The 7th edition of the festival of arts and culture of the mbamois people "Mbam'Art 2015" opened on Friday in Bafia.

On the occasion of the official opening of the said festival, several personalities were present; the Minister of employment and professional training, Zacharie Perevet, Secretary-general of the Department of Arts and Culture (Minac), Mouhtar Ousmane, the Sultan of the Bamum and King Nsoh,and other heads of Department. The colourful festivities were celebrated and highly patronised by young people.

Indeed, the theme chosen for this edition was: "Youth and tradition." Being at the heart of this festival, the youth executed steps of traditional dances of the nine families that represent great Mbam (Bafia, Baveuk, Banen, Babouté, Ossannanga, Yambassa, Tikar, Djanti et Lemandé)

The aim was to promote the different cultures among the youth of the MMFA. "We noticed that our youth is uninterested in our cultures. They no longer speak our languages, do not know our dances and the funeral and marriage procedures.

In short, our young people do not know about our history, they do not know where they come from and who they are.

If you do not know who you are, how can you participate in the building of a country? "The challenges of this festival are numerous, particularly, that which perpetuate our cultures for present generations", said Camille Moute à Bidias, executive president of the MMFA festival'Art 2015.

For this purpose, most of the activities have been devoted to young people and the festival through these main points: language, history, dance, traditional dishes, etc. of the mbamois people, through the scientific conference which was held on 25th February in Ombessa on the theme of the festival.

Competitions held for categories such as the best young cook of traditional foods, the best young traditional dancer, one of the best young wine Palm (best knife) picker among others were on the program.

There was also a beauty contest to crown the most beautiful girl of the great MMFA which was won by miss Bafia. She became miss Mbam'Art 2015. The village of the festival has even been created for the occasion.

According the Secretary general of the Minac, "the challenge of this festival beyond the undeniable economic issue, also seeks the cultural construction of legacy for the younger generation more exposed to different cultures and civilizations due to new technological tools.

However, one cannot deny the fact that, the new world comes with its own novelty and innovation. But let's take what is necessary in order to better express our ambition," he concluded.