Home | NGONDO 2026 — Douala, Cameroon

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NGONDO 2026 Caravan: a memorable stop in Wouri Bwélé Canton — June 28, 2026 NGONDO welcomes H.M. Camille Moute à Bidias, Chief of Nkokoé Canton, Mbam 2026 Theme: "Anticipation and Vigilance" — Apotheosis on December 6th on the Wouri NGONDO-FNE Partnership signed at the Sawa Cultural Palace — Sawa jobs and entrepreneurship NGONDO 2026 Caravan: a memorable stop in Wouri Bwélé Canton — June 28, 2026 NGONDO welcomes H.M. Camille Moute à Bidias, Chief of Nkokoé Canton, Mbam 2026 Theme: "Anticipation and Vigilance" — Apotheosis on December 6th on the Wouri NGONDO-FNE Partnership signed at the Sawa Cultural Palace — Sawa jobs and entrepreneurship

H.M. Mbodi Épée Gaston, President of NGONDO 2026

A Word from the President

Anticipation and Vigilance

Sawa brothers and sisters, NGONDO 2026 invites us to uphold the values that have shaped our identity for centuries. This edition's theme — Anticipation and Vigilance — is not a slogan: it is a call to collective action.

Building a collective awareness of today's challenges, preserving and passing on the Sawa cultural heritage to the rising generations, strengthening community unity: these are the commitments we make together.

May the Wouri River continue to carry our messages of hope and unity. Jajongwanele o Kotome.

H.M. Mbodi Épée Gaston

Executive President of NGONDO 2026 · Superior Chief of Bassa Canton

Official Calendar

NGONDO 2026 Programme

2026 Theme: Anticipation and Vigilance.
From July to December — cantonal caravans, evening gatherings, finals and the grand apotheosis on the banks of the Wouri on December 6th.

Jul. – Nov.2026

Cultural Caravans in the 13 Cantons

Travelling fairs across the Sawa cantons. Culinary arts (Ndolé), Ngos & Bolobo heritage music, crafts. Wrestling eliminations and Miss NGONDO preliminary rounds. — Already underway!

Free Entry13 CantonsUnderway

Dec. 4–5Evenings

Grand Cultural Evenings & Finals

Finals of the traditional Sawa wrestling competition. Election of Miss NGONDO 2026 — beauty, eloquence and mastery of Sawa culture. Grand evenings with Mangando and ceremonies at the Sawa Cultural Palace.

Sawa WrestlingMiss NGONDOMangando

Dec. 6APOTHEOSIS

⚡ Apotheosis on the Banks of the Wouri

Sacred ritual — an initiated diver retrieves the ancestors' vessel from the Wouri. Messages read in the Duala language. Grand pirogue race. Assembly of the Superior Chiefs. Broadcast on giant screens.

APOTHEOSISWater RitualPiroguesFree Entry

Full 2026 Programme Access & Tickets

Mystical Dimension

The Major Rituals of the Ngondo

Cult of the Water Oracles

An initiated diver retrieves the sacred vessel from the Wouri — the ancestors' messages, read in the Duala language during the apotheosis.

Central Ritual

The Sacred House Assembly

A gathering of the Superior Chiefs of all Sawa cantons at the Sawa Cultural Palace to invoke peace.

Sawa Chiefs

The Purification Bath

A ritual using sacred bark to purify athletes, dignitaries and paddlers before the events.

Protection

Learn more about the rituals

Peoples of the Coast

The 13 Participating Cantons

View the 13 cantons

Bassa du Wouri Canton

H.M. Mbodi Épée Gaston

Superior Chief · President of NGONDO 2026

First settlers of the Wouri riverbanks alongside the Bakoko. The largest of the Wouri cantons — 23 villages, 75% of the department.

🏛️ Presidency 2026 Discover the canton →

Bèlè Bèlè Canton

H.M. Paul Milord Mbappe Bwanga

Superior Chief of Bèlè Bèlè Canton

Founded by Bèlè ba Doo, who crossed the Wouri. Historic bearer of the KIEL'A NGONDO vision.

🔱 Superior Chief Discover the canton →

Deïdo Canton

H.M. Ekwalla Essaka Frédéric James

Superior Chief of Deïdo Canton

Canton of the ancestor Ebele, who set off in search of salt. Five lineages: Bonajinge, Bonateki, Bonatene, Bonamoudourou, Bonantone.

🌊 People of the Water Discover the canton →

Bonambela (Akwa) Canton

H.M. Dr Louis Din Dika Akwa

King Akwa · Superior Chief

Kingdom of the legendary King Dika Mpondo. 20 villages under the emblem of the Eagle. Mbela Mbengue and Mbela Jedu.

🦅 The Royal Eagle Discover the canton →

… and 9 more cantons, each with its own history, Superior Chief, and traditions.

Discover the 13 cantons & their chiefs

Traditional Governance

The NGONDO 2026 Executive Bureau

Appointed for a two-year term at the General Assembly of 7 March 2026 at the Sawa Palace of Culture, the Ngondo's executive bureau is drawn from the assembly of Superior Chiefs of the 13 Sawa cantons — safeguarding ritual continuity and the organisation of each edition.

H.M. Mbodi Épée Gaston

Executive President of NGONDO 2026

Superior Chief of Bassa du Wouri Canton. Leads the institution for the 2026 edition, held under the theme "Anticipation and Vigilance".

👑 Presidency

H.M. Nabil Songue Madiba

1st Vice-President of NGONDO

Superior Chief of Bakoko Wouri Canton. Member of the executive bureau appointed on 7 March 2026.

🔱 1st Vice-Presidency

H.M. Essawe Njocke Maurice

2nd Vice-President of NGONDO

Superior Chief of Bakoko-Moungo Canton. Member of the executive bureau appointed on 7 March 2026.

🔱 2nd Vice-Presidency

Gobina Priso Charles

Advisor

Member of the NGONDO executive bureau, appointed at the General Assembly of 7 March 2026.

🤝 Advisor

Ngando Motassi Jean Pierre

Deputy Treasurer

Member of the NGONDO executive bureau, appointed at the General Assembly of 7 March 2026.

💰 Treasury

Learn more about the Ngondo

Sawa Tradition

The Grand Pirogue Race

A test of endurance on the Wouri — hand-carved giant pirogues, steered by dozens of paddlers to the rhythm of drums. The paddlers of Wouri Bosua are said to be in communion with the Miengu.

Every canton fields its team in this competition that is far more than a sport: an affirmation of identity and a bond with the sacred river.

Discover the race

Wouri Bwélé Canton at the heart of "The Awakening": a memorable stop for NGONDO

Tradition and Coexistence: the NGONDO Welcomes a Traditional Authority from the Mbam

Official programme: apotheosis on the banks of the Wouri on December 6, 2026

Anticipation and Vigilance

NGONDO 2026 Programme