BAFACULT 2026 (Mansoh Festival) aims to revive and institutionalize the Mansoh Festival as a sustainable cultural platform for safeguarding Bafut heritage, fostering community unity, and engaging local and international partners in the protection and preservation of Bafut cultural heritage.

The festival opens with an ecumenical service, supplicating and putting festival activities in the hands of our creator. This is followed by a singing competition among church groups specializing in indigenous songs (Njang church groups). Participating churches include Presbyterian, Catholic, Baptist, Indigenous Moslems, and other churches in Bafut.
08:00
to 11:00
Session Featured Free
Opening Ecumenical Service

Bafut Palace Cultural Heritage Site

The festival opens with a solemn ecumenical service bringing together all Bafut people regardless of religious denomination. This sacred ceremony seek...

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14:00
to 18:00
Session Featured Free
Indigenous Songs Competition (Njang Choir)

Bafut Palace Cultural Heritage Site

Church groups compete in performing traditional Njang songs and other indigenous musical pieces. This competition showcases the beautiful blend of Chr...

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A sacred traditional pilgrimage caravan to Mbah Shrine and back, featuring traditional dance performances at each stop or resting point. The day includes consultation of ancestors, supplication and reception of fertility blessings for the kingdom's maidens. Facilitated by the Traditional Council, Custodians of Mbah Shrine (Butabi-Mbah), Nda Chemeufor, Nda Bukum, Nda Buta, Nda Buma, Kwifor, Takumbergn, Manfor, Fon, Nda Adangwa, Nda Mansoh, Bafut Manjong, and Bafut Municipal Council.
06:00
to 12:00
Session Featured Free
Mbah Shrine Pilgrimage Caravan

Butabi-Mbah Sacred Grounds

A solemn traditional pilgrimage caravan journeys to the sacred Mbah Shrine (Mbebili Sub Palace). The caravan stops at designated resting points for tr...

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12:00
to 16:00
Session Free
Traditional Dance Performances at Rest Points

Bafut Kingdom Routes

As the pilgrimage caravan returns from Mbah Shrine, various traditional dance groups perform at designated rest points. This includes performances by...

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16:00
to 18:00
Session Free
Fertility Blessings Ceremony for Maidens

Bafut Palace Cultural Heritage Site

A sacred ceremony where the kingdom's maidens receive fertility blessings from the ancestors through the traditional custodians. This ancient rite ens...

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A vibrant day featuring the original Mansoh Dance and other dance group performances. Sporting activities include the Koh Hill Race, Cross-country Race, and Cycling Tour. Participants include Mansoh Dance groups, Bafut Students Association, Bafut Youths, Women's dance groups, Indigenous association of senior citizens, and Indigenous sport associations.
07:00
to 09:00
Session Free
Koh Hill Race

Koh Hill, Bafut Kingdom

Athletes compete in a challenging race up Koh Hill, one of the most prominent geographical features of Bafut. This grueling race tests endurance and d...

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09:00
to 13:00
Session Featured Free
Original Mansoh Dance Competition

Bafut Palace Cultural Heritage Site

The highlight of the festival featuring competition among Mansoh Dance groups from across Bafut. Groups demonstrate the original Mansoh dance in its a...

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14:00
to 16:00
Session Free
Cross-Country Race

Bafut Kingdom

A cross-country race taking participants through the beautiful terrain of Bafut Kingdom. Runners navigate through villages, farmlands, and natural lan...

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16:00
to 18:00
Session Free
Cycling Tour

Bafut Kingdom

A cycling tour taking participants through scenic routes of Bafut, passing historical sites and natural landmarks. This modern sporting event connects...

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A tour of the Bafut Palace, Palace Museum, and other touristic sites and museums in the kingdom. Features Achu Meal Refreshment and Non-Mansoh traditional dance competition. Facilitated by UNESCO Achu Meal inscription committee, Indigenous touristic site owners, Museum owners, Bafut Craft Association, Nda Adangwa, Nda Mansoh, and Bafut Manjong.
09:00
to 12:00
Session Featured Free
Bafut Palace Museum Tour

Bafut Palace Cultural Heritage Site

Comprehensive guided tours of the Bafut Palace, a UNESCO tentative list site, and its museum housing artifacts spanning centuries of Bafut history. Vi...

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10:00
to 17:00
Session Free
Craft Exhibition & Artisan Market

Bafut Palace Cultural Heritage Site

The Bafut Craft Association presents an extensive exhibition of traditional crafts including woodcarving, weaving, pottery, basket-making, and beadwor...

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12:00
to 14:00
Session Featured Free
Traditional Achu Meal Festival

Bafut Palace Cultural Heritage Site

A grand celebration of Achu, Bafut's signature traditional meal being considered for UNESCO inscription. The UNESCO Achu Meal inscription committee le...

