Harnessing Cultural Attractions for Sustainable Development in Mezam Division, North West Region of Cameroon


Authors : Neba Yvette Akwa; Prisca Ntemngweh; Chenwi Neba Cyril

Volume/Issue : Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 5 - May


Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/y394j8a8

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25may951

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.


Abstract : This article examines cultural attractions in Mezam Division and their potential contributions to sustainable development. Through a comprehensive analysis of the area’s rich cultural heritage, including arts and craft(gastronomy), traditional manifestations (annual festivals), architecture, and natural landscapes, the study explore how these assets can be strategically harnessed to promote economic, social and environmental sustainability. The research made use of a mixed- methods approach including surveys, field observations and in-depth interviews to assess the current status of cultural attractions and their potential role in sustainable development. A stratified purposeful sampling technique was used to select 95 respondents. The findings reveal that Mezam Division is endowed with diverse cultural attractions which offer significant opportunities in fostering sustainable development in the area. However, these potentials remain underutilized to fully address sustainability issues. There is therefore, a need for strategic interventions in order to effectively harness cultural attractions for sustainable development in Mezam Division.

Keywords : Sustainable Development, Cultural Attractions, Mezam Division, Heritage, Tradition.

References :

  1. Fubah, M.A., (2016). Modern museums in the palaces of Western Grassfield Cameroon. International Journal of African Renaissance Studies-Multi, Inter and Transdisciplinarity, 11(1), 84-102.
  2. Kimengsi, J.N &Lum, E.A(2018). An Analysis of potential development implication of cultural tourism in North West, Cameroon. Unique Canadian Journal of Tropical Geography.www3.laurentian.Ca, [Accessed 04.06 2020].
  3. Kum, V.N., (2020). Option for a national culture symbolof Cameroon: Can the Bamenda Grassfields traditional Dress fit? EAS Journal of Humanities and cultural studies. East African Scholars Publisher, Kenya.
  4. Lavachery, P. (2001). Wide Bantu Homeland Project (Cameroon 1991 - 1994), African Archaeological Review 18(4):213-247,Service Public de Wallonie
  5. Mawana, M. F. (2008). Ecotoursim in Bafut Sub-division, NWP. Cameroon, Unpublished Thesis, Department of Geography, University of Yaounde I.
  6. Mforbin, J.N. (2016). The customs and traditions of Bafut, pp 30 Presbook Plc. Limbe.
  7. Moffor, E.T. (2022). People in receptacles: case of the indigenous basket of the Bamenda Grassfields of Cameroon. Published article, University of Yaounde I: International journal of Education and Social Science Research ISSN 2581-5148.
  8. Nakibondwe. M., (2019). Opportunities for the Development of Cultural Tourism in Jinja Municipality. Degree of Tourism of Makerere University.
  9. UNESCO (2002). Teaching and learning for sustainable future-A multimedia teacher education program. Retrieved June 13, 2018, http://portal.unesco.org/Fr/ev.php URL_ID=3994 and URL _Do_Topic and URL Section=201.html.
  10. Ioan Franc, Valeriu & Istoc, Elena Manuela, 2007. "Cultural Tourism and Sustainable Development," Journal for Economic Forecasting, Institute for Economic Forecasting, vol. 4(1), pages 89-96, March, https://ideas.repec.org/a/rjr/romjef/v4y2007i1p89-96.html

This article examines cultural attractions in Mezam Division and their potential contributions to sustainable development. Through a comprehensive analysis of the area’s rich cultural heritage, including arts and craft(gastronomy), traditional manifestations (annual festivals), architecture, and natural landscapes, the study explore how these assets can be strategically harnessed to promote economic, social and environmental sustainability. The research made use of a mixed- methods approach including surveys, field observations and in-depth interviews to assess the current status of cultural attractions and their potential role in sustainable development. A stratified purposeful sampling technique was used to select 95 respondents. The findings reveal that Mezam Division is endowed with diverse cultural attractions which offer significant opportunities in fostering sustainable development in the area. However, these potentials remain underutilized to fully address sustainability issues. There is therefore, a need for strategic interventions in order to effectively harness cultural attractions for sustainable development in Mezam Division.

Keywords : Sustainable Development, Cultural Attractions, Mezam Division, Heritage, Tradition.

Never miss an update from Papermashup

Get notified about the latest tutorials and downloads.

Subscribe by Email

Get alerts directly into your inbox after each post and stay updated.
Subscribe
OR

Subscribe by RSS

Add our RSS to your feedreader to get regular updates from us.
Subscribe