Tournament of the Nine Provinces of Gabon

The Tournament of the Nine Provinces of Gabon is a festival of traditional African dances and songs held every August in Libreville, Gabon. It brings together performers from Gabon and Central Africa to showcase the region’s diverse cultural heritage through music and dance.

• Features traditional dances and songs from Gabon and Central Africa
• Held every August in Libreville, Gabon
• Founded in 2015 to revive cultural celebration
• Open to the public with competitions among cultural groups
• Past venues include the Botanical Garden and CICIBA site

What it is

The Tournament of the Nine Provinces of Gabon is a vibrant cultural festival dedicated to traditional African dances and songs. Held annually in Libreville, it serves as a stage for the many ethnic groups of Gabon and Central Africa to present their unique cultural expressions. The event is more than a competition; it is a gathering that highlights the richness and diversity of the region’s heritage, aiming to foster unity and social cohesion among communities. For participants and audiences alike, it is a chance to reconnect with ancestral traditions and celebrate the living culture of Central Africa.

Where it comes from

The festival was founded in 2015 by Yoan Mboussou, inspired by the abandoned Bantu International Center of Civilizations (CICIBA), which was originally intended to promote Bantu culture globally. The creation of the tournament was also a response to the disappearance of the Festival of Cultures Gabon, with the goal of reviving cultural celebration in the country. The first edition took place in August 2016, just before a tense presidential election, with a strong desire to reinforce social cohesion in Gabon during a period of political uncertainty.

How it is celebrated

During the festival, groups from Gabon and neighboring Central African countries gather in Libreville to perform traditional dances and songs. The event is open to the public and features a lively competition among cultural groups, each presenting their distinctive styles, rhythms, and costumes. Performances are judged by a panel that includes respected figures from the traditional music scene. The atmosphere is festive, with audiences enjoying a wide range of musical traditions and dance forms, reflecting the diversity of the region. The event also includes awards for outstanding groups, fostering friendly rivalry and pride in cultural heritage.

Joining in

Visitors to Libreville in August can experience the Tournament of the Nine Provinces firsthand, with main events held at venues like the Botanical Garden and, in the past, the historic CICIBA site. Expect a welcoming environment where you can watch energetic dance competitions, listen to traditional music, and meet performers from across Central Africa. The festival offers a unique opportunity to witness the living traditions of Gabon and its neighbors in a communal, festive setting.

Sources and attribution

This page is Mela's own summary, written in new words. Its facts are drawn from the Wikipedia article Tournament of the nine provinces of Gabon, whose text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Each photo is credited to its author beside it. For the full account, read the originals below.

Read more

• Tournament of the nine provinces of Gabon on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data

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