Features

FOUMBAN, Cameroon — Chatter muffled as members of a secret society, masked and garbed in honey-coloured robes, entered the court of Foumban, the historic capital of a centuries-old kingdom nestled in hilly north-western Cameroon.

The 20th king of the Bamoun people, Mouhammad Nabil Mfourifoum Mbombo Njoya, stood up from his ornate throne -- a replica of the original, now at a German museum -- for the ancient ritual to get under way.

The nearly 600-year-old tradition sees him put on public trial over his governance -- with local chiefs reading out indictments destined to put his popularity to the test.

The tradition is part of a set of rituals taking place over a week in a bid to promote dialogue, harmony and peace.

The ceremony is a first for Mbombo Njoya, 31, who took over the throne after his father died in 2021.

If deemed to have failed, the monarch could be fined or removed from office. But if he succeeds, he is granted a new mandate and allegiance.

Tourists and officials last week flocked to the remote, grassy region of the West African country to attend Nguon, a set of royal rituals that date back to 1384, when the kingdom was founded.

The rites, which are followed by celebrations, had not taken place in six years due to the Covid-19 pandemic and other factors, but were recognised in December 2023 by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage.

The Bamoun territory, which is home to the ethnic group of the same name, is one of the oldest traditional kingdoms in sub-Saharan Africa.

Grievances 

Constituents of the brotherhood shrouded in secrecy planted their spears into the ground as the young ruler braced for his people's opinions and grievances.

"Your Majesty, the people are very preoccupied with the dilapidation of the kingdom's property assets," a Bamoun lawmaker told his monarch before the attentive crowd.

"So far there is only one queen by the king's side in the court," said another parliamentary, as laughter and clapping broke out.

But the king survived the session and earned the approval of his people.

Warriors and members of the royal guard fired their rifles into the air in celebration.

'Role reversal'

"I really enjoyed how there is this role reversal and he is judged by his people. I thought it was just going to be a pretend judgment but the judgment was really severe, I was surprised," said Roly Allen, a 46-year-old businessman who travelled from London to attend.

"There was a lot of good humour and I thought it really demonstrates a real love between the kingdom and the king," said the British tourist, proudly boasting a traditional Bamoun headdress.

For some locals, the ritual is an important occasion to connect with their culture.

"I am very proud to be Bamoun, these are moments that allow us to learn about our culture and pass it on to our children," said Amadou Njoya, a 21-year-old native of Foumban.

Cameroon's 270 ethnic groups, with various customs and languages, are organised into more than 80 kingdoms and sultanates.

The importance of customary law and the sense of belonging to these chiefdoms have withstood the test of time and remain key parts of the lives of many of Cameroon's 28 million people.

"The first Nguon of the 20th king was an event not to be missed," said Mariam Poughouo, a Bamoun company manager based in France.

Poughouo, who is passionate about tradition, described the king as "a great fighter who fights for the preservation of culture".

Yet, the chiefdom is still missing its original throne, said Hamidou Ntieche, an elderly village chief in Bamoun territory.

'Lobbying' for throne 

Like many African cultural antiques, the treasured artefact was taken to Europe under unclear circumstances during the colonisation of Cameroon.

The colourful, pearl-inlaid wooden chair is now exhibited at the Humboldt Forum Museum in Berlin, after its transfer during the Germany colonial period in Cameroon.

The monarch visited it last year -- and sat on the heirloom that once belonged to his great-grandfather.

But the Bamoun people are attempting to recover the original, Azize Mbouho, the Bamoun palace's communications advisor, told AFP.

In April, the royal family inaugurated the spacious Museum of the Bamoun Kings, a building shaped like its imposing coat of arms -- a two-headed snake and a furry spider -- and designed to house thousands of objects spotlighting its rich heritage.

Alexis Njivah Mouliom, general secretary of the Nguon foundation, hopes that becoming UNESCO-listed can bring "publicity" to the Bamoun community and "strengthen lobbying for the return of the throne".

