545th edition of Bamoun festival launched

Pending the official opening on Friday , the cultural rendez-vous of the Bamoun people was launched Monday.

The biennial meeting between the people and their King, the Nguon, which opened on Monday, 3 November in Foumban, goes beyond a celebration. Indeed, "the traditional and cultural day of the Bamum people are used to assess without complacency the Kingdom, while sending their grievances to the monarch.

"It is a ritual for judgment," said Oumarou Nji Nchare, Director of Cultural Affairs at the Palace of the Bamoun Kings. During this ritual taking place November 8, the Fonanguon (a kind of spokesperson for the people), who have traveled the Kingdom and obtained public opinion will challenge the King on the economic front.

The 'Nguon' is also an agricultural celebration and to illustrate this aspect, an agricultural fair is organized to encourage farmers to work hard. The tourist and cultural side is not neglected as hundreds of guests come from around the world.

So the 'Nguon' is an occasion to organize exhibition fairs, tourist trips, dance festivals, of traditional sports with a bonus, the ascent of Mount Mbappit at Foumbot. Every year, important innovations are recorded. Thus, from 2012, a village of the Nguon was created. This houses the fair and various artistic performances.

The 545th edition is celebrated under the theme "what is the legacy for our future generations?" The official opening will take place November 7 by the Minister of Arts and Culture.