TUKUBUM CULTURAL FESTIVAL 2025

“What Unites Us Is Bigger Than What Divides Us”

Overview

The 2nd Edition of the Tukubum Cultural Festival (TCF) marks a new milestone in the cultural revival and peacebuilding journey of the Bum people.

After the successful launch of the inaugural festival, this second edition builds on the spirit of unity, pride, and renewal, bringing together Bum sons and daughters, traditional rulers, diaspora communities, and friends of Bum from across the world.

Held under the Distinguished Patronage of H.E. the Minister of Arts and Culture, and spearheaded by the Paramount Fon of Bum in collaboration with the Council of Fons, Ardos, and Sarikis, the 2025 edition promises to be the most vibrant celebration of Bum identity to date.

Purpose & Spirit

Tukubum 2025 is more than a cultural event, it is a covenant of peace and a living celebration of the Bum people’s enduring values:

• Unity in Diversity
• Respect for Tradition and Heritage
• Dialogue and Reconciliation
• Youth Empowerment and Community Renewal

It embodies the Bum proverb:

“What unites us is greater than what divides us.”

Through this lens, Tukubum 2025 seeks to rebuild community confidence, revitalize cultural institutions, and inspire sustainable development through culture, education, and heritage.

Event Details

Festival Highlights & Activities

Throughout the five-day festival, Tukubum will feature a rich blend of music, art, heritage, and community experiences, including:

• Arrival and Registration of Traditional Dance Groups
  Dance troupes from all eight Fondoms, Bum Centre, Sawi, Jull, Faat, Mbuk, Mbamlu, Mungong, and Saff, will perform traditional dances showcasing the rhythm and diversity of Bum culture.
• Horse Race Exhibition
  The thrilling Race of Peace symbolizes unity, strength, and sportsmanship among the Bum people.
• Arts & Crafts Exhibition
  A colorful display of locally made crafts, carvings, beadwork, pottery, and woven textiles, celebrating the creativity of Bum artisans.
• Book Exhibition by Bum Authors
  Promoting Bum literature, oral history, and creative writing by local and diaspora authors.
• Traditional Storytelling & Poetry Performances
  Elders and youth sharing folktales, proverbs, and poems that preserve Bum wisdom and identity.
• Tabala Performances
  Evening drumming sessions blending rhythm, dance, and ancestral energy to close each festival day.
• Cultural Gastronomy & Local Cuisine Showcase
  Traditional dishes, cooking contests, and food stalls celebrating Bum’s culinary heritage.
• Fashion & Cultural Parade
  A lively display of traditional regalia and modern interpretations of Bum attire.
• Competitions & Awards
  Recognizing cultural excellence, artistic talent, and community contributions.

Ritual Blessings & Symbolic Peace Ceremonies
Conducted by the Fons, Ardos, and Sarikis to invoke ancestral protection and peace.

Special Features for 2025

Diaspora Participation

For the first time, diaspora celebrations will run parallel in North America and the UK, featuring:

• Live-streamed events and cultural showcases connecting global Bum communities.

BANA (North America) and BCOM-UK forums focused on cultural development and youth engagement.

Launch of the Tukubum Arts & Crafts Center (Fonfuka)

A landmark initiative, the foundation stone of the new Tukubum Arts & Crafts Center will be officially laid during the festival.
This center will serve as a living museum, training hub, and cultural tourism site for artisans, researchers, and visitors.

Educational & Youth Initiatives

• Scholarship and literacy drives promoting education as a pathway to peace.
  

The “Back to School through Culture” campaign to motivate youth involvement in education.

Tourism & Economic Impact

• Local hotels, markets, and small businesses will benefit from festival visitors.
  

Collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Leisure to position Bum as a top cultural destination in Cameroon’s Grassfields region.

Expected Impact

Who Will Attend

• Traditional Rulers: Fons, Ardos, and Sarikis of all eight Bum Fondoms.
  
• Government Delegates: Ministry of Arts & Culture and Ministry of Tourism & Leisure.
  
• Diaspora Partners: BANA (North America), BCOM-UK, Great Bum Foundation.
  
• Media Partners: CRTV, Canal 2, Equinox, Cameroon Tribune.
  
• Visitors & Tourists: Cultural enthusiasts, researchers, peace advocates, and locals.