PARIS — Oscar-winning director Barry Jenkins says he nearly turned down the chance to direct Disney's new blockbuster, a prequel to "The Lion King", before realising it contained many of the themes that helped make his name.

Only when his agents insisted he read the script did he accept the role for "Mufasa: The Lion King", which hits screens next week in the United States and Europe.

At first sight, it seems a far cry from the poignant drama of "Moonlight", his triple Oscar-winning 2016 breakthrough exploring identity, race and poverty, but he says it's not as far as it seems.

"It wasn't until I read the script that I realised," he told AFP in a pre-release interview. "There were so many of the themes, so many of the character dynamics, so much of the journey that felt directly related to all the things I've been doing."

The ultra-realist animation, which will be available in 3D, tells the origin story of Mufasa, father of Simba, the cub star of the 1994 film.

As a young lion, Mufasa finds himself alone and separated from his parents before being adopted by the family of Taka, the compassionate heir of a different pride.

"In the first film, it's about family dynamics and this sort of thing, like revenge and betrayal," explained Jenkins.

"This film is about those things as well... But it's also about how the quality of parenting, the nature of parenting, this idea of nature versus nurture, how those things can impact so much."

He uses the example of Taka who becomes Scar, the infamous villain of the first film.

"Villains aren't really born. They're kind of created out of circumstances," Jenkins said.

Family dynamics 

Parenting and the emotional complexity wrought by a troubled childhood are intensely personal subjects for the 45-year-old Miami native, who grew up in the same crime-infested neighbourhood that is the setting for "Moonlight".

He never knew his father and his mother was addicted to crack cocaine, meaning he was brought up largely by a surrogate grandmother figure.

"I didn't realise it when I started the film. But at some point during making it, I did realise that there were quite a few similarities [with my own life]," he explained.

He says he's built his own family out of the cinematographers, editors, producers and fellow film school students he's known for the last 25 years.

"They've become my family... That's a family that I've created, not a family I was born with. And this family has changed my life," he said.

The original Lion King is one of the best-known films in cinema history and also one of all-time biggest successes at the box office, with worldwide sales of nearly a billion dollars, according to the IMBD website.

The prequel features voices by British actor Aaron Pierre as Mufasa and Kelvin Harrison Jr as Taka.

Beyonce has a minor role voicing the Nala character, while her daughter Blue Ivy Carter makes her feature film debut as the voice of Simba's daughter, Kiara.

LONDON — US tech titan Amazon has agreed to develop films and TV series based on tabletop game Warhammer 40,000, its British owner announced on Tuesday.

Games Workshop and Amazon have agreed upon "creative guidelines" for the projects, in a deal that gives the latter exclusive rights for any film or television series based on the futuristic fantasy universe.

No financial details were disclosed, with the announcement coming after Games Workshop's value soared this year, allowing the company to soon join London's top-tier stocks index, the FTSE 100.

The deal also gives the US e-commerce giant merchandising rights, and the option to develop Games Workshop's other Warhammer universes, including ones based on mediaeval times.

"This could be extremely lucrative for the brand," noted Kathleen Brooks, research director at trading group XTB.

"The miniatures maker is already bigger than the likes of Burberry and EasyJet," she added.

The games company is worth about £4.7 billion ($6 billion), with its share price soaring more than 40 per cent this year.

Global interest in its miniature fantasy figurines has soared as consumers feast on fantasy shows such as Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones.

"Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2" -- a video game developed by publisher Focus -- has attracted 4.5 million players, making it one of the biggest products of its kind this year.

Founded in 1975 by three gaming enthusiasts, Games Workshop designs its figurines at the company's headquarters in the city of Nottingham, central England.

DUBAI — The iconic annual Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) is gearing up for its monumental 30th anniversary, promising to be the city’s biggest, most memorable celebration yet.

This groundbreaking three-decade milestone will put out all the stops to deliver an awe-inspiring combination of cutting-edge technology, sensory immersion, and innovative storytelling to redefine live entertainment. 

