Fon of Bafut
Encyclopedia
The Fon of Bafut is the fon
or Mfor (traditional ruler) of the town of Bafut and its adjoining areas in the Northwest Province, Cameroon
which comprise the erstwhile Fondom of Bafut. Presently, the Fon of Bafut is still a local ruler, but under jurisdiction from the Government of Cameroon, and a board of Fons. Bafut is one of the largest villages in the North West Province.
Once autocratic, increasing tension, military conflict and finally defeat at the hands of the Germans
in the Bafut Wars
(1901 - 1907) turned the Fondom of Bafut into a part of the German protectorate of Cameroon (Kamerun Schutzgebiet) during the reign of Abumbi I. After World War I
, the Fon of Bafut and his people became part of the British protectorate of the Cameroons
or British Cameroon.
The Fon of Bafut was, and to some extent still is, the "supreme fon" of the region, who presides over neighbouring fons.
's humorous portrayal of the Fon Achirimbi II
in his books describing animal-collecting missions to Bafut in the 1940s and 1950s - Bafut Beagles and A Zoo in My Luggage.
The Fon was assisted and advised by titled royals - the most prominent among them being the Mamfor or the mother of the Fon, either his real mother or a sister.In addition there were two fraternal assistants called Ndimfor (the elder brother) and Muma (younger brother). However, none of these royals served as regent in the case of the Fon's death or indisposition.
The body which actually shared power with the Fon and deputised for him was the council of elders or Kwifor. The strength of Kwifor lay in its role as a council of kingmakers and was thus a check on royal power. The Fon acknowledged this and tried as much as possible to avoid confrontation.
See also: Traditional administrative system of Bafut
, but failed. The Fon Abumbi I was openly hostile to the Germans, and diplomacy was not pursued.
The idea of decentralized governance by local people was put into practice in July 1917 in the British Cameroon when the District officer inaugurated an 'Instructional Court' in Bamenda
. This was an assembly of chiefs from surrounding communities who were summoned to be instructed in the new native court ordinance and to go on to form the new courts. The membership of the court consisted of 27 chiefs with the Fon of Bafut Abumbi I appointed as president due to his role as the "supreme fon".
The court proved only mildly successful, but his son Achirimbi II
was very tolerant of the British. He alienated himself from other Fons by being sympathetic to the British cause and was awarded a Certificate of Honour by the British government 'as a record of the valuable services rendered by him to his own country and people and to the British Government... and loyal services given to the Administration in the maintenance of good order'.
from the British Cameroons, Fon Achirimbi II
famously said that it was a choice between the "Fire and the Deep Sea".
Bafut is one of many places in Northwest and West Cameroon where traditional power structures are still in place. The Fon of Bafut also holds several important administrative positions including that of the head of the North West Fons' Union (NOWEFU), and member of the Management Board of the North-West Development Authority (MIDENO).
The grass-cutting ceremony and the annual dance were described by Gerald Durrell in detail in his accounts The Bafut Beagles, and A Zoo in My Luggage.
The original palace was built out of wood and liana
. The complex and the central shrine were burnt to the ground by the Germans
in the Bafut Wars
, but was rebuilt over the period 1907 - 1910 with help from the Germans after the signing of the peace treaty. Its buildings represent both colonial influences and indigenous vernacular architectural styles, and are mostly made of fired bricks covered by tiles. The residence built by the Germans for the Fon presently serve as the guest house, and also houses a museum. Fon Abumbi II has declared that the museum will feature relics from the Battle of Mankon (1891), of the Bafut Wars
, when warriors from Bafut routed a German
expeditionary force.
Only one building from the original palace stands - it is supposed to shelter the spirit of the Fon's ancestors. It is the Achum - the old palace, and has a striking architecture with its pyramidal thatched roof. Only the Fon and some village notables are allowed entry into the Achum.
There are two other older palaces of the Fon of Bafut.
Fon (Cameroon)
A fon is a chieftain or king of a region of Cameroon, especially among the Tikar and Bamiléké peoples of the Bamenda grassfields . Though once independent rulers, most fons were brought under the German rule or military subjugation during the colonial period...
or Mfor (traditional ruler) of the town of Bafut and its adjoining areas in the Northwest Province, Cameroon
Cameroon
Cameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon , is a country in west Central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west; Chad to the northeast; the Central African Republic to the east; and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to the south. Cameroon's coastline lies on the...
which comprise the erstwhile Fondom of Bafut. Presently, the Fon of Bafut is still a local ruler, but under jurisdiction from the Government of Cameroon, and a board of Fons. Bafut is one of the largest villages in the North West Province.
Once autocratic, increasing tension, military conflict and finally defeat at the hands of the Germans
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
in the Bafut Wars
Bafut Wars
The Bafut Wars were a series of wars fought in the early 20th century between the troops of the Fon of Bafut and German-backed troops of neighbouring fondoms and German troops....
