Celebrated every year on the banks of the Wouri River in Douala, the Ngondo embodies the unity of the Sawa people and seals the sacred bond between the living, the ancestors and the aquatic deities.
Under the theme of Anticipation and Vigilance, the 2026 edition unfolds from September to December, culminating in the grand gathering on the banks of the Wouri on Sunday, December 6th.
Travelling fairs across the Sawa cantons (Deido, Akwa, Bell…) highlighting Sawa culinary arts (Ndolé), heritage music (Ngos, Bolobo) and local crafts. Wrestling eliminations and Miss Ngondo preliminary rounds.
Finals of the traditional Sawa wrestling competition. Election of Miss Ngondo 2026 — beauty, eloquence and mastery of Sawa culture. Grand cultural evenings with concerts and ceremonies.
The grand gathering of the Sawa people. Sacred water ritual — an initiated diver plunges into the Wouri to retrieve a sacred vessel carrying the ancestors' messages, read publicly in the Duala language. Grand pirogue race. Assembly of the Superior Chiefs of all Sawa cantons.
The mystical heart of the festival. An initiated diver plunges into the Wouri to meet the water spirits (Mami Wata) and retrieve a sacred vessel. The ancestors' messages are deciphered and read publicly in the Duala language.
Central RitualA closed-door meeting of the Superior Chiefs of all Sawa cantons to invoke social peace, inter-cantonal solidarity and bless the offerings to the aquatic deities of the Wouri.
Sawa ChiefsA mystical protection ritual using sacred bark and ritual waters to purify athletes, dignitaries and paddlers before the sporting events and public ceremonies.
ProtectionA spectacular feat of endurance and speed on the Wouri River, the pirogue race pits hand-carved giant vessels against each other, steered by dozens of paddlers to the rhythm of drums.
Each Sawa canton fields its team in this competition that is far more than a sport — it is an affirmation of identity, collective strength and connection to the sacred river.
Discover the Race