For 38 non-stop days from December 6, 2024 to January 12, 2025, Dubai will become a breathtaking canvas of light, colour and sound, featuring free daily fireworks, twice daily state-of-the-art drone shows free-to-watch for everyone, the launch of DSF’s first-ever pyro-drone (fireworks with drones) spectacle, and one-of-a-kind Dubai Lightscitywide installations that promises to captivate audiences like never before. 

This year, the DSF drones show presented by Emarat returns bigger and more thrilling than ever, with twice-daily performances at 8pm and 10pm at Bluewaters Island and The Beach, JBR. In celebration of the most exciting, awe-inspiring and unforgettable tribute to three decades of DSF, this edition promises to be the most ambitious yet, featuring a fleet of 1,000 drones delivering breathtaking visuals and intricate formations.

In line with the 30th anniversary, this year’s drone show unveils two mesmerising themes that commemorate Dubai’s rich heritage and bold vision for the future. From December 6 to 26, the first show celebrates DSF’s remarkable legacy, taking audiences on a journey through three decades of unforgettable moments with vibrant visuals and stunning drone choreography. This theme will encompass a groundbreaking, one-of-a-kind display where the skies will light up with a spectacular scannable QR code from 6 to 12 December, which guests can use to send a personalised message that will then be brought to life through cutting-edge drone technology on 13 December.

Meanwhile, the second drones theme from December 27 to January 12 will transition to a dynamic celebration of Dubai itself. Merging tradition and modernity, this performance showcases 2D and 3D drone formations of iconic landmarks, set to powerful beats and innovative soundscapes.

Exclusive technology-driven sky spectacle will continue in the second weekend of DSF, with groundbreaking pyro drone shows that will light up the skies with 150 pyro drones above Bluewaters and The Beach, JBR on December 13 at 8pm with skydivers and 150 pyro drones again at 10pm. An encore of 150 pyro-drone displays will dazzle audiences on the DSF closing weekend on January, 11 2025.

Adding to the festivities, Dubai’s skyline will sparkle every night with free daily fireworks by Al Zarooni Group at Dubai Festival City Mall at 9:15pm and twice-weekly displays over Hatta on the weekends at 8pm, creating unforgettable moments for visitors across the emirate.

A mesmerising celebration of art and innovation will continue with Dubai Lights, returning to DSF to transform iconic locations across Dubai with cutting-edge technology, immersive visual projections, interactive inflatables and breathtaking installations. Featuring contributions from international and local artists, it offers a dynamic and futuristic experience that celebrates the five elements - Water, Air, Fire, Energy, and Connection. Spanning multiple key locations including Bluewaters Island, Al Seef, Dubai Design District, Al Marmoom, Kite Beach, and City Walk, as well as DSF signature events like 321 Festival and DSF x Hatta, the installations blend artistic innovation with interactive experiences for visitors to discover, explore, and share with others.

DSF’s awe-inspiring entertainment programme this year is a tribute to the festival’s three-decades-long legacy of bringing endless innovation, joy and community spirit to the city.

Dubai Shopping Festival is supported by Key Partner VISA Dubai Islamic Bank and Strategic Partners which include: Al Futtaim Malls (Dubai Festival City Mall & Festival Plaza), Al Zarooni Group (Mercato Shopping Mall), AW Rostamani Group, DHAM (Al Seef, Bluewaters, Ibn Battuta Mall, Nakheel Mall, and The Outlet Village), Emirates Airline, ENOC, e&, Majid Al Futtaim (Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Mirdif, City Centre Deira), Merex Investment (City Walk and The Beach, JBR) and talabat.

WASHINGTON — Ruby slippers worn by actor Judy Garland in "The Wizard of Oz" went under the hammer on Saturday, and the winning price was over the rainbow, a record $32.5 million, the auction house said.

