After nearly a decade without its most treasured cultural gathering, the hills of Kedjom Keku once again echoed with the sound of flutes and drums as Kebenkendong, the village’s annual cultural festival, made a long-awaited return in 2025.
The revival of the festival followed a bold decision by His Royal Majesty Vutsiboung Benjamin Vubangsi, Fon of Kedjom Keku, at a time when public celebrations remained rare across much of the region.
The last Kebenkendong was held in 2014, before ongoing insecurity forced cultural activities into suspension and left communities fragmented and cautious.
For the Fon, restoring the festival was more than an act of celebration, it was a statement of resilience.
Preparing the Ground for Renewal
In the days leading up to the public festivities, the palace quietly hosted traditional rites led by the Fon, the Kwifon, and other custodians of custom. According to local belief, these rituals were meant to cleanse the land, restore spiritual balance, and invite peace and protection for the community.
Elders described the rites as essential groundwork, underscoring that Kebenkendong’s return was not simply ceremonial but deeply intentional, rooted in both spiritual and social renewal.
A Village Reunited
On December 28, 2025, the festival unfolded before a visibly emotional crowd. Residents who had lived away for years returned home, families reunited, and children roamed freely in scenes many described as long forgotten.
Dressed in traditional regalia, villagers gathered as flutes pierced the air and drums rolled across the landscape. The festival, held under the theme “Celebrating our roots, engaging with our future,” highlighted the importance of cultural continuity and intergenerational exchange.
Kebenkendong, often referred to as the flute dance, takes its name from the central instruments that guide its performances and rituals.
Voices of Leadership
Speaking during the celebrations, the Fon emphasized the significance of the moment.
“Our people have waited a long time for this,” he said. “This festival shows that peace, unity, and solidarity can return, even in difficult times.”
Local administrators echoed that sentiment. Mr. Nkeh Christian T., Chairman of the Kedjom Keku Village Council, praised the decision to go ahead with the event. “The people had been asking for Kebenkendong for years,” he said. “The Fon listened, and his courage has brought joy back to the village.”
As tradition demands, the Sukwe masquerades appeared early in the day, moving swiftly through the village in their distinctive leaf-covered attire, reinforcing order and respect for custom. Later, the Nkuh society took center stage, with its runners performing ritual displays and making symbolic visits to selected dignitaries moments observed in respectful silence.
Kebenkendong traditionally unfolds in two phases, with a second major dance scheduled for January 6, extending the festive season and deepening the spirit of reunion.
For Kedjom Keku, the return of Kebenkendong stands as a powerful reminder that culture can endure disruption and, when revived with purpose, can help heal a people and light the way ahead.
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