Ngondo

The Ngondo is an annual water-centered festival held by the Sawa (coastal peoples) in Douala, Cameroon. The highlight of the festival is a ceremony of the jengu cult. The ceremony is held at a beach on Wouri Bay, during which a devotee enters the water to visit the underwater kingdom of the miengu (plural for jengu). The miengu are believed to be similar to mermaids, and will grant good luck to their worshippers. According to tradition, the devotee can remain underwater for hours, and emerge with his clothing appearing completely dry. Children are not allowed to attend the ceremony. Ngondo was banned by the government of Cameroon in 1981, but reinstated in 1991. The ceremony is held during the first two weeks of December every year.[1]

Ngondo messenger on Wouri River
Spectators on a crowded boat
Youths in canoes in the Wouri River during Ngondo Festival
Traditional drums and drummers during Ngondo festival
Traditional rituals during Ngondo festival
Traditional wrestling Ngondo festival
A wise
Ngondo Authority
  • Women with blue Kaba
  • Woman with green Kaba
  • Women with black Kaba
  • Women with striped Kaba
  • Festival evening
  • Ritual
  • Ngondo Traditional wrestling
  • Assiko Dancers
  • swimming competition
  • Ritual pirogue
  • Abele singers
  • Ngondo place
  • Tupuri community at Ngondo
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References
  1. Austen, Ralph A. (1992). "Tradition, Invention and History : The Case of the Ngondo (Cameroon)". Cahiers d'Études Africaines. 32 (126): 285–309. JSTOR 4392382.


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