The shimmery shoes, among the most famous pairs of footwear ever, soared past the pre-auction estimate of $3 million within moments and by the time the bidding war was complete they had become the most valuable movie memorabilia ever sold at auction, according to Heritage Auctions which oversaw the dramatic sale in Dallas, Texas.

The final bid was $28 million, with taxes and fees pushing the cost to $32.5 million, Heritage Auctions said.

The entire haul for the Hollywood/Entertainment Signature Auction, which also featured the sale of the Wicked Witch's black hat for $2.9 million, set a new record of $38.6 million for an entertainment auction.

But it was the sequin-covered pumps, one of four surviving ruby pairs worn in the 1939 cult classic, that stole the show in Texas, as expected.

"There is simply no comparison between Judy Garland's Ruby Slippers and any other piece of Hollywood memorabilia," Heritage Auctions Executive Vice President Joe Maddalena said in a statement.

"The breathtaking result reflects just how important movies and movie memorabilia are to our culture and to collectors."

Stolen slippers

The shoes that sold on Saturday have a storied history. They were not just the ones on Dorothy when she began her adventure in Oz, or when she clicked her heels to go home to Kansas: they were stolen nearly 20 years ago.

The shoes, created by MGM Studios chief costume designer at the time, Gilbert Adrian, had belonged to a collector since 1970. They were kept in the Judy Garland Museum in her hometown of Grand Rapids, Minnesota, until they mysteriously disappeared in 2005.

Despite a six-figure reward and the involvement of the FBI, it was not until 2018 that they were finally tracked down.

The perpetrator of the theft, Terry Martin, admitted taking them and said he did so because he believed they were encrusted with real rubies.

Heritage Auctions said the 77-year-old Martin, who confessed in court documents last year to stealing the ruby slippers, had wanted to pull off "one last score." He was given a suspended prison sentence in January.

One pair of ruby slippers was sold in 2012 to Hollywood legends Steven Spielberg and Leonardo DiCaprio, who donated them to the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles.

Another resides at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, in Washington, while the fourth pair sold in 2000 for $666,000.

Other memorabilia from "The Wizard of Oz" was also on sale, including Garland's wigs, film posters and photographs, as well as other items such as a wooden game board from "Jumanji" starring Robin Williams.

LONDON — The third season of HBO's hit TV series "The White Lotus" will premiere in February, followed months later by the second instalment of "The Last of Us", Warner Bros. Discovery said on Thursday.

Unveiling its upcoming global programming slate, HBO and Max streaming service CEO Casey Bloys also confirmed the much-anticipated "Game of Thrones" prequel, "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms", is set for release later next year.

Beyond that, the first "Harry Potter" television series, announced last year and currently in casting, is scheduled to start filming in mid-2025 at Warner Bros.'s Leavesden studios in the UK, Bloys said.

With the mega-selling books' author JK Rowling among its executive producers, it is envisaged as "a decade-long series" featuring a new cast from the films.

"Succession" director and executive producer Mark Mylod revealed at the London announcement event that the casting team were currently reviewing 32,000 submissions for kids' roles.

"We will watch every one," Mylod said, adding the team were currently reviewing between 500 and 1,000 tapes daily. They then hope to "workshop with some of our shortlisted candidates" in January.

He noted they took following the "extraordinary actors" from the films "incredibly seriously".

"But we do follow the ethos of the films in searching out the cream of British acting talent, not necessarily the biggest stars," he added.

Asked if he was worried her involvement in the production could prove problematic, Bloys said he was "not concerned".

'Resonate'

Award-winning dark comedy "The White Lotus" is this time set in Thailand, with singer Lisa of megastar K-pop girl group BLACKPINK among the cast, alongside veteran Hollywood star Scott Glenn.

Meanwhile post-apocalyptic drama "The Last of Us", starring Pedro Pascal, picks up where the acclaimed first season released last year ended.

Joined by actor-turned-executive producer Salma Hayek, Bloys also announced that Max has commissioned a second season of HBO's current Spanish-language hit "Like Water for Chocolate".

