Come November 26, 2024, Kumbo will reverberate with the rhythm of drums, songs, and dance of Nso sons and daughters from across the globe. After a long eight-year hiatus, the much-anticipated Ngonnso Cultural Festival is making a grand return. For five days, the people of Nso will gather at the Fon’s Palace in Kimbo to honour the legendary founder and mother of the Nso Kingdom, Ngonnso, under the theme "The Culture of Peace and Reconciliation."
The excitement is palpable as this marks the first time the festival has been celebrated since 2016. That edition was graced by the presence of then Culture Minister Narcisse Mouelle Kombi and saw the dynamic leadership of the Nso Cultural and Development Association (NSODA) under Mformi Ndzerem Stephen Njodzeka. Since then, many have eagerly awaited the return of what is one of the biggest cultural festivals in the North West Region of Cameroon.
The festival, organised under the patronage of His Majesty, the Paramount Fon of Nso, promises to be a celebration like no other. Thousands are expected to converge on Kumbo, not only to pay homage to Ngonnso but also to immerse themselves in the rich cultural heritage of the Nso people. The streets will be filled with traditional dancers, masquerades and visitors, all eager to witness the splendour of Nso heritage.
About the Ngonnso Cultural Festival
Ngonnso, the matriarch who gave life to the Nso dynasty, has long been revered for her resilience and vision. In 1394, she embarked on a journey from Rifem bow known as Bakim in the Adamawa Region alongside her two brothers, Nchare and Mfoomban. While her siblings branched off to establish the Bamoun and Mbam dynasties, respectively, Ngonnso founded the Nso Kingdom, which remains one of the most culturally rich and historically significant kingdoms in Cameroon. It is in her honour that the Ngonnso Cultural Festival was named, celebrating not only her legacy but also the enduring spirit of the Nso people.
The 2024 festival theme, "The Culture of Peace and Reconciliation," could not be more timely. Nso, like many other communities in the North West Region of Cameroon, has seen its fair share of challenges in recent years. This festival is a source of hope, a call to unity, and an invitation to come together to heal wounds and celebrate the culture that has sustained the people of Nso for centuries.
From Tuesday, November 26 to Saturday, November 30, the Fon’s Palace will be transformed into a hub of activity. Expect to see colourful traditional regalia, hear the echo of ancestral chants, and feel the ground tremble under the feet of skilled dancers and masquerades. This will be a time for the young and the old to reconnect with their roots, for families to come together, and for the entire Nso community to showcase its proud heritage to the world.
This is not just a festival; it’s a homecoming, a cultural revival, and an opportunity for reconciliation. The Nso people have always been known for their strong cultural identity, and this festival will be a major proof to their resilience and pride.
Whether you are a Nso son or daughter, or simply a lover of culture, the Ngonnso Cultural Festival 2024 is an event not to be missed. It’s time to honour the past, celebrate the present, and pave the way for a peaceful and united future.
By Bakah Derick
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