love for culture as well as commitment to preserve and promote such valuable heritage.
Mayor Fongu Cletus has appreciated the several partners and sponsors who agreed to accompany the council promising that next year will be bigger and better.
Some facts about FEHACU 2023
The event started with a carvival walk from Foncha Junction to the Nkwen palace led by the Fon of Nkwen, his colleague of Fingui and Mayor of Bamenda III Council.
The carnival walk lasted over 30mins with songs, dance and invocation of ancestral blessings on Nkwen land in particular and Bamenda III in general.
A population of over 500 persons is estimated to have taken part in the carnival walk
The opening ceremony attended by North West Governor, a representative of the Minister of Arts and Culture, MP for Bamenda and Bali, Mayors, partners and sponsors had over 18 Fons in attendance including the Paramount Fon of Nso.
All Speeches delivered at the opening pointed to the fact that cultural events like FEHACU can be a true source of peaceful co-existence.
Mayor Fongu Cletus Tanwe speaking at the opening ceremony accompanied by a sign language interpreter
FEHACU 2022 had three sign language interpreters to communicate with those with hearing disability.
A 36 page magazine named FEHACU INSIDE went into circulation.
In all, over 60 cultural, traditional and social groups performed at FEHACU 2022.
Over 50 exhibitors showcased several items during the festival ranging from bamboo works, embroidery, cane, weaving, recycling food, products and services, carving and more.
Following a preselection exercise, 12 contestants were retained for the Miss and Mr FEHACU 2022 contest. Asafor Stephen Watsa and Ngufor Maureen are winners of Mr and Miss FEHACU titles respectively.
Persons with disabilities took part in all festival activities.
Blue which is the mobile service of Cameroon Telecommunications company CAMTEL, was the headline sponsor. Other sponsors included Nourivit Technologies, Bafut Cooperative Credit Union and SABC. Partners like the North West Cooperative Association (NWCA), Farmers House Ltd, MTN, Nkwen Cooperative Credit Union, Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services (CBCHS) Nkwen District Hospital, San Paulo Pharmacy, Guinness SA, accompanied the organization.
The Fon of Nkwen HRM Fon Azehfor III, the Mayor of Bamenda III Fongu Cletus Tanwe and the Divisional Officer for Bamenda III Subdivision Austin Ayuni Sakah chaired the closing event. The closing event featured award of prices to exhibitors, and Miss and Mr FEHACU contestants.
FEHACU 2022 rose with the hope for another edition in 2023.