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The Lie’La Festival of Cameroon

March 16th, 2025

by Metolo Foyet

The LIE’LA Festival is hosted in Fotouni, a kingdom located in the montane ecosystem of Cameroon’s Western High Plateau, a luscious region characterized by high relief, cool temperatures, heavy rainfall and varied range of savanna and tropical forest vegetation. LIE’LA is a vibrant celebration fostering cultural heritage, communal development and innovation. The festival has evolved with each edition, from its inception to the landmark achievements of 2021, the 3rd edition which featured a major innovation: it was presided over by a woman.

Organized biennially, the 2023 fourth edition underscored the importance of preserving Fotouni’s rich traditions while fostering a sense of unity among its diaspora and local population. This event highlighted the growing intersection between cultural identity and economic empowerment, as the influx of visitors significantly boosted commercial activity in the area.

Centered on the theme, “Initiation of Youth into Traditional Values for Better Cultural Ownership”, the festival sought to address concerns over the detachment of the younger generation from cultural heritage, and aimed to reconnect them with their cultural roots amidst growing modern influences. The 2023 edition engaged over 5,000 attendees across eight days, while introducing innovations, such as the NOUNENA ECO TREK, a marathon promoting physical activity and eco-tourism. Also, the kingdom’s traditional authorities extended their hands to the youth for an imminent and pressing succession.

Key Highlights of the Festival:

Economic and Cultural Impact

The festival bolstered local commerce through increased visitor spending and promoted Fotouni’s rich cultural and touristic appeal. The fourth edition stood out with its innovative youth-oriented programming, including traditional dance performances, symbolic initiation parades for young participants, and educational discussions that revived fading aspects of Fotouni traditions.

Inauguration and Opening Ceremony

The opening ceremony on March 4, 2023, presided over by the Secretary General of the Governor’s Office for the West Region, featured speeches by notable authorities. This was followed by the inaugural parade of young initiates, performances by a number of artists, the inaugural MEBANG parade, the KOUODJANG dance by young girls, the LESSA dance, a gala match and a tour of the stands in the festival village. This festive start set the stage for the event’s cultural and recreational activities.

Exhibitions and Stands

50% of the 64 stands the festival hosted were occupied, showcasing:

  • Traditional Attire and Artifacts (3 shopping stands);
  • Corporate Exhibits by sponsors (7 stands);
  • Community Associations (3 stands);
  • Gastronomy with local food and beverages (8 stands);
  • Agropastoral Goods like vegetables, livestock, and poultry (12 stands).
Health Campaign

A pivotal 3-day free healthcare campaign organized at the Centre Médicale d’Arrondissement de Fotouni under the coordination of referral doctors provided consultations and screenings for hundreds of participants:

  • 409 general consultations by two general practitioners;
  • 180 ophthalmological check-ups carried out by an ophthalmologist;
  • 127 ultrasound scans of all types performed by 2 radiologists assisted by a medical imaging engineer;
  • 633 laboratory tests, including 208 HIV tests, 100 hepatitis B tests, 100 hepatitis C tests, 20 PSA (prostate) tests, 100 blood glucose tests and 105 RDT (malaria) tests.

The campaign was supported by medical partners and included significant donations of medical equipment and free year-long healthcare for certain patients.

Cultural Activities

Festival-goers, estimated at around 5,000, had the pleasure of attending cultural performances including:

  • Traditional rites of purification and ancestral blessings;
  • A parade of age-based initiation groups, exemplified in the release of the NDEUK clan, aged 45-50, which also helped to give this edition its stature;
  • Heritage dance exhibitions and secret society parades;
  • A parade of young initiates, made up of young people aged 3 to 7 for the first wave (NCHIE DE’EU), 8 to 13 for the second wave with traditional values (MBE’EBOU MFEUM) and 14 and over for the third wave (FEFEU’WANG);
  • Evenings of storytelling and charades around bonfires garnished with roasted plantains and cocoyams burnt in red oil, and braised pork to accompany it all;
  • An election of “Miss LIELA,” which captivated popular interest, as were the musical concerts hosted by our local artists;
  • Cultural workshops and conferences;
  • The craft, art, gastronomic and industrial fair, which attracted the participation of numerous partners, including a dozen companies, some fifteen retailers, 4 craftsmen, 5 livestock breeders and some fifteen farmers.
Music Concerts

Over 19 artists performed, attracting large crowds nightly over a week period. Their diverse musical styles underscored the region’s artistic vibrancy.

