This second day of the second edition of the Bia So Mengong festival could be summed up by this phrase from the chief of Abiete: “We didn’t know that we too had things to show the world”.

Indeed, far more than the soccer tournament or Sanzy Viany’s much-heralded appearance on the festival stage,

the highlight of the day was the very first “village evenings” organized by the village of Abiete.

And the event was a resounding success, to say the least.
The people of the village responded massively to the call. For more than three hours on the clock, the numerous spectators were treated to fun activities from the depths of time: traditional dances, storytelling, proverb competitions, bamboo object-making contests, cooking classes, all washed down with good mendim me zong (eggplant tea) and palm wine.

For those who stayed behind in the festival village, don’t worry: it’s now time for the choirs to start performing.
It’s not until well into the night that this second day of the festival comes to an end.