BY SIMON NDIVE KALLA
The City of Limbe was held spellbound with cultural activities for three-days such as Maley, cha cha, traditional performances, gastronomy, canoe race, traditional folklore, fashion parade, traditional dance, musical concert, dying etiquette among others from Thursday January 26 to Saturday January 28, 2023 at the Community field.
Cross section of Maley dance group
The cultural jamboree dubbed ‘Limbe LROCULF”, WANA WA PHOP was an initiative of the Limbe Royal Chiefdom meant to rekindle the flames of Cultural Heritage as pronounced by the First Class Chief of Limbe in 2022 during his coronation.
Speaking at the end of ceremony, the Paramount Chief of Limbe, HM John Elufa Manga Williams insisted that, he shall hold the flames of the cultural heritage of Limbe to make Limbe smile again.
“The only true identity of a person or group of persons is the culture. We cannot pretend or claim to be who we are without valorising what identifies us” HM John Elufa emphasised.
He added that, one can not boast of being culturally conscious without a strong attachment to his land. “One aspect that our various cultures are completely attached to are our land. You cannot boast of being culturally conscious without a strong attachment to our land. The land of our forefathers ”,
Cha Cha dance group displaying
“The land which is the medium of communication with our ancestors. The land which our placentas are buried. The land which receives our canopies otherwise called our physical bodies when we depart from this earth”,
“The land on which our forefathers walked on. The land that gives us economic and social sustenance, the Land which is our gift from God”,
“The Land, The Land, The Land. Dear friends, Limbe has been wrongly described as a "No Man's Land" CAPITAL ERROR. Today I repeat in the presence of all and sundry that Limbe belongs to a people. Limbe is owned by a group of people” HM John Elufa insisted.
He however confirmed that,Limbe Chiefs received the coming of the deep seaport with much joy that is why they are doing all it takes to preserve and protect their culture.
HM John Elufa went further thanked dignitaries from other regions, notables, main sponsor Orange Cameroon for their material support for this first edition of Limbe Royal chiefdom cultural festival. He expressed satisfaction that, the first edition witnessed a huge success and that next year he and his team shall redouble their efforts for remarkable one.
HM John Elufa explained that, the maiden edition implemented a 3-day festival in Limbe and was opened to all ethnic groups in Limbe in order to bring about cultural awareness in Language, dressing, dancing, music, to provide a forum for traditional groups, young artists and musicians from multi-ethnic communities to create positive impact on cultural diversity and equally to promote, build fraternity and offer a possibility for intercultural exchange between different communities.
Vision bearer of Limbe Royal Cultural Festival, LROCULF, HM John Elufa Manga Williams
Meantime, the representative of the Parliamentarian for Fako East Constituency cum the Secretary General of the Paramount Chiefdom, Peter Martin affirmed that, Limbe Royal Cultural Festival plays a great role in enhancing national cohesion and integration, which is highly emphasised in the country.
He added that, it provides an opportunity to rediscover the roots, and to "remind ourselves of our tangible and intangible cultural heritage that has been in existence for generations",
“Though cultural integration, we learn how to be better people in the society and how to live together as brothers and sisters. Every individual has a distinguished attitude, behaviours as well as traits. Under no circumstance, should a person abandon his her culture” Peter Martin insisted.
He explained that Limbe Royal Chiefdom Cultural Festival is not the affair of the Paramount Chief alone which is evident in the numerous financial, technical and material contributions received from individuals, organisations, villages, quarters, businesses, diaspora and amongst others.
It should be noted that, the event started on Wednesday January 25, with sports walk from Fako SDO’s Office to Half Mile, Church street, New Town, Manga Williams Avenue and back to the Paramount Chief’s palace.
Earlier on Thursday January 26, Rev. Teke John of Mizpah Baptist Church called on the population not to engaged into cultural practices that are hostile to the gospel of Jesus Christ. He drew his inspiration from Roman 1:28-35. The event equally saw the launching of the Mokpwe diary by the Bakweri Language and Literacy Association Balia.
The event was attended by a cross section of dignitaries like the Third Assistant Senior Divisional Officer for Fako, 3ASDO, Joel Biyele, Memeber of Parliament for Fako East Contingency Hon. Findi Standley, Mayor for Limbe III Subdivision Nseke Dibotti, the Paramount Chief of Buea HM Robert Endeley V among other Chiefs.
Enter Price award
Football competition
Male : 1st prize Njoku FC 2nd Prize Njilla FC 3rd Prize Njonji FC Female 1st Prize Njoku FC 2nd Prize Njonji FC
Tug of War: 1st prize Mokeba Farms 2nd prize Down Beach
Wrestling :1st prize Wovia 2nd Prize Mokunda
Canoe Race: 1st prize Bimbia, 2nd Prize Botaland 3rd prize Ndame lsland, 4th Prize Wovia.
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