The Association Culturelle GAMAR has announced the launch of the first edition of the Mayo-Kebbi and Tandjilé Cultural Festival, set to take place in N'Djamena from November 5 to 8, 2026. The festival aims to highlight the traditions, skills, and cultural expressions of the Mayo-Kebbi and Tandjilé communities, promoting cultural cohesion. The event is expected to bring together several communities to share their cultural heritage.
The festival's organizing committee, led by President Soutta Laurencia, presented the event's main features at a press conference on September 26, 2026, at the Centre Don Bosco in Chagoua. The festival is designed as an international market for arts, traditions, and living expressions, providing a platform for communities to showcase their cultural productions and share their heritage. Laurencia emphasized the importance of culture in promoting peace and unity in Chad.
The festival will feature four themed villages: the Village of Dances and Traditions, dedicated to choreographic expressions and traditional practices; the Gastronomic Village, which will host a cooking competition; the Village of Stories and Wisdom, designed as an intergenerational transmission space; and the Grande Scène MKT, which will host concerts, traditional wrestling, and comedy performances. The event aims to be inclusive and accessible to the public.
The organizing committee has allocated a budget of 70,192,000 FCFA for the festival, which is expected to attract various communities, including Moundang, Toupouri, Marba, and Mousseye, among others. Each community is encouraged to bring its unique identity, traditions, and skills to share with the public. The festival's program is designed to promote cultural exchange and understanding.
The Association Culturelle GAMAR is seeking partnerships to support the festival, including institutional sponsorship from the Ministry of Culture, financial support from Chadian companies, and media coverage. The organizers believe that investing in the festival is investing in social cohesion. The event is expected to contribute to the country's cultural development and promote unity among its communities.
The festival's launch is seen as a significant step towards promoting Chad's cultural diversity and richness. The event is expected to provide a platform for communities to express themselves and share their cultural heritage with a wider audience. The Association Culturelle GAMAR is committed to making the festival a success and setting a precedent for future cultural events in Chad.
With the festival's program and artist lineup already underway, the Association Culturelle GAMAR is optimistic about its success. The event is expected to attract a large audience and provide a unique cultural experience for attendees. The festival's impact is expected to be felt beyond the event itself, contributing to Chad's cultural development and promoting unity among its communities.
Key points
- The festival aims to promote cultural cohesion and unity among Chad's communities.
- The event will feature four themed villages showcasing different aspects of the Mayo-Kebbi and Tandjilé cultures.
- The festival's budget is 70,192,000 FCFA, which will be used to support the event's logistics and activities.
