Bamoun Sultan receives Nguon Intangible Cultural Heritage inscription certificate.

His Majesty Mouhammad-Nabil, other officials brandishing certificate

The Sultan of the Bamoun dynasty, His Majesty Mouhammad-Nabil Mforifoum Mbombo Njoya, has received the inscription certificate of Nguon on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.



The historic ceremony to hand the inscription took place December 6 in Foumban. This was during the launch of the 548th edition of the Nguon Festival, centuries-old tradition of governance rituals and cultural expressions integral to the Bamoun community in the West Region. 

It was officiated by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Arts and Culture, Jacques Blaise Nkene, who represented the Minister of Arts and Culture, Bidoung Mkpatt.

The the ceremony marked one year after UNESCO’s recognition of Nguon at its 18th Intergovernmental Committee meeting, which held in December 6, 2023 in Kasane, Botswana.

The 548th edition of the Nguon Festival, it should be said, coincided with the first anniversary of the UNESCO inscription. According to the members of the organising committee, this added an extra layer of significance to the celebrations.

The Sultan, while addressing the gathering, expressed pride in the recognition and called for collective efforts to safeguard the practice. 

“Nguon is more than a tradition; it is the soul of the Bamoun people. Its recognition by UNESCO is a testament to its universal value, and it is our responsibility to pass it on to future generations,” he stated.

He went on to note that “Nguon belongs to humanity, but it will always be the heartbeat of the Bamoun kingdom”.

Nguon, it should be said, is a ritual practice dating back over six centuries, and is seen as a cornerstone of the Bamoun identity. The traditional festival centres on a unique governance ritual that fosters accountability, dialogue, and harmony within the community.

Organised every two years, in December, Nguon rituals unfold over three days, bringing together community members, ritual chiefs, and the Mfon, monarch. 

It begins with ritual chiefs gathering the community's opinions on the state of the kingdom. This year’s festival featured traditional rituals, music, dance, and a carnival, attracting participants and spectators from across Cameroon and beyond. 

 

Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in brief

The Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity UNESCO is designed to protect traditions that have been passed from one generation to another. 

The intangible cultural heritage includes oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals, festive events, knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe or the knowledge and skills to produce traditional crafts.

The purpose of the list is to ensure greater visibility of intangible cultural heritage in general and the nominated element in particular. 

 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3318 of Thursday December 12, 2024

about author About author : Morine Tanyi

See my other articles

Related Articles

Comments

    No comment availaible !

Leave a comment