Educational Focus

The youth were targeted through:

  • Workshops on traditional values and
  • Charitable scholarships sponsored by the Fotouni diaspora, benefiting students from various educational levels.
Agricultural and Artisan Mini Fair

To promote the agropastoral and craft sector in Fotouni, the festival included:

  • A competition recognizing outstanding artisans, farmers, and breeders;
  • Displays of impressive agricultural produce, artisanal crafts, and livestock;
  • Distribution of farming tools as prizes to participants.

After a sensitization phase in all the villages and districts of the kingdom, 150 potential exhibitors were registered. Of the applications received, 87 were accepted. Based on the work of a jury set up to rate the participants’ products, the best were awarded prizes: the best craftsman, the best breeder and the 4 best farmers. It should be noted that this initiative was brought to the attention of the departmental delegates of MINADER (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) and MINEPIA (Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries) for the Haut-Nkam region of Cameroon. After evaluation of the various products on display and in the running, the exhibitors received cash and/or in-kind prizes consisting of sprayers, herbicides, field hoes, machetes, buckets, files, troughs, bags of feed, corn seeds and watering cans. Several products were on display, including plantain bunches measuring up to 2 meters; cassava and cocoyam tubers of impressive size, beans, palm oil, ginger, potatoes, yams, peanuts, cabbage, tomatoes, peppers,  arabica coffee, okra, taro, fresh corn. Goats, rams, pigs, hogs, piglets, guinea fowl, hens and roosters in impressive sizes and shapes, and even rats in cages, were on display. Handicrafts such as traditional clothing, necklaces and art works (furniture, statuettes, decorative paintings, traditional baskets, etc.) were on display, while others were made on the spot.

Special Events

A charity gala by the diaspora raised funds for the community’s development, including pledges for the royal palace renovation. Special diaspora prizes enabled school bursaries ranging from $100 to $500 to be offered to nursery, primary and secondary school pupils from the Fotouni group. These prizes were awarded during the festival’s closing ceremony. In addition, the diaspora presented the artist Iskram 237 with the sum of 100,000Fcfa as the prize for the best Fotouni artist. Additionally, a grand bonfire event symbolized community unity.

Financial Overview

Financially, the festival generated USD 43K, reflecting a notable increase from previous editions, despite logistical challenges like late contributions and coordination issues. Expenditure amounted to USD 40K. In addition, support in the amount of USD 16K was obtained from the Ministry of Finance but yet to be disbursed to the community’s development fund.

Closing Ceremony

The festival closed with an elaborate ceremony on March 11, in the esplanade of the FOTOUNI festival square. It was attended by dignitaries, traditional leaders, government representatives and the Fotouni populace and diaspora.

It was 11:30 a.m. when a large delegation of Meffo (Queen mothers), Ngembu (Royal warriors, healers and spiritual protectors), and Chiefs of Fotouni’s villages accompanied the arrival of the Fotouni king, His Majesty FO’O FONDJO II and his special guests. This was followed by the presentation of awards to the winners of the NONENA ECO TREK, the presentation of Miss LIELA 2023 and her two runners-up, the presentation of special diaspora awards and the Agro-industrial Fair awards.

