Cameroon Celebrates First Anniversary of Ngondo Festival as UNESCO Heritage
PRIVADÆDIA Intelligence
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In December 2025, the Sawa community in Douala, Cameroon, celebrated the first anniversary of the Ngondo Festival's inscription on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Thousands of people gathered along the banks of the Wouri River to witness the iconic river ritual. A central part of the ceremony involves a devotee plunging into the river from a canoe, carrying a sacred vase filled with the community's wishes. It is believed that the devotee meets 'mermaids' in the water before returning with a spiritual message for the Sawa people and the nation. Originally serving as a customary court for the Sawa people, the Ngondo has evolved into a cosmopolitan festival that promotes cultural diversity, social peace, and the urban identity of Douala.
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