(1901 - 1907) turned the Fondom of Bafut into a part of the German protectorate of Cameroon (Kamerun Schutzgebiet) during the reign of Abumbi I. After World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, the Fon of Bafut and his people became part of the British protectorate of the Cameroons
Cameroons
British Cameroons was a British Mandate territory in West Africa, now divided between Nigeria and Cameroon.The area of present-day Cameroon was claimed by Germany as a protectorate during the "Scramble for Africa" at the end of the 19th century...
or British Cameroon.
The Fon of Bafut was, and to some extent still is, the "supreme fon" of the region, who presides over neighbouring fons.
International Image
The Fon of Bafut is perhaps best remembered due to Gerald DurrellGerald Durrell
Gerald "Gerry" Malcolm Durrell, OBE was a naturalist, zookeeper, conservationist, author and television presenter...
's humorous portrayal of the Fon Achirimbi II
Achirimbi II
Achirimbi II was the tenth king or Fon of Bafut who ruled over the town of Bafut and adjoining areas in a semi-autonomous fashion. His reign lasted from 1932 to 1968, and included the time of handover from the British protectorate of British Cameroon to the independent country of Cameroon...
in his books describing animal-collecting missions to Bafut in the 1940s and 1950s - Bafut Beagles and A Zoo in My Luggage.
Traditional Role of the Fon
The Fon had titular powers in pre-independent Cameroon. He had multifarious functions:- He controlled external relations and internally he made laws.
- All justice was done in his name, he was the final court of appeal and had power of life and death over his subjects.
- As chief priest he offered sacrifices to his ancestors and interceded with them for the welfare of the people. He presided at important festivals, the most important being the Abin e Mfor, the dance of the Fon.
The Fon was assisted and advised by titled royals - the most prominent among them being the Mamfor or the mother of the Fon, either his real mother or a sister.In addition there were two fraternal assistants called Ndimfor (the elder brother) and Muma (younger brother). However, none of these royals served as regent in the case of the Fon's death or indisposition.
The body which actually shared power with the Fon and deputised for him was the council of elders or Kwifor. The strength of Kwifor lay in its role as a council of kingmakers and was thus a check on royal power. The Fon acknowledged this and tried as much as possible to avoid confrontation.
See also: Traditional administrative system of Bafut
Traditional administrative system of Bafut
The Fondom of Bafut political system centred on the Fon or Mfor who was the fount of the political and religious life of the people.The Fon had multifarious functions:*He controlled external relations and internally he made laws....
Role of the Fon during the Colonial Era
The Germans tried to put a puppet ruler in place of the Fon after the Bafut WarsBafut Wars
The Bafut Wars were a series of wars fought in the early 20th century between the troops of the Fon of Bafut and German-backed troops of neighbouring fondoms and German troops....
, but failed. The Fon Abumbi I was openly hostile to the Germans, and diplomacy was not pursued.
The idea of decentralized governance by local people was put into practice in July 1917 in the British Cameroon when the District officer inaugurated an 'Instructional Court' in Bamenda
Bamenda
Bamenda, also known as Abakwa and Mankon Town, is a city in northwestern Cameroon and capital of the North West Province. The city had a population of 269,530 at the 2005 Census, and is located 366 km north-west of the Cameroonian capital, Yaoundé...
. This was an assembly of chiefs from surrounding communities who were summoned to be instructed in the new native court ordinance and to go on to form the new courts. The membership of the court consisted of 27 chiefs with the Fon of Bafut Abumbi I appointed as president due to his role as the "supreme fon".
The court proved only mildly successful, but his son Achirimbi II
Achirimbi II
Achirimbi II was the tenth king or Fon of Bafut who ruled over the town of Bafut and adjoining areas in a semi-autonomous fashion. His reign lasted from 1932 to 1968, and included the time of handover from the British protectorate of British Cameroon to the independent country of Cameroon...
was very tolerant of the British. He alienated himself from other Fons by being sympathetic to the British cause and was awarded a Certificate of Honour by the British government 'as a record of the valuable services rendered by him to his own country and people and to the British Government... and loyal services given to the Administration in the maintenance of good order'.
Role of the Fon in the Post-Colonial Period
Even in the post colonial period, the Fon of Bafut has been an important administrative force. When asked whether to join the independent country of CameroonCameroon
Cameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon , is a country in west Central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west; Chad to the northeast; the Central African Republic to the east; and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to the south. Cameroon's coastline lies on the...
from the British Cameroons, Fon Achirimbi II
Achirimbi II
Achirimbi II was the tenth king or Fon of Bafut who ruled over the town of Bafut and adjoining areas in a semi-autonomous fashion. His reign lasted from 1932 to 1968, and included the time of handover from the British protectorate of British Cameroon to the independent country of Cameroon...
famously said that it was a choice between the "Fire and the Deep Sea".
