Juniper Publishers-Annals of Social Sciences & Management studies
Showcasing the Cultural Potential of its Municipality– A Case Study of the Lime City Council, South West Region; Cameroon
Authored by Evaristus Nyong Abam
Introduction
Culture is the quality in a person or society that
arises from a concern for what is regarded as excellent in arts,
letters, manners, scholarly pursuits, or the behaviours and beliefs,
characteristic of a social, ethnic, or age group. Culture is the
characteristics and knowledge of a group of people, defined by
everything from language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music and
arts[1].The word “culture” is derived from a French term which in turn
is derived from the Latin word “colere,” which means to tend to the
earth and grow, or cultivation and nurture. It shares its etymology with
several other words related to actively fostering growth [2].There are
different kinds of culture, but culture is generally divided into two
different types: material culture and non-material culture. Material
culture is like class status and an example of material culture is
buying expensive cars, jewellery and clothing to reflect an elite status
within a community. Non-material culture is derived from intangible
things such as beliefs, traditions and values. In addition to material
and non-material culture, there are fewer dominant kinds of culture
called subculture and counterculture. Subculture refers to a group of
people who hold opposing beliefs or behave differently than most
people in their community. Members of a subculture also often create a
language that is distinct from the majority. Consequently, this smaller
community establishes a culture that may ostracize them from the rest of
society (www.reference.com) [3].Limbe, the town of friendship was
founded over 150 years ago by Alfred Saker, a British missionary who
dubbed it Victoria in 1858 and it was renamed Limbe in 1982 by
presidential decree after river limbe[4].
The Limbe festival of arts and culture (FESTAC)
[5].started on the 27th of March 2016 with the Miss FESTAC contest in
Limbe, on Saturday the 2nd of April it was officially launched by the
minister of arts and culture Mrs Ama Tutu Muna and it started on the 9th
of April 2016 and ended on 12th of 2016 and it is in its third edition,
the first started in 2014 and the second in 2015. The festival of arts
and culture attracted visitors from all over the country who came
expecting to see the diverse arts and culture the South West Region of
Cameroon has to offer. It also attracted musicians from all the ten
Regions of Cameroon such as Tata kinge, Petit Pays and a host of other
foreign visitors.Besides, the Nigerian, Ghanaian and Beninoise
communities’ resident in Limbe also showcase the richness of their
culture to the public
like the rest at the Festac village (www.fakonewscentre.com) [5].
The Government Delegate to the Limbe city council Mr Motanga
Andrew Monjimbo on his part said the festival is being packaged
to leave the guests itchy and longing to be back to Limbe for the
November games of 2016, African Women Cup of Nations that
shall be hosted by Cameroon and limbe is one of the host cities
[6].
Background of the Study
Limbe nicknamed the ‘Town of Friendship’ was founded over
150 years ago by Alfred Saker, British missionary who dubbed it
Victoria in 1858. It was renamed Limbe in 1982 by a presidential
decree after River Limbe. It is the Administrative Headquarters
of the Fako Division of the South West Region of Cameroon with
an estimated population of over 120.000 inhabitants and it is
divided into three subdivision; Limbe I, Limbe II and Limbe III.
Though the Isubu and the Bakweri tribes are indigenous to Limbe,
over the years the city has emerged as a central pot in which all
the different ethnic and cultural diversity that Cameroon prides
in, live together in peace and unity – Cameroon in miniature.
Literature Review
Culture is the characteristics and knowledge of a group of
people, defined by everything from language, religion, cuisine,
social habits, music and arts Culture and tourism have a mutually
beneficial relationship which can strengthen the attractiveness
and competitiveness of regions and countries. Culture is
increasingly an important element of the tourism product, which
also creates distinctiveness in a crowded global marketplace.
Cultural tourism is the visit by persons from outside the host
community motivated wholly or in part by interest in the
historical, artistic and scientific or lifestyle/heritage offerings
of a community, region, group or institution. Cultural tourism
destination takes strategic planning built on an understanding
that there are different degrees of consumer motivation for
culture and that most people are looking for a variety of things
to do when they travel. Curiosity and education are the main
drive of cultural tourists; they want to learn about other culture
people and their culture. This type of tourism may also include
folklore, traditional events, festivals, music, food, handicrafts,
daily work etc. Tourists who visit such areas that are not theirs
need someone to explain and interpret, hence the need for
culture brokers [7].
Research Methodology
For this research work, the researchers used only secondary
data that is, information collected from the Limbe city council
bulletins and other documents and websites of the Limbe city
council.
Findings and Analysis
The Metropolitan nature of the Limbe Municipality was seen
in the cultural dances that were displayed in 2018 festival of arts
and culture. The festival of arts and culture attracted visitors
from all over the country and beyond who came expecting to see
the diverse arts and culture the South West Region of Cameroon
has to offer. It also attracted musicians from all the ten Regions
of Cameroon such as Tata kinge, Petit Pays etc and a host of other
foreign visitors.Besides, the Nigerian, Ghanaian and Beninoise
communities’resident in Limbe also showcased the richness of
their culture.
Over the years the city has emerged as a central melting
pot in which the different ethnic and cultural diversity that
Cameroon prides in, live together in peace, unity and harmony.
To show the place that cultural tourism has in the municipality,
this year’s festival of arts and culture – the 5th edition was taking
place from the 7th of April 2018 by the Cameroon’s Ministry of
Arts and Culture in the presence of the Government Delegate to
the Limbe City Council [8]. It is not every day that one gets the
chance to attend a festival in the warm and beautiful beach town
of Limbe. The Limbe Festival of Arts and Culture is just that golden
opportunity for you to book a date with. The festival showcases
the cultural affluence of the creative and talented Cameroonian
people in all its facets. The fifth edition of the Limbe Festival of
Arts and Culture, FESTAC officially kicks off this Saturday April
7, 2018. This year’s cultural jamboree coincides with the 160th
anniversary of the founding of Victoria now Limbe.
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