At ZIBA 2025 Festival: Musgums makes strong case for UNESCO World Heritage recognition.

The three-day event, organised at the Lamido Yaya Dairou Stadium in Maroua, recently, showcased the rich cultural heritage of the Musgum people through diverse displays, including traditional dances, wrestling, and a Miss Musgum contest.

The festival, which brought together participants from Cameroon, Chad, Nigeria, and other parts of the world, was a resounding success. 

The Secretary General at the Far North Governor’s Office, Evariste Atangana Zoa, chaired the event, which was placed under the high patronage of the Head of State, President Paul Biya.

The Musgum houses, made from clay and featuring unique architecture, were a major highlight of the festival. The structures, which are heat-proof and have been passed down through generations, left a lasting impression on attendees. 

The houses, which are built using traditional techniques, are not only aesthetically pleasing but also environmentally friendly. Those who took part in the festival were pleased with the cultural displays they witnessed.

 “It feels good seeing friends and family from far and wide come together to celebrate our cultural heritage. I could feel our roots at their finest. We were all enthralled,” Mairamou Zachariah, one of the festival attendees said.

The President of Ziba di Musgum, Hamad Kalkaba Malboum, expressed his delight at the success of the festival, noting that at least 50 delegations from Cameroon, Nigeria, and Chad were in attendance. 

“The festival was very successful in terms of participation and the quality of presentations made. We are grateful for the support of the government and our partners,”

The festival also featured a range of traditional dances, including the Dede, Tchawal, and Goumba, as well as a thrilling wrestling competition. The Miss Musgum contest, won by Alice Nguiba Yankee, was another major attraction. 

The contest, which aims to promote Musgum culture and traditions, featured beautiful outfits and impressive performances from the contestants.

The festival was also attended by high-profile guests, including the Secretary General at the Ministry of Arts and Culture, Blaise Jacques Nkene, and the Arab Chao community led by Honourable Kamsouloum Abba Kabir.

The Musgum community remains hopeful that their unique cultural heritage, including their mud houses, will be recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. 

The recognition they believe would not only promote Musgum culture but also provide a boost to the local economy. The next edition of the festival it was announced will take place in 2027 in Chad.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3378 of Friday February 28, 2025