Visionary Reports

The Besseke chiefdom in northern Bonabéri was transformed into a vibrant tapestry of Cameroonian heritage this past Sunday, March 22, 2026. The 5th edition of the Hausa Festival, coinciding with the end of Ramadan, served as a powerful master class in social cohesion, bringing together traditional rulers from across the nation to champion the spirit of “Living Together.”The esplanade of the Besseke chiefdom resonated with the arrival of nearly twenty traditional rulers. Among the most distinguished guests was His Majesty Mathurin Mouoyebe Zossié, the Paramount King of Bagam (Bamboutos), who traveled hundreds of kilometers to support his peer, His Majesty El Hadj Camille Tanko, the 3rd Degree Chief of Besseke-Bonabéri.The event was marked by a poignant symbolic gesture: the presentation of a leadership staff by the Bagam community to Chief Tanko a profound emblem of inter-ethnic friendship and shared power. “Culture is universal,” declared His Majesty Zossié. “In the context of living together, our responsibility is to strengthen these bonds. We are here to discover and experience the joy that this multifaceted culture bestows upon us.”The festival program was a rhythmic journey through Cameroon’s diverse identity. The audience was treated to a spectacular array of performances and rituals:High-energy wrestling matches and the thrilling Fantasia(horse racing) took center stage. The “Gourna” and Pkalum dances, alongside the rhythmic movements of Hausa women, captivated the vocal crowd.The “Wassayanka” A daring traditional knife game that demonstrated skill and ancestral bravery.In a true display of openness, an unexpected Bamiléké dance performance was integrated into the festivities, illustrating that the Besseke chiefdom is a space for all Cameroonians.

However,beyond the festivities, the event served as a platform for institutional growth. Three new notables were formally installed into the traditional Muslim chieftaincy of Besseke, ensuring the continuity of customary governance.The highlight of the afternoon was the presentation of the Pan-African Award for Traditional Leadership to His Majesty Camille Tanko. Awarded by the African Organization for the Promotion of Media (OAPM), the prize recognizes Tanko’s tireless fight to eradicate social inequalities and promote peace.”The legacy of the Head of State is living together,” Chief Tanko emphasized. “Managing to bring all these chiefs together from the Moungo, the West, and the Southwest is proof that we have made significant progress. We are now working to support each other both physically and financially.”Meanwhile,as the echoes of the drums faded, the message of the 5th Hausa Festival remained clear: tradition is not a relic of the past, but a functional tool for social stability. By blending the spiritual conclusion of Ramadan with a multi-ethnic cultural showcase, the Besseke chiefdom has set a new standard for how community leaders can bridge divides in modern Cameroon.

By Henry Wana