Based on the best-selling 1989 novel of the same name by Mexican author Laura Esquivel, it has been among the most-watched series on the platform following its release last month.

"It's been incredible to see such an important Mexican story resonate with audiences around the world," Hayek said.

"We are thrilled to confirm a second season of 'Like Water for Chocolate' and are looking forward to giving closure to such a strong and powerful story."

Bloys said Max was moving beyond what some have called "patchy" programming across the industry following the Hollywood strikes and COVID-19 pandemic.

"I believe we're past all of that, starting in [20]25 for the next two years, we've got a very robust slate," he added.

Max, which streams its own original shows and big-budget HBO titles as well as Warner Bros. films and other content, is available in the United States, some Latin American and European countries and parts of Asia.

It is set to expand to other countries, including the UK and Australia, in the coming years, with a focus on original local programming.

Following the recent success of its first scripted series in France, "The Confidante", it will launch several new French-language shows on the platform next year.

They include a reimagining of "Dangerous Liaisons", Pierre Choderlos de Laclos's classic novel, which will be called "The Seduction" outside of France and stars Diane Kruger.

"It was time for a re-telling," she said during a brief appearance at the London event. "It's an interesting take on the story."

OSTROZAC, Bosnia and Herzegovina — Staring across what was once one of Bosnia's largest expanses of water, all that Saliha Kuljanin can see is boats left high and dry after months of drought emptied Lake Jablanicko.

"The climate has certainly changed, but this is scary!" Kuljanin, 68, told AFP near the lake's receding shores in southern Bosnia.

For years, the village of Ostrozac, where Kuljanin lives, had profited from the tourists attracted by Jablanicko's emerald waters.

But the rain has dried up this year and its water levels have plummeted.

Every year as the summer ends, water is gradually released from the 30-kilometre (long lake so that the autumn rains can be absorbed.

"Its levels vary a little -- it goes down and up. But now, I don't know what's going on," said Kuljanin, pointing to the beached boats far from the remaining sliver of water left in the area.

Bosnia may be one of Europe's poorest countries but it has long been rich in one resource: water.

The World Bank estimates Bosnia's resources of renewable fresh water at nearly 10 cubic metres per person per year.

Some of Europe's most pristine rivers run through the country's rugged terrain, making it a paradise for rafters, kayakers and other outdoor enthusiasts.

But the lack of rainfall this year has changed the equation. "The drought has been truly catastrophic," Kuljanin said.

Further upstream, the lake has completely dried out.

The lack of water has also complicated operations for a nearby power plant that relies on the lake's dam for energy.

Landslides 

"The year 2024 was exceptionally bad for the functioning of the power plants," said Fahrudin Tanovic, an executive at public power company Elektroprivreda BiH.

"As last winter there was no snow, the inflow of water into the lake in spring was perhaps at the lowest level since its existence."

Thermal power plants still produce much of Bosnia's power, accounting for between 55 and 70 per cent of the country's electricity at any time, according to the statistics office.

Hydroelectric plants produce most of the remaining power, with just four percent coming from solar or wind.

The drought has made nearby areas more susceptible to landslides, as the soil dries out and loosens.

In the nearby Jablanica area, at least 27 people were killed by sudden heavy rains in October that flooded towns and triggered landslides.

Scientists warn that climate change is making extreme weather events more frequent.

PARIS — The UN's cultural organisation added Aleppo's famous soap to its intangible cultural heritage list on Tuesday with Syria's second city again wracked by war.

Artisans have brewed olive and laurel oil in large pots for some 3,000 years in the city -- which fell to Islamist-led rebels last week -- allowing the mixture to cool before cutting it into blocks, and stamping them by hand.

Aleppo soap joins the city's traditional music, Al Qudoud Al Halabiya, on UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage, while the city itself -- declared a world heritage site in 1986 -- was added to the organisation's endangered list in 2013 amid the country's civil war.

