Community

Bui Cameroon Toh Dance

The Nso people are descendants of Ngonso who was a woman. After making so many treaties the people of Nso finally settled in Mbo Nso. The men started groups like Manjong and others to maintain their chivalry and camaraderie. Knowing that women were the ones that fed the family, Ngonso started the Chong, and urged each woman to take upon the “grounding stone” as the sym-bol that feeds the entire family. 

Nso women became empowered by this and Chong became a “SAVINGS” house. From attending Chong, women then started ‘TOH’ which became a women’s dance performed during wedding celebrations. In those days, when a Nso woman was to be taken as a bride, they wore a “kintsee” on her head and covered her whole face so that the bridegroom cannot see the face, as is done today with a veil. The bridal convoy dances with the bride covered until she is safely escorted to her husband. 

Today the Toh dance has become the most entertaining dance of Nso women all over the world, and is performed during weddings and birth celebrations, and Conventions. The Nso people are descendants of Ngonso who was a woman. After making so many treaties the people of Nso finally settled in Mbo Nso. The men started groups like Mfu, Samba and others to maintain their chivalry and camaraderie. Knowing that women were the ones that fed the family, Ngonso started the Chong, and urged each wom-an to take upon the “grounding stone” as the symbol that feeds the entire family.

Today the Toh dance has become the most entertaining dance of Nso women all over the world, and is performed during weddings and birth celebrations, and as well as events of great import.  -Brendan Banteh   

Bui Cameroon Traditional Dance and Song

Presented by Bui Family Union

African Dance and Storytelling

Presented by Debra Leigh and Danielle Daniel

African Arts: Cultural & Religious Influences

Presented by Jan-Lodewijk Grootaers