Bafut is one of many places in Northwest and West Cameroon where traditional power structures are still in place. The Fon of Bafut also holds several important administrative positions including that of the head of the North West Fons' Union (NOWEFU), and member of the Management Board of the North-West Development Authority (MIDENO).
Ceremonies Involving the Fon
The Fon participates in virtually all the important ceremonies of Bafut. Two of the most important ones are:- The stoning ceremony: When a new Fon takes over, he is presented to the Bafut population for "stoning". The population may decide to throw token pebbles at him or choose to hurt him by throwing large stones. While a token ceremony now, this ceremony may have served some purposes of democracyDemocracyDemocracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
and electionElectionAn election is a formal decision-making process by which a population chooses an individual to hold public office. Elections have been the usual mechanism by which modern representative democracy operates since the 17th century. Elections may fill offices in the legislature, sometimes in the...
early on. - The annual grasscutting ceremony: This takes place at the end of the dry season, around late April. The entire community goes to the surrounding grasslands to collect bundles of dry grass for rethatching the important buildings in the palace complex (notably the Achum), trooping in front of the Fon with their offerings. The festival typically ends with a gala feast accompanied by palm winePalm winePalm wine also called Palm Toddy also called "Kallu" written in Malayalam and கள்ளு in Tamil or simply Toddy is an alcoholic beverage created from the sap of various species of palm tree such as the palmyra, and coconut palms...
. - The annual dance Abin e Mfor or Dance of the Fon: This annual event, held in December is also known as the Abin Lela, or Dance of the Flutes. Village nobles play traditional flutes and fire guns to mark the proceedings. It is the climactic point of the annual ritual cycle, and is supposed to signify the death and rebirth of the year (i.e. a new year ceremony). The ethnic dance is performed in traditional dress. The basic structure of the dance is:
- Luminaries of society (the Fon of Bafut and his advisors) form a spiral in the centre.
- The general public dance concentric rings around the spiral in a counter-clockwise fashion.
- Present-day African AmericanAfrican AmericanAfrican Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
ring ceremonies probably owe their origins to such ceremonies.
The grass-cutting ceremony and the annual dance were described by Gerald Durrell in detail in his accounts The Bafut Beagles, and A Zoo in My Luggage.
The Palace of the Fon
The palace of the Fon of Bafut or Ntoh is a major tourist attraction and is listed in the World Monuments Watch list of the 100 most endangered sites of 2006.The original palace was built out of wood and liana
Liana
A liana is any of various long-stemmed, woody vines that are rooted in the soil at ground level and use trees, as well as other means of vertical support, to climb up to the canopy to get access to well-lit areas of the forest. Lianas are especially characteristic of tropical moist deciduous...
. The complex and the central shrine were burnt to the ground by the Germans
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
in the Bafut Wars
Bafut Wars
The Bafut Wars were a series of wars fought in the early 20th century between the troops of the Fon of Bafut and German-backed troops of neighbouring fondoms and German troops....
, but was rebuilt over the period 1907 - 1910 with help from the Germans after the signing of the peace treaty. Its buildings represent both colonial influences and indigenous vernacular architectural styles, and are mostly made of fired bricks covered by tiles. The residence built by the Germans for the Fon presently serve as the guest house, and also houses a museum. Fon Abumbi II has declared that the museum will feature relics from the Battle of Mankon (1891), of the Bafut Wars
Bafut Wars
The Bafut Wars were a series of wars fought in the early 20th century between the troops of the Fon of Bafut and German-backed troops of neighbouring fondoms and German troops....
, when warriors from Bafut routed a German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
expeditionary force.
Only one building from the original palace stands - it is supposed to shelter the spirit of the Fon's ancestors. It is the Achum - the old palace, and has a striking architecture with its pyramidal thatched roof. Only the Fon and some village notables are allowed entry into the Achum.
There are two other older palaces of the Fon of Bafut.
- The old palace of Mbebli, also known as Ntoh Firloo was built by the Bafut people when they first arrived from Tikari some 400 years ago. It contains the tombs of the first three Bafut kings Firloo, Nebasi Suh and Ambebi. Libation for the famous Bafut annual dance "Abin e Mfor" begins here.
- The palace at Njibujang contains the tomb of the 8th King of Bafut Achirimbi I.
List of the Fons of Bafut
Some of the notable Fons of Bafut are:- Firloo : the first king of Bafut
- Nebasi Suh : the second king of Bafut
- Ambebi : the third king of Bafut
- Achirimbi I : the eighth king of Bafut
- Abumbi I ( - 1932): the ninth king of Bafut
- Achirimbi IIAchirimbi IIAchirimbi II was the tenth king or Fon of Bafut who ruled over the town of Bafut and adjoining areas in a semi-autonomous fashion. His reign lasted from 1932 to 1968, and included the time of handover from the British protectorate of British Cameroon to the independent country of Cameroon...
(1932 - 1968) : the tenth king of Bafut - Abumbi II (1968 - present) : the eleventh king of Bafut