Makers craft the product using "traditional knowledge and skills", said UNESCO, adding they rely on a mix of natural, locally produced ingredients and a drying process that can take up to nine months.

Aleppo had been slowly recovering from the wounds inflicted by more than a decade of civil war when Islamist-led rebels captured the city last week in a shock offensive that put forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar Assad to flight.

Of the 100 soap factories in the city only about 10 remain, with many having relocated to Damascus or neighbouring Turkey.

But the soap remains essential to the families and communities involved in the trade.

"The collaborative production process promotes community and family unity," said UNESCO.

PARIS — Notre Dame Cathedral will reopen in Paris on Saturday with incoming US president Donald Trump set to attend the ceremony marking the resurrection of the Gothic masterpiece five years after a devastating fire.

The Republican confirmed on Monday he had accepted an invitation from French President Emmanuel Macron to attend the grand re-opening of the 850-year-old edifice which was nearly lost to flames in April 2019.

It will be Trump's first foreign trip since his re-election last month in a political comeback that has set off alarm bells in much of Europe, including in France where Macron regularly tussled with the New York real estate tycoon during his first term.

Trump posted on his Truth Social website that Macron had "done a wonderful job ensuring that Notre Dame has been restored to its full level of glory, and even more so. It will be a very special day for all!"

The presence of Trump is likely to encourage other world political leaders to attend as they seek to build relations and head off possible disputes over trade and defence before his January 20 inauguration.

After Trump first took office in 2017, his relations with Macron -- then also a fresh new face on the world stage -- had the initial makings of a "bromance".

Their long and muscular handshakes -- which saw each man seek to assert his superiority -- became a light-hearted focus of attention before ties cooled, then soured, following disputes about climate change, trade and defence.

Trump publicly mocked Macron's "very low approval rating" and even aimed a jibe at France's war history after a rancorous 2018 trip to the country.

Macron's current political problems, with his latest government likely to fall this week and the parliament deadlocked, risk overshadowing Saturday's ceremony which the French leader hoped to present as a moment of national and personal triumph.

'Sublime' 

Parisians watched in horror in 2019 as flames ravaged the world heritage landmark, famed as the setting for Victor Hugo's novel "The Hunchback of Notre Dame", and toppled its spire.

The apocalyptic images were even seen by some as a sign of the demise of Western civilisation, with the edifice saved from complete collapse only by the heroic intervention of Parisian firefighters.

Tweeting as the blaze took place, Trump suggested that "perhaps flying water tankers could be used to put it out", leading irritated French fire chiefs to dismiss the suggestion as "risible" and almost certain to devastate what remained of the building.

Some 250 companies and hundreds of experts were brought in to restore the destroyed artwork, blackened walls and damaged facilities at a cost of 700 million euros ($750 million).

During a visit to inspect their work last Friday, Macron praised them for achieving the "impossible" by healing a "national wound".

Accompanied by Paris' archbishop Laurent Ulrich and top city politicians, he gazed at the restored pale-coloured stonework in the nave and praised the edifice as "much more welcoming" and "sublime".

Politics and diplomacy 

Saturday's ceremony is set to mix public celebration, politics, diplomacy and religion.

Macron is due to deliver a speech in front of the cathedral with around 50 heads of state and government set to attend, according to his office.

Pope Francis will not attend to the surprise of some observers, with the head of the Catholic church opting not to break off from his weekend trip to the French island of Corsica.

After Macron's speech in front of a crowd of a maximum 3,000 people, VIPs will be invited to inspect the monument and witness the rebirth of its restored Grand Organ, the largest in France with nearly 8,000 pipes.

A public area with capacity for 40,000 people will be created on the bank of the river Seine opposite Notre Dame, while a concert featuring the Notre Dame choir, the Radio France philharmonic orchestra and French singers will be broadcast on national radio and television.

There are unconfirmed rumours that Pharrell Williams will perform and offer some international stardust.

Around 6,000 police officers are expected to be on duty to ensure security.