Various speeches followed, including a word of welcome from the mayor of Bandja, a neighboring kingdom, and the presidents of Fotouni’s different development bodies. The performance by the collective of artists (iskram 237, Mdex le phénomène and kelvis Markon), who joined forces to compose a special festival soundtrack, marked the transition to the second part of the program, which was opened by FO’O FONDJO Il, with the presentation of his representatives, the presentation of the technical organizing committee and the appointment of WITBA MBEU NGWESSEM SIELATSHOM Vital as president of the organizing committee for the next edition in 2027.

The speech by the Minister of Arts and Culture, represented by the Prefect of the Haut-Nkam Department and read by the Regional Delegate for Arts and Culture, marked the end of the speeches. The speeches were followed by a parade of delegations, young initiates and secret societies.

Challenges Encountered

The main difficulties encountered were: (i) late arrival of contributions, which prevented optimal planning of activities; (ii) failure to keep to the schedule for the dance groups; (iii) low turnout for visits to tourist sites; (iv) incivism on the part of some participants; (v) logistical constraints that prevented all farmers and craftsmen from transporting their products to the festival village; and (vi) poor orientation of guests at the closing reception.

Gratitude and Forward Planning

Organizers extended heartfelt thanks to local and diaspora supporters, partners, and attendees. The festival is poised to return in 2027, aiming for even greater cultural preservation and community development.

Relevant Links

To know more about the Kingdom of Fotouni and its flagship LIE’LA Cultural Festival, check the following resources:

Peer-reviewed article on Fotouni’s Potential for Tourism and Conservation: https://grassrootsjournals.org/gjnr/nr.07-02-01.foyetetal.d.pdf

Report LIE’LA 2023_FR: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/386747253_Initiation_des_jeunes_aux_valeurs_traditionnelles_pour_une_meilleure_appropriation_de_la_culture_Fotouni

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About the author

Metolo Foyet

Human geographer and computational social scientist by training, Metolo’s interest spans across tropical landscapes restoration, the wildlife economy, human rights and grassroots movements, public policy and the role of arts and tech in shaping dynamics within these fields.

Prior to specializing in conservation science, she spent over a decade adding value to organisations by delivering innovative projects that engage stakeholders and expertise in education, agriculture, public affairs, communications, translation, and cyber security.

When she is not in rural areas contributing to community-based natural resource management (CBNRM), she paints, writes, engages in sports or globe/cyber trotting to show and see the world as others do.

Metolo holds a Bachelor’s degree in Politics and International Relations, a Master’s degree in Conflict, Peace, and Security, and she is currently working towards a Ph.D. in Geography at the University of Florida.

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by Metolo Foyet

The LIE’LA Festival is hosted in Fotouni, a kingdom located in the montane ecosystem of Cameroon’s Western High Plateau, a luscious region characterized by high relief, cool temperatures, heavy rainfall and varied range of savanna and tropical forest vegetation. LIE’LA is a vibrant celebration fostering cultural heritage, communal development and innovation. The festival has evolved with each edition, from its inception to the landmark achievements of 2021, the 3rd edition which featured a major innovation: it was presided over by a woman.

Organized biennially, the 2023 fourth edition underscored the importance of preserving Fotouni’s rich traditions while fostering a sense of unity among its diaspora and local population. This event highlighted the growing intersection between cultural identity and economic empowerment, as the influx of visitors significantly boosted commercial activity in the area.

Centered on the theme, “Initiation of Youth into Traditional Values for Better Cultural Ownership”, the festival sought to address concerns over the detachment of the younger generation from cultural heritage, and aimed to reconnect them with their cultural roots amidst growing modern influences. The 2023 edition engaged over 5,000 attendees across eight days, while introducing innovations, such as the NOUNENA ECO TREK, a marathon promoting physical activity and eco-tourism. Also, the kingdom’s traditional authorities extended their hands to the youth for an imminent and pressing succession.

Key Highlights of the Festival:

Economic and Cultural Impact

The festival bolstered local commerce through increased visitor spending and promoted Fotouni’s rich cultural and touristic appeal. The fourth edition stood out with its innovative youth-oriented programming, including traditional dance performances, symbolic initiation parades for young participants, and educational discussions that revived fading aspects of Fotouni traditions.

