Inhabitants of Foumban pose for a portrait near the city gates during the 548th edition of the Nguon festival of the Bamoun people in Foumban on December 8, 2024. Tourists and officials flocked to a remote region to attend a governance ritual held as part of the 548th “Ngouon”, a royal festivity that dates back to 1384 when the kingdom was founded. Its rite, which puts the monarch’s popularity to the test, had not been celebrated in six years but was recognised in December 2023 by UNESCO as intangible heritage of humanity. (Photo by Daniel Beloumou Olomo / AFP)
The Nguon Festival, an ancient tradition of the Bamoun people in Cameroon, was officially added to UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage on December 6, 2023. This recognition celebrates over 600 years of cultural history, governance rituals, traditional dances, and culinary arts central to the Bamoun community in the West Region of Cameroon.
The festival, held biennially, concluded its 2024 edition on December 8 in Foumban. It showcases the Bamoun’s vibrant culture through performances, rituals, and community gatherings, fostering the transmission of their heritage to younger generations. This new UNESCO status is expected to enhance the festival’s visibility and attract international tourism while strengthening cultural preservation efforts.
The Nguon Festival is primarily celebrated by the Bamoun people in the West Region of Cameroon, specifically in the city of Foumban, which is the cultural and political heart of the Bamoun Kingdom. This festival brings together the Bamoun community and their leader, the Sultan, in a grand celebration of their history, governance, and traditions​.
While its primary significance is for the Bamoun people, the festival has become internationally recognized, attracting visitors from other parts of Cameroon and beyond, particularly after its inclusion in UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
