Bamenda Horse Race: A source of Happiness for NW Mbororos

By Bakah Derick

The Bamenda municipal stadium Saturday 20^th February, 2016 played host to thousands of Mbororos from across the Northwest Region. The activity that assembled them was the 2^nd edition of the Bamenda Horse Race organised by the Bamenda city Council under the patronage of Prime Minister and Head of government Philemon Yang. 

In their finest form Mbororo girls, boys, men and women answered present at the event ground as early as 8am for an event that was expected to begin at 10am and to end at 5pm. To them, time was not an issue sine horse racing was part of their cultural heritage. One of the Ardos said “we are here very early to take our places. Many people are coming and if you come late you will not have a good seat. You know that this is our culture and we must be happy to be here so as not to miss an aspect of it.” 

Though the eliminatory finally started at about 11am the Mbororo people had no reason to complain as their favourite musicians and the alakita music held up their spirit. Many in the ngandoras could be seen from time to time standing and spreading the priced outfit in joy. Some one joked “it is more than a feast day for these guys.” 

When the race finally started the ages of the jockeys became a major source of attraction. They were young yet masters of the arts as they galloped with the giant horses. The applause when louder and louder from one stage to another with spectators mostly mbororos increasing by the minute. 

Another source of attraction was a horse fantasia lead by a horse riding expert called Sariki in the Mbororo community. 

The Government Delegate to the Bamenda City Council ahead of the finals was treated to the fantasia that was a thrilling as the word. Like the Mbororos, Ndumu Vincent Nji accompanied by the City Secretary General Jude Waindim watched and clapped. 

 

At the end of the day Yaouba Jakari from Jakiri Sub division in Bui Division emerged champions. His championship title was crown with a trophy and a cash prize of FCFA 250000. The 2^nd and 3^rd place winners went away with a cash prize of FCFA 150000 and 100000 respectively. All participants backed home FCFA 25000 each while two female jockeys who registered to participate went home with FCFA 10000. 

Talking to the guardian post, Ndumu Vincent Nji thanked the Prime Minister for his sponsorship. “I wish to say that from every indication I we are thinking that we may organise this to be twice yearly and eventually monthly and why not event a weekly event. We should understand that the activity of horse racing and rearing is a speciality of the people of the Northwest. You have evidently seen what has happened. This started here in Bamenda in the 60s, grow up in the area of Kumbo, and we are taking the cue hoping that with the support of government this activity will be part and parcel of sports and leisure activity of the people of the Northwest region.”