OKU CULTURAL FESTIVAL
Overview of the Ndong Festival
The Oku people annually organise many cultural festivities, but the key festivals happen during the month of December. These end of year festivities have as main objective to promote and preserve their cultural heritage within and without the kingdom. These celebrations usually brings all sons and daughters of Oku from far and wide to display, learn and support the very rich traditional
culture of the Oku’s as
well as to raise funds for the development. Activities carried out within this period include traditional and sacred rites, dances and
other significant cultural displays. It is an opportunity to bring all
community stakeholders together as the culture is the only factor that unites all of them. This is an opportunity to pass on the cultural heritage to the next generation. This rich culture also attracts a lot of tourists
from the national and international scene. This year 2016 promises to
be quite distinctive, following plans to stage the ”Ndong Dance”, a very
impressive and popular traditional dance rhythm.
Other activities during the festival include
A. Manifestations and Conferences
Round table conferences by
prosperous Oku women as a motivation for young girls, singing and dancing competition involving both traditional and modern dances/songs, traditional games, display from Jujus and other secret societies, sporting activities such as the Kilum Mountain Race.
B. Ecotourism
Visit to various touristic sites such as Mt Oku, lake Oku, Lumetu Shrine, Caves, waterfalls etc.
C. Exhibition
Traditional Medicine and Healing exhibition, Presentation and exhibition of the Oku White Honey and the Oku Coffee, exhibition on the core values of the Oku man and woman, exhibition of Oku traditional and endangered dishes/meals, exhibition
of crafts around the ceremonial ground by craftsmen and women,
exhibition at the Soul of Oku Museum in the Oku Fon’s Palace, traditional fashion parade