Inauguration and Opening Ceremony

The opening ceremony on March 4, 2023, presided over by the Secretary General of the Governor’s Office for the West Region, featured speeches by notable authorities. This was followed by the inaugural parade of young initiates, performances by a number of artists, the inaugural MEBANG parade, the KOUODJANG dance by young girls, the LESSA dance, a gala match and a tour of the stands in the festival village. This festive start set the stage for the event’s cultural and recreational activities.

Exhibitions and Stands

50% of the 64 stands the festival hosted were occupied, showcasing:

  • Traditional Attire and Artifacts (3 shopping stands);
  • Corporate Exhibits by sponsors (7 stands);
  • Community Associations (3 stands);
  • Gastronomy with local food and beverages (8 stands);
  • Agropastoral Goods like vegetables, livestock, and poultry (12 stands).
Health Campaign

A pivotal 3-day free healthcare campaign organized at the Centre Médicale d’Arrondissement de Fotouni under the coordination of referral doctors provided consultations and screenings for hundreds of participants:

  • 409 general consultations by two general practitioners;
  • 180 ophthalmological check-ups carried out by an ophthalmologist;
  • 127 ultrasound scans of all types performed by 2 radiologists assisted by a medical imaging engineer;
  • 633 laboratory tests, including 208 HIV tests, 100 hepatitis B tests, 100 hepatitis C tests, 20 PSA (prostate) tests, 100 blood glucose tests and 105 RDT (malaria) tests.

The campaign was supported by medical partners and included significant donations of medical equipment and free year-long healthcare for certain patients.

Cultural Activities

Festival-goers, estimated at around 5,000, had the pleasure of attending cultural performances including:

  • Traditional rites of purification and ancestral blessings;
  • A parade of age-based initiation groups, exemplified in the release of the NDEUK clan, aged 45-50, which also helped to give this edition its stature;
  • Heritage dance exhibitions and secret society parades;
  • A parade of young initiates, made up of young people aged 3 to 7 for the first wave (NCHIE DE’EU), 8 to 13 for the second wave with traditional values (MBE’EBOU MFEUM) and 14 and over for the third wave (FEFEU’WANG);
  • Evenings of storytelling and charades around bonfires garnished with roasted plantains and cocoyams burnt in red oil, and braised pork to accompany it all;
  • An election of “Miss LIELA,” which captivated popular interest, as were the musical concerts hosted by our local artists;
  • Cultural workshops and conferences;
  • The craft, art, gastronomic and industrial fair, which attracted the participation of numerous partners, including a dozen companies, some fifteen retailers, 4 craftsmen, 5 livestock breeders and some fifteen farmers.
Music Concerts

Over 19 artists performed, attracting large crowds nightly over a week period. Their diverse musical styles underscored the region’s artistic vibrancy.

Educational Focus

The youth were targeted through:

  • Workshops on traditional values and
  • Charitable scholarships sponsored by the Fotouni diaspora, benefiting students from various educational levels.
Agricultural and Artisan Mini Fair

To promote the agropastoral and craft sector in Fotouni, the festival included:

  • A competition recognizing outstanding artisans, farmers, and breeders;
  • Displays of impressive agricultural produce, artisanal crafts, and livestock;
  • Distribution of farming tools as prizes to participants.

