A home for Nkwen culture
across America.
Across the United States, NCDA-USA promotes and preserves Nkwen culture through gatherings, outreach, and support for our people at home and in the Diaspora.
The association at a glance
One family, many living traditions.
National Event
Silver Jubilee
Convention
The landmark 25th anniversary gathering of all Nkwen sons and daughters — a homecoming for the Diaspora.
Member
Heritage Preservation
Language, dance, regalia, and the wisdom of the Bamenda Grassfields — archived for the next generation.
Community
We gather, celebrate, and stand with one another in moments of joy and need.
Education
We invest in scholarships and learning that lift up the next generation of Nkwen.
Culture
We carry forward our language, dance, and traditions — proudly, here in America.
Our impact
A quarter century of community in motion.
Every number below is a name, a family, a story carried forward by Nkwen sons and daughters across America.
What we do
Twelve programs.
One village.
The GCE Scholarship Board. The Annual Convention. Mehnkwen language classes. Tutoring and college prep. The Nkwen Water Project. Bereavement mutual aid. Women's and youth circles. Newcomer welcome. Health briefings — and more.
See all programsOur chapters
Six branches. One Nkwen family.
Find the chapter closest to you — or to where your story began.
Active NCDA-USA chapter
What's happening
Upcoming gatherings
July 16, 2026
NCDA-USA Convention 2026 — Cultural Jamboree
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Convention
NCDA-USA Convention 2026 — Cultural Jamboree
Crowne Plaza Hotel · 6400 Ivy Lane, Greenbelt, MD 20770
Our flagship four-day gathering. Sons and daughters of Nkwen from across the United States come together to celebrate culture, advance development projects in Nkwen, and welcome the cultural and ceremonial leadership of His Royal Majesty Fon Azehfor III, who will preside and deliver the keynote on Friday, July 17. Each chapter prepares a cultural performance for Jamboree night. The drums are beating, the horns are sounding, and the land is calling.
July 22, 2026
Royal Visit — Michigan Community Reception & Heritage Preservation Town Hall
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Royal Visit
Royal Visit — Michigan Community Reception & Heritage Preservation Town Hall
Hyatt Regency Detroit (delegation lodging) · Town hall venue announced soon
His Royal Majesty Fon Azehfor III visits the Nkwen community of Michigan for a cultural reception and a town hall on heritage preservation — a centerpiece of our 25th anniversary year. Open to NCDA-Michigan members and Nkwen sons and daughters across the Midwest.
August 1, 2026
NCDA-USA 25th Anniversary Celebration — True Heroes of Nkwen Gala
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Gala
NCDA-USA 25th Anniversary Celebration — True Heroes of Nkwen Gala
Hilton Los Angeles Airport (LAX) · Los Angeles, California
A milestone gala honoring three distinguished sons of Nkwen as 'True Heroes of Nkwen' for their decades of service to community, healthcare, and education: Dr. Mal Fobi, Dr. Tony Ndifor, and Mr. Martin Asang. His Royal Majesty Fon Azehfor III will be the Guest of Honor. The capstone celebration of our 25 years of service.
NCDA-USA National Convention — DMV 2026
"Together We Are Stronger"
Five days of fellowship, culture, faith, and celebration — bringing Nkwen sons, daughters, and friends together from across the United States. From the Cultural Jamboree to a lunch cruise on the Potomac and our Sunday Sports & BBQ Festival, this is a homecoming you won't want to miss.
Countdown to opening
Learn Our Mother Tongue
Learn Nkwen — One Word at a Time.
Greetings, numbers, family, everyday words. Free for every member of the Nkwen family across the diaspora.
Our story
Carrying Nkwen forward, together.
Founded in 2001 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, NCDA-USA brings Nkwen sons and daughters together across the United States to celebrate culture, support one another, and invest in our community — at home and abroad.
"The drums are beating, the horns are sounding, and the land is calling."Read our story
Help us build what's next.
To our leaders, volunteers, elders, youths, and friends — your time, ideas, and support give real meaning to our mission and help secure a better future for our children. Every gift becomes a scholarship, a cultural festival, or a hand extended to a Nkwen family in need.
DonateFrom the cultural night
The hall stood still when the drums began.
Moments captured from a recent gathering — regalia in full bloom, elders at the high table, and a chief addressing his people. This is what NCDA-USA looks like when the diaspora comes home.
In pictures
Moments from our gatherings
Drum, dance, regalia, and reunion — the rhythms that carry Nkwen forward in America.
Stay close to home.
Quarterly updates from your chapter and the national association.
Mehnkwen · Speak our language
Carry a piece of home in your pocket
A few words of Nkwen, ready to greet an elder, bless a friend, or open a meeting. Tap any card to flip it.
- Greeting
Mbɔ́ŋò
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Greeting
Hello / Greetings
Say it: em-BONG-oh
The common greeting used when meeting another Nkwen person.
↺ Tap again to flip back
- Everyday
Wèʼ kɨ̀ kə̀?
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Everyday
How are you?
Say it: WEH kee KUH
A warm check-in between friends and kin.
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- Family
Tà
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Family
Father
Say it: TAH
Also used as a respectful title for an elder.
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- Family
Bə̀ŋə̀ bə̀ Nkwèn
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Family
People of Nkwen
Say it: BUH-nguh buh en-KWEN
How we name ourselves — one family, many chapters.
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- Blessing
Nyàmbè á bɔ̀ŋ wèʼ
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Blessing
May God bless you
Say it: NYAHM-bay ah BAWNG weh
A parting blessing for travelers and the sick.
↺ Tap again to flip back
- Family
Mbə̀ŋə̀
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Family
Child
Say it: em-BUH-nguh
Every child belongs to the whole village.
↺ Tap again to flip back