12 Top Amazing Cameroonian Traditional Dances

12 Top Amazing Cameroonian Traditional Dances

When it comes to dancing, Africans are known all over the world for having such a tremendous skill. The energy, passion, and excitement that comes with dancing is out of this world. Music is a universal language that knows no tribe or nationality. All it takes is learning the moves and enjoying the rhythm.

Many would bear me witness that they have fallen in love with a song just because of the style of dancing or the beats though they do not understand the lyrics.  Hahaha! It is normal to be swept away by the dancing steps displayed by any group of people or their outfits.

Today’s write-up is to expose some of the most famous Cameroonian traditional dances to the world. Given the fact that Cameroon is diversified, not all of these beautiful traditional dances can be covered in a single article.

These traditional dances are mostly performed during ceremonies such as coronations, weddings, cultural festivals, and rituals like invoking the spirits of the ancestors to cure the ill or increase fertility just to name a few. In Manyu division, the southwest region of Cameroon for example, “Obasinjom” (Pardon my spelling. You can comment the right spelling in the comment section if this is wrong) is invoked to expose witches and wizards disturbing the progress of the community or causing harm to others.

It should be noted that some traditional dances are single-sex while others are mixed. For example, “Ekpeh” hailing from Mamfe is performed by men only.

Without further delay, let us dive straightaway to the 12 amazing Cameroonian traditional dances presented in no manner of preference.

12 Top Amazing Cameroonian Traditional Dances

# 12. Mangambeu

Mangambeu is a traditional dance belonging to the Bamileke people in the western region of Cameroon. It is performed by dancers moving in small steps, wiggling their legs, and sometimes with their torsos leaning forward. The music is played by Xylophones and traditional percussion by men. It is performed by both sexes. Click here to see how it is done.

# 11. Bottle Dance

It takes two to tangle likewise the bottle traditional dance hailing from the northwest region of Cameroon.

The dance started as a way for families to celebrate at home during happy occasions when everything is calm and steady. Click here to see how it is done.

# 10. Ambasse Bey Dance

The next Cameroonian traditional dance is the Ambasse Bey or ambas-i-bay originally from Douala since the 1930s. Ambasse bey originated among the Yabassi ethnic group and became very popular in Douala after World War II. Click here to see how it is done.

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# 9. Ekpe Dance

This traditional dance hails from Mamfe, in the southwest region of Cameroon. This dance is performed in cultural festivals, coronations, or in the funeral ceremony of a member. It is performed by men only.

 

During the performance, one of the members wears the Ekpe mask while dancing with the other members, making it more entertaining. The Ekpe masquerade wears a bell around his waist and whips people who are not clapping.

Onlookers are frequently seen clapping and cheering people who are dancing. Members of this traditional dance wear the Sanja traditional attire, which includes a cap and stave. Click here to see how it is done.

# 8. Bensikin Dance

A dance lover would be mesmerized seeing how this dance is performed. It is done by moving the waist and legs. The Bamileke and Banso people of the northwest region of Cameroon perform this dance. Click here to see how it is done.

# 7. Bakweri dance

With respect to the Bakweri traditional dance, we will talk about the Elephant dance and the chacha dance, which is done by shaking the shoulders. ​

The elephant (Njoku in Bakweri) is the totem of the Bakweri people.  It is said that members of the “Male” societies have “their” elephant in the bush and can transform into this elephant. Villages meet from time to time to perform the “Male” or “Elephant Dance”. The Njoku dance is performed by males only. Click here to see how it is done.

# 6. Assiko Dance

The Assiko traditional dance belongs to the Bassa people. The dance style derives its name from two words “Assi” meaning earth or ground and “Ko” meaning foot. This dance involves the use of pronounced hip movements.

The costumes worn by the performers include the Sanja traditional outfit (Loin and a white long-sleeved shirt) for men and a colorful skirt or loin (wrapper) for women. Click here to see how it is done.

# 5. Njang

Last yet not least on the list of the amazing traditional dances in Cameroon is the Njang traditional dance performed by origins from Meta, Bafut, Mankon, Babaki, and many other tribes from the Northwest region of Cameroon.

The dance is done by gently moving the body with slow and calculated movements of the hands and feet. Both sexes partake in the dance. Another interesting thing that would catch your attention is the traditional outfit worn to perform this dance by the various tribes. These outfits vary with tribes. Click here to see how it is done.

# 4. Bikutsi Dance

Bikutsi is an ethnic dance practiced by the Beti people who live mainly in Cameroon's Central Region. In Ewondo, the rhythm is pronounced "Biakut si," which means, "we hit the ground," usually danced by making undulations of the upper and lower limbs of the body to a tempo amplified by synchronized instruments, resulting in a frenetic and very lively rhythm.

This dance symbolizes strength, joy, and unity. It is used in most celebrations. Click here to see how it is done.

 

# 3. Bakossi Dance

How well do you know how to shake that waist of yours? The Bakossi traditional dance is performed by softly wining your waist. One might think it is a vigorous exercise but trust me when I say it is not.

Tribes that perform this dance includes the Bakundu, Bassossi, Mbo, Balong Bafaw and so on. Bakossi people are artistic in dancing and among the very exciting styles of dance are Mal, Ebenzu, Nkolenge, Ngomelong, Club dance, Asiko (with stilts), and the most popular Ngoneh. Click here to see how it is done.

# 2. Oroko Dance

The Oroko traditional dance is done by shaking the back, shoulder, and hands. The rhythm of the dance starts slowly and later reaches a climax so does the shaking of the back, shoulders, and hands. Click here to see how it is done.

# 1. Moni-nkim Dance

The Moninkim traditional dance hails from Manyu division of the southwest region of Cameroon (Bayangi people). This group of people are nationally known for their prideful nature so is their dance.

Moninkim also known as “Nyanga dance” is a colorful and vibrant beauty contest dance mostly done by circumcised ladies or women in the past to portray the beauty of the maiden who has undergone a spiritual process of at least 6 months. Thanks to civilization, young girls can perform this now without being circumcised. Click here to see how it is done.

Concluding Remark

Above are the top 12 Amazing Cameroonian traditional dances compiled by nourishmymind.com in no manner of preference.  

Are you mad about not seeing your traditional dance on the list? Nourishmymind.com apologizes if you happen not to see your traditional dance in the write-up. As earlier mentioned, given the diversity of Cameroon, 200 and above traditional dances cannot be displayed in a single article.

Even at first glance, all of Cameroon's traditional dances are breathtakingly beautiful and unique. Cameroon is exceptional because of its diversity. Are you considering where you will travel to next? Cameroon has everything.

Which of the traditional dances mentioned above is your favorite? Feel free to remark on any additional ethnic dances that are not covered in the article. Gratitude for reading.