After a sensitization phase in all the villages and districts of the kingdom, 150 potential exhibitors were registered. Of the applications received, 87 were accepted. Based on the work of a jury set up to rate the participants’ products, the best were awarded prizes: the best craftsman, the best breeder and the 4 best farmers. It should be noted that this initiative was brought to the attention of the departmental delegates of MINADER (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) and MINEPIA (Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries) for the Haut-Nkam region of Cameroon. After evaluation of the various products on display and in the running, the exhibitors received cash and/or in-kind prizes consisting of sprayers, herbicides, field hoes, machetes, buckets, files, troughs, bags of feed, corn seeds and watering cans. Several products were on display, including plantain bunches measuring up to 2 meters; cassava and cocoyam tubers of impressive size, beans, palm oil, ginger, potatoes, yams, peanuts, cabbage, tomatoes, peppers,  arabica coffee, okra, taro, fresh corn. Goats, rams, pigs, hogs, piglets, guinea fowl, hens and roosters in impressive sizes and shapes, and even rats in cages, were on display. Handicrafts such as traditional clothing, necklaces and art works (furniture, statuettes, decorative paintings, traditional baskets, etc.) were on display, while others were made on the spot.

Special Events

A charity gala by the diaspora raised funds for the community’s development, including pledges for the royal palace renovation. Special diaspora prizes enabled school bursaries ranging from $100 to $500 to be offered to nursery, primary and secondary school pupils from the Fotouni group. These prizes were awarded during the festival’s closing ceremony. In addition, the diaspora presented the artist Iskram 237 with the sum of 100,000Fcfa as the prize for the best Fotouni artist. Additionally, a grand bonfire event symbolized community unity.

Financial Overview

Financially, the festival generated USD 43K, reflecting a notable increase from previous editions, despite logistical challenges like late contributions and coordination issues. Expenditure amounted to USD 40K. In addition, support in the amount of USD 16K was obtained from the Ministry of Finance but yet to be disbursed to the community’s development fund.

Closing Ceremony

The festival closed with an elaborate ceremony on March 11, in the esplanade of the FOTOUNI festival square. It was attended by dignitaries, traditional leaders, government representatives and the Fotouni populace and diaspora.

It was 11:30 a.m. when a large delegation of Meffo (Queen mothers), Ngembu (Royal warriors, healers and spiritual protectors), and Chiefs of Fotouni’s villages accompanied the arrival of the Fotouni king, His Majesty FO’O FONDJO II and his special guests. This was followed by the presentation of awards to the winners of the NONENA ECO TREK, the presentation of Miss LIELA 2023 and her two runners-up, the presentation of special diaspora awards and the Agro-industrial Fair awards.

Various speeches followed, including a word of welcome from the mayor of Bandja, a neighboring kingdom, and the presidents of Fotouni’s different development bodies. The performance by the collective of artists (iskram 237, Mdex le phénomène and kelvis Markon), who joined forces to compose a special festival soundtrack, marked the transition to the second part of the program, which was opened by FO’O FONDJO Il, with the presentation of his representatives, the presentation of the technical organizing committee and the appointment of WITBA MBEU NGWESSEM SIELATSHOM Vital as president of the organizing committee for the next edition in 2027.

The speech by the Minister of Arts and Culture, represented by the Prefect of the Haut-Nkam Department and read by the Regional Delegate for Arts and Culture, marked the end of the speeches. The speeches were followed by a parade of delegations, young initiates and secret societies.

Challenges Encountered

The main difficulties encountered were: (i) late arrival of contributions, which prevented optimal planning of activities; (ii) failure to keep to the schedule for the dance groups; (iii) low turnout for visits to tourist sites; (iv) incivism on the part of some participants; (v) logistical constraints that prevented all farmers and craftsmen from transporting their products to the festival village; and (vi) poor orientation of guests at the closing reception.

Gratitude and Forward Planning

Organizers extended heartfelt thanks to local and diaspora supporters, partners, and attendees. The festival is poised to return in 2027, aiming for even greater cultural preservation and community development.

Relevant Links

To know more about the Kingdom of Fotouni and its flagship LIE’LA Cultural Festival, check the following resources:

Peer-reviewed article on Fotouni’s Potential for Tourism and Conservation: https://grassrootsjournals.org/gjnr/nr.07-02-01.foyetetal.d.pdf

Report LIE’LA 2023_FR: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/386747253_Initiation_des_jeunes_aux_valeurs_traditionnelles_pour_une_meilleure_appropriation_de_la_culture_Fotouni

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