The rhythmic beat of traditional drums echoed through St. Paul's Parish Ntakikah on Sunday, June 21, 2026, as men and women clad in colourful traditional regalia gathered from across the Catholic Archdiocese of Bamenda.

Mr Willy (with the Samba knife) and Taa gweh (a Samba jester)

They had come for the Archdiocesan meeting of Samba wo Churr Lamnso, that is the Samba of the Church.

At first glance, the gathering appeared similar to the revered Samba institution found in Nso tradition. Yet beneath the traditional attire, songs and ceremonial order was something distinctly different. It was a prayer and action movement that is transforming culture into a vehicle for evangelisation.

Inspired by the traditional men's institution of Nso land, Samba wo Churr has become one of the Catholic Church's most visible expressions of inculturation, demonstrating that African cultural identity and Christian faith can strengthen rather than oppose one another.

A movement born from inculturation

The origins of Samba wo Churr can be traced to All Saints Parish Bayelle, where a group of young Catholics sought to create a space that would allow them to celebrate their culture within the life of the Church.

Shey Wo Ngaay Fonyuy Leonard, taking part in a Samba dance session

According to veteran member , the initiative began with the approval of the late Rev. Fr. Cosmos Ndang.

"The first Samba in the Archdiocese of Bamenda existed in All Saints Parish Bayelle... It was started by young people who wanted to promote culture and inculturation within the Church." Shey wo Ngaay recalled.

What began as a local initiative quickly spread to other parishes as members from Bayelle travelled to assist in establishing new groups.

The movement received further encouragement under Archbishop Andrew Nkea, whose emphasis on inculturation helped accelerate its growth across the archdiocese.

Samba member leading others for offertory with their symbol in Church

Today, Samba wo Churr is present in thirteen parishes, with more communities expressing interest.

Borrowing the Archbishop's own assessment, Shey wo Ngaay Fonyuy describes it as "the fastest-growing prayer and action group in the Archdiocese of Bamenda."

While Samba wo Churr borrows its structure and symbolism from the traditional Samba institution, members insist the similarities end where Christian teaching begins.

Dr. Desmond Suiru, one of the group's committed members, says his decision to join was driven by a desire to live his culture authentically while remaining faithful to Christ.

"I thought Samba was a way I could live my culture in a Christian way," he said.

Dr. Desmond Suiru, in full Samba attire set for the meeting

For him, the distinction between the traditional and church versions of Samba is clear.

"There is no blood above the blood of Jesus Christ, You can bring culture to God for purification, but you cannot drag God into practices that are contrary to Christian teaching." he explained.

He describes Samba wo Churr as "a refinement of the cultural Samba."

That vision reflects a broader conviction shared by members that Christianity does not require Africans to abandon their identity.

"The message of Jesus did not come to make us Europeans, Jesus is for all cultures. We can live our Christian lives fully as Africans." Dr. Desmond Suiru said.

Turning culture into evangelisation

For members, Samba wo Churr their primary mission is evangelisation.

Through its activities, the group encourages men to participate actively in parish life, receive the sacraments and deepen their commitment to the Church.

Shey Leonard says the movement has encouraged many members to embrace baptism, confirmation and Christian marriage while becoming more engaged in their local faith communities.

"It has helped people who thought the Church did not offer anything that resembled them.. Now they see their culture reflected in worship and in the life of the Church." he said

Samba members in Church

The movement has also become a platform for transmitting cultural knowledge to younger generations.

Through Samba, many young men and women are learning about traditional leadership structures, customs and values that might otherwise disappear.

"Coming to Samba helped me understand aspects of our cultural setting that I did not know before," Shey wo Ngaay said.

In that sense, Samba wo Churr serves as both a school of faith and a school of culture.

Guided by the Cross

Unlike the traditional Samba, whose authority is rooted in customary structures, Samba wo Churr operates under the authority of the Church.

Shey wo Ngaay explains that its guiding symbol is the Cross.

"In the Church Samba, we begin with prayer and our inspiration comes from the Bible, the symbol of authority is the Cross." he said.

The Cross at the center of the Samba meeting all

The movement functions under the authority of parish priests at the local level and ultimately under the Archbishop at the Archdiocesan level.

Every activity, members insist, must remain consistent with Catholic teaching.

Yet the movement remains open and welcoming. While full membership is reserved for practising Catholics, people from other Christian denominations often participate as honorary members.

What started as an initiative inspired by Nso culture has also attracted members from Kom, Mankon, Bafut, the South West Region and Francophone communities.

"Samba is for everybody," Shey wo Ngaay said.

The courage to witness

The spiritual foundation of the movement was reflected in the homily delivered during the gathering by the Archdiocesan Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Ignatius Berily.

Reflecting on the Gospel of the day, Fr. Berily centred his message on Christ's repeated instruction: "Do not be afraid."

Archdiocesan Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Ignatius Berily.

Addressing members of Samba wo Churr, he challenged them to become courageous witnesses of the faith.

"The words 'Do not be afraid' occur throughout Scripture.. God assures us every day that He is with us." he reminded the congregation.

Drawing inspiration from saints and martyrs who remained faithful in the face of persecution, he urged members not to be afraid to stand for Christ, speak the truth and live their faith openly.

He also connected the message to the patron saint of Samba wo Churr, St. Francis Xavier, whose missionary zeal carried the Gospel across cultures and continents.

For Rev Fr. Berily, the mission of Samba wo Churr is rooted in that same spirit of courageous evangelisation.

Building a larger family

According to Dr Desmond Suiru, culture is not an obstacle to faith.

Rather, when purified and illuminated by the Gospel, it can become a powerful instrument for proclaiming Christ.

Members describe Samba wo Churr as a family that transcends ethnic, linguistic and social boundaries while remaining deeply rooted in local identity.

A group picture of Samba members and their chaplain at St Paul's Parish

As the movement continues to expand across the Archdiocese of Bamenda, it offers a model of how the Church can engage culture without compromising doctrine and how tradition can become a bridge rather than a barrier to evangelisation.

In the words often repeated by members in honour of their patron saint:

"Saint Francis Xavier, Knight of Christ, pray for us."

For the men and women of Samba wo Churr, that prayer captures their mission perfectly which is to remain proud custodians of their heritage while becoming fearless ambassadors of the Gospel.

By Bakah Derick for Hilltopvoices Web

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