Governor Awa Fonka chaired the event, calling for culture to be promoted alongside solidarity and development.
Thousands of people who attended the closing of the 13th Medumba Festival in Bangangté, Nde Division of the West Region on July 23, 2016, were thrilled with charming melodies from traditional dances, especially the multi-cultural group of the Université des Montagnes, musician Chally Yankeu and others.
The Festival Village, which for one week became a melting-pot of sounds and entertainment, helped to give the event the fanfare it deserved. Six podiums were erected to accommodate Jazz bands and other music groups and musicians who took turns to thrill the public with various international musical genres. Many organisations set up stands for business and public awareness. The most outstanding were the 22 stands by traditional Chiefs from Nde Division and others from West Region that showcased their precious antiquities as a way of preserving the rich Bamileke traditions and cultural heritage.
The artefacts on display by the custodians of tradition indicated their interest in cultural revival and promotion. Presiding at the closing ceremony, the Governor of the West Region, Awa Fonka Augustine, said culture must be promoted alongside solidarity and development. He noted that only aspects that are useful in character-building, national integration, social interaction and generally accepted life style, should be practised.
The Director General of Medumba Festival, Martin Yankwa, said it was started 13 years ago by Senate President Marcel Niat Njifenji. He added that the event has since become a strong liaison for Nde development partners, taking centre stage as basis for future national integration. Trophies were handed to cultural and sports competition winners.