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15:00
to 18:00
Session Free
Non-Mansoh Traditional Dance Competition

Bafut Palace Cultural Heritage Site

A competition showcasing the diversity of Bafut traditional dances beyond Mansoh. Various dance groups perform their unique styles, demonstrating the...

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Traditional and non-traditional music performances by indigenous artists, presentations by Bafut Language Society, Traditional fashion parade, Miss Mansoh contest, and presentation of Bafut Mythology and Traditional Medical Practices by the Association of Bafut Native Doctors. Coordinated by Bafut Artist Association, Bafut Language Association, Bafut Women Associations (Manda Bafut), and Miss pageant associations from various Manjong branches.
09:00
to 12:00
Session Featured Free
Traditional Music Performances

Bafut Palace Cultural Heritage Site

The Bafut Artist Association presents performances of traditional music using indigenous instruments such as drums, xylophones, flutes, and stringed i...

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10:00
to 12:00
Session Free
Bafut Language Society Presentations

Bafut Palace Cultural Heritage Site

The Bafut Language Society presents on efforts to document, preserve, and promote the Bafut language. Sessions include language lessons, storytelling...

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11:00
to 13:00
Session Free
Bafut Traditional Medicine Presentation

Bafut Palace Cultural Heritage Site

The Association of Bafut Native Doctors presents on traditional medical knowledge, herbal remedies, and healing practices. The presentation includes d...

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14:00
to 16:00
Session Featured Free
Traditional Fashion Parade

Bafut Palace Cultural Heritage Site

Traditional fashion designers and models present authentic Bafut attire from various periods and occasions. The parade showcases royal garments, cerem...

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16:00
to 19:00
Session Featured Free
Miss Mansoh Beauty Pageant

Bafut Palace Cultural Heritage Site

The Miss Mansoh contest brings together maidens from various Manjong Branches, quarters, and villages of Bafut. Contestants are judged on cultural kno...

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Conference/Seminar/Workshop on "Bafut Culture Revival and Community Engagement for Heritage Protection." Topics include community engagement, heritage protection and preservation, benefits of UNESCO heritage sites, heritage entrepreneurship, and digital preservation. Features exhibition of research work. Facilitated by Bafut Elite Association, Traditional Elites, Heritage professionals, NGOs, Youth and Students Associations.
09:00
to 10:30
Session Featured Free
Heritage Protection Conference Opening

Bafut Palace Cultural Heritage Site

The conference opens with addresses from Bafut Elite Association, Traditional Elites, and heritage professionals. The theme "Bafut Culture Revival and...

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09:00
to 18:00
Session Free
Research Work Exhibition

Bafut Palace Cultural Heritage Site

An all-day exhibition showcasing research work on Bafut culture, history, and heritage. Displays include academic papers, documentation projects, arch...

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10:45
to 12:30
Session Free
Community Engagement Workshop

Bafut Palace Cultural Heritage Site

An interactive workshop exploring how communities can actively participate in heritage protection. Topics include volunteer programs, documentation in...

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14:00
to 15:30
Session Free
UNESCO Heritage Benefits Seminar

Bafut Palace Cultural Heritage Site

Expert presentation on the benefits of UNESCO World Heritage inscription, including tourism development, international recognition, access to preserva...

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15:45
to 17:15
Session Free
Heritage Entrepreneurship & Digital Preservation

Bafut Palace Cultural Heritage Site

This session explores heritage entrepreneurship—creating sustainable livelihoods through cultural tourism, craft production, and cultural services. Al...

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17:30
to 19:00
Session Featured Free
Youth and Diaspora Forum

Bafut Palace Cultural Heritage Site

Bafut Youth Association, Bafut Students Association, and diaspora representatives discuss their role in heritage preservation. Topics include youth pr...

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The grand finale featuring Football and Handball Finals, Prize Awards ceremony. Participants include Bafut Students Association (BASA), Bafut Youths, and Indigenous sport associations. Facilitated by Bafut Youth Association, Bafut sport associations, Nda Adangwa, Nda Mansoh, Bafut Manjong, and Bafut Municipal Council.
09:00
to 11:00
Session Free
Football Finals

Bafut Municipal Sports Complex

The culmination of the football tournament with the championship match between the two finalist teams. Organized by Bafut Youth Association and Bafut...

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11:30
to 13:00
Session Free
Handball Finals

Bafut Municipal Sports Complex

The handball tournament finals featuring the top two teams. This fast-paced match provides exciting entertainment and celebrates the handball traditio...

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15:00
to 17:00
Session Featured Free
Grand Prize Awards Ceremony

Bafut Palace Cultural Heritage Site

The grand prize awards ceremony recognizes winners from all festival competitions including dance, sports, singing, and the Miss Mansoh pageant. Prize...

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17:30
to 19:00
Session Featured Free
Official Closing Ceremony

Bafut Palace Cultural Heritage Site

The official closing ceremony marks the end of BAFACULT 2026. Traditional authorities, including representatives from Nda Adangwa, Nda Mansoh, Bafut M...

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