Cameroon Cultural Jamboree
This is a rare opportunity which offers a gamut of possibilities for visitors, especially researchers in cultural issues, to have not only a total insight about the rich cultural heritage of the Cameroon Grassfield, but a mix of culture, adventure, volunteer work and the fulfilment that at least he or she has contributed towards a positive change in the lives of the people. And this will go a long way to contribute in strengthening international understanding and world peace.
Duration: 14 days
Dates: Oct-May
Fitness Conditions: Reasonable fitness/normal health
pax |
Prices(Euros) |
| 1 | 4546 |
| 2 | 2780 |
| 3 | 2063 |
| 4 | 2045 |
| 5 | 2027 |
| 6 | 2000 |
| 7 | 2000 |
| 8 | 2000 |
The price covers: car hiring, fuel, driver, lodging, food and non-alcoholic beverages, guiding, entry/honorarium, airport tax, handling charge and miscellaneous. It excludes air ticket, gifts and alcoholic drinks.
ITINERARY
This itinerary is tentative depending on flight schedules. Visitors arrange their flight by themselves and our role limits on the delivery of ground services.
-1st day (8thDec) - Arrival at Douala and overnight in Foyer du Marins.
-2nd day (9thDec) - Douala – Bafoussam.
What to do-
Brief stops on the way to see interesting features such as the Ekom Nkam Waterfall, found some 200km from Douala. It is a picturesque site and famous for having acted as the ground for the acting of the thrilling Tarzan film by some famous film actors. A ritual sacrifice is performed by the local Chief meant to give blessings to the visitors.
Another brief stop is at a bustling roadside market to have a taste of the local food such as roasted plantains, cocoyams and fish, which go along with a cold bottle of local beer.
Overnight at Bafoussam in Golden Centre Hotel.
3rd day(10th Dec)-Bafoussam-Foumban
What to do- Participate at the very important opening ceremony of the NGUON FESTIVAL, which occurs once every two years l, characterized by the rare appearance in the public of the highly respected Sultan, accompanied by other traditional rulers from other parts of Cameroon. A lot of gun firing, traditional music and dancing take place. May have the opportunity to visit the rich museum. Overnight in Foumban and experience the thrilling night life, due to the presence of many people who have come from many parts of the country and from other parts of the world to attend the festival. This is one of the most important cultural festivals in Cameroon and the Central African sub-region.
4th day (11th Dec.) Visit other interesting parts of the locality before returning to the palace esplanade for the activities of the cultural festival. They include the small mystical house, believed to be about 300years old and contains all magical warfare tools used in protecting the community in times of war. And craft centres. Overnight in Foumban
5th day (12thDec.) Attend the colourful closing ceremony of the festival and return to Bafoussam for overnight
6th day(13thDec) Visit some important palaces such as Baham and Bafoussam and continue to Bamenda for overnight in Mondial Hotel.
7th day(14thDec) Visit a combined waterfall and cave at Guzang, some 45km from Bamenda. Contact producers of local beverage called palm wine and also visit people extracting oil palm using local methods.Return to Bamenda and continue to Awing village and overnight in an eco-resort at Awing Lake.
8th day(15thDec) Early in the morning do a village walk, during which you discover the local market, women carrying loads on their heads, blacksmith at work,coffee farms, people at their homes preparing to attend the ritual at the palace or at the lake.
This lake is believed to be the home of the ancestors of the Awing people and so is highly respected.That is why the ritual sacrifice is performed each year.During the sacrifice two outstanding items, namely an old bell and whistle found in an old bag, are used. These are said to have been handed over to one old man by the ancestors who met him on the way when they were migrating to the current site, which is the lake.They gave him these items and asked him to take them to the palace and inform the traditional ruler of that time about their whereabout and that this person should always be the leader of the chief priests on the day of the sacrifice each year, and should always ring the bell and blow the whistle when they approach the lake.
It is believed that failure to perform this sacrifice leads to a number of calamities in the village, such as infertility of most women,poor harvest, absence of peace within the village and between the village and neighbouring villages.
There is much music and dance after the sacrifice and barren women are anointed with camwood mixed with palm oil so that their fertility is restored .
Return to Bamenda and continue to Fundong, which is the start of the journey through part of the famous Bamenda Ring Road, and overnight in a hotel.
9th day(16thDec). Visit the palace of the traditional ruler of Kom, whose Kingdom is one of the largest in Cameroon.
In this palace undergo an initiation ritual which permits you to formally greet the ruler, and to penetrate the inner part of the palace, at one part of which is found a statue called AFO-AKOM. This is believed to possess a lot of mystical powers and on which the Kingdom relies for its protection against external enemies. It was stolen to a museum in one western country and brought back because it was believed to usually knock down other crafts in the same museum, because it was not feeling
comfortable in this foreign land.Its being brought back attracted a lot of diplomatic attention.
Proceed to Subum and overnight in tents after visiting some survivors of the Lake Nyos Gas disaster of 1986.It should be noted that the lake exploded in August 1986 and killed about 1700 persons and many animals.This was attributed to a very toxic gas that accumulated on the floor of the lake. The survivors were forced by this incident to migrate to other areas. Some have returned .
10th day(17thDec) Continue interacting with these survivors in the early part of the day. If there are any gifts such as medicines, clothing, money, you can offer them.
Later in the day visit the dreadful Lake Nyos and see the equipment installed in the lake to eliminate the gas.
Go to Wum for overnight in a modest motel.
11th day(18thDec)
Experience the local culture, including the Queen Mothers Dance, performed by the elderly wives of the chief. It is quite colourful and full of melodious music.
Have a taste of the local food and drink made out of maize.
Return to Bamenda, while halting on the way to see the Menchum Fall, into which flows the meandering River Menchum.Also see sprawling rice farms and other land use patterns. Overnight in Mondial Hotel.
12th and 13th day(19th and 20thDec)
Attend the Bafut Cultural Festival. It takes place in the plaza of the Bafut palace. This palace is famous for being the first residence and administrative base of the first colonial masters(Germans) when they arrived the Grassfields of Cameroon.
This festival is one of the most famous and most highly attended in Cameroon.It is marked by the presence of a multitude of traditional dances.
Some visitors are given honorary titles by the traditional ruler.
Return to Bamenda and have a feel of the town by going to craft making centres and shops for souvenirs and by Visiting the town in the night.
14th day(21stDec)
Bamenda to Douala and departure in the night.
Some visitors may be interested in continuing to tour other parts of Cameroon.
Each tour package is customizable to fit the client’s aspiration.