Kom
Encyclopedia
The Kom are one of the principal ethnic groups of the North-West province of Cameroon
, where traditional government institutions are very important. The capital, Laikom, is the seat of the ruler, the Fon
, and his advisors, the Quifon, who continue to be the most respected leaders despite the imposition of a central Cameroonian government. Vincent Yuh II is the current Fon of Kom. The Cameroonian government recognizes to some degree the authority of the Fons and local chiefs subject to them.
Kom includes most of Boyo division, including such towns as Fundong, Belo, Njinikom and Mbingo. The area can be reached from Bamenda
on the so called ring road
.
The elaborate language and rich culture of Kom are very similar to neighbouring groups, collectively known as the Tikar
. The Kom language
is also called Kom or Itangikom
, most tribes moved south in search of better economic opportunities. The Kom people, who originated from upper Mbam in Tikari, moved in search of fertile soils. They first settled in Bamessin. While in Bamessin, their population began to grow drastically, and rapidly. The Fon of Bamessin feared a possible attack from the Kom people. He then tricked the Fon of kom (njinnabo I) into believing that the increase in their male population may some day lead to them being overthrown. The fon of kom believed this and subsequently accepted his proposal to burn all the healthy men in two separate rooms.
After the act was committed, the Fon of Kom realized that he had been tricked. The Bamessin Fon had built a secret door for his men to escape when the fire started. Unable to bear the loss and betrayal, the Fon of Kom committed suicide by hanging himself. He died without a son. Legend has it that a python appeared and led the people of Kom to their present settlement in Liakom.
is the counsel of elders (nchidoh). Unlike any other elderly person in the Kom tride, this set of people can easily be recognized by the red feather they carry on their hats. After the nchidoh, is the village head. He is somehow also the spiritual leader of the villages. He takes orders from the Kwihfoin and implements them.
and trade is the predominant thing done in Kom in other to earn a living. In the field of agriculture, the people produce food crops like, sweet and Irish potato, beans, corn, coco yams. Coffee
is the only cash crop produce in Kom. In trade, there a many cooperative unions that helps in the marketing of coffee. Many Kom retailers buy stuffs from places like Nigeria
, Bamenda
and Baffoussam to retail in the main towns of Fundong, Njinikom and Belo.
Interestingly, though Kom males hold most of the power in day-to-day affairs, Kom society is matrilineal in matters of succession. In this way, Kom society differs significantly from other tribes of Cameroon. Lineage in the Kom culture continues on the side of the mother and not the father in such a way that when an adult Kom male dies, ownership of his property including his compound, wives and children is transferred to his nephew (son of his sister) and not his own son. The process of matrilineal succession in Kom society is more complex if a deceased male did not have a nephew to inherit his property. In this case, succession is continued on the side of first cousin. As of the late 20th century, this practice is growing obsolete.
Kom society also places a great emphasis on respect for elders.
There are numerous dance groups like the Njang and chonng, which performs in many occasions including funerals. Prince Yerima Afo’o kom and Ateh Bazor are two of Kom’s most prominent folklore musicians.
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...
, where traditional government institutions are very important. The capital, Laikom, is the seat of the ruler, the Fon
Fon (title)
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...
, and his advisors, the Quifon, who continue to be the most respected leaders despite the imposition of a central Cameroonian government. Vincent Yuh II is the current Fon of Kom. The Cameroonian government recognizes to some degree the authority of the Fons and local chiefs subject to them.
Kom includes most of Boyo division, including such towns as Fundong, Belo, Njinikom and Mbingo. The area can be reached from 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...
on the so called ring road
Ring road
A ring road, orbital motorway, beltway, circumferential highway, or loop highway is a road that encircles a town or city...
.
The elaborate language and rich culture of Kom are very similar to neighbouring groups, collectively known as the Tikar
Tikar
The Tikar are a group of related ethnic groups in Cameroon. They live primarily in the northwestern part of the country, in the Northwest Province near the Nigerian border. They speak Bantoid language, also called Tikar. Their population is approximately 25,000.The Tikar have elements of...
. The Kom language
Kom language
The Kom language, Itaŋikom, is the language spoken by the Kom people of Cameroon. Schultz 1997a and Schutz 1997b contain a comprehensive description of the language's grammar.Kom is a tonal language with three tones.-References:*...
is also called Kom or Itangikom
History
During the 19th century migration in 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...
, most tribes moved south in search of better economic opportunities. The Kom people, who originated from upper Mbam in Tikari, moved in search of fertile soils. They first settled in Bamessin. While in Bamessin, their population began to grow drastically, and rapidly. The Fon of Bamessin feared a possible attack from the Kom people. He then tricked the Fon of kom (njinnabo I) into believing that the increase in their male population may some day lead to them being overthrown. The fon of kom believed this and subsequently accepted his proposal to burn all the healthy men in two separate rooms.
After the act was committed, the Fon of Kom realized that he had been tricked. The Bamessin Fon had built a secret door for his men to escape when the fire started. Unable to bear the loss and betrayal, the Fon of Kom committed suicide by hanging himself. He died without a son. Legend has it that a python appeared and led the people of Kom to their present settlement in Liakom.
Government and politics
The Kom tribe covers ¾ of the Boyo division. The capital of Kom is Liakom, and it is made up of over 43 villages. The tribe is ruled by a king or Fon (Fondom) and followed by the traditional prime minister ( kwihfoin). His job is to make sure that the Fon’s orders are follow to the lather. Besides the traditional prime ministerPrime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
is the counsel of elders (nchidoh). Unlike any other elderly person in the Kom tride, this set of people can easily be recognized by the red feather they carry on their hats. After the nchidoh, is the village head. He is somehow also the spiritual leader of the villages. He takes orders from the Kwihfoin and implements them.
Economics
AgricultureAgriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
and trade is the predominant thing done in Kom in other to earn a living. In the field of agriculture, the people produce food crops like, sweet and Irish potato, beans, corn, coco yams. Coffee
Coffee
Coffee is a brewed beverage with a dark,init brooo acidic flavor prepared from the roasted seeds of the coffee plant, colloquially called coffee beans. The beans are found in coffee cherries, which grow on trees cultivated in over 70 countries, primarily in equatorial Latin America, Southeast Asia,...
is the only cash crop produce in Kom. In trade, there a many cooperative unions that helps in the marketing of coffee. Many Kom retailers buy stuffs from places like Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger 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...
and Baffoussam to retail in the main towns of Fundong, Njinikom and Belo.
Society, culture, customs
Kom society is patriarchal. Males hold the vast majority of power and privilege, while females labour mostly in domestic roles in kitchens and on farms. A man's power and wealth is measured by the number of his wives. Polygamy is a thing of pride. This makes a man with one wife voiceless in a men's gathering. Girls get married as young as 15 years old.Interestingly, though Kom males hold most of the power in day-to-day affairs, Kom society is matrilineal in matters of succession. In this way, Kom society differs significantly from other tribes of Cameroon. Lineage in the Kom culture continues on the side of the mother and not the father in such a way that when an adult Kom male dies, ownership of his property including his compound, wives and children is transferred to his nephew (son of his sister) and not his own son. The process of matrilineal succession in Kom society is more complex if a deceased male did not have a nephew to inherit his property. In this case, succession is continued on the side of first cousin. As of the late 20th century, this practice is growing obsolete.
Kom society also places a great emphasis on respect for elders.
There are numerous dance groups like the Njang and chonng, which performs in many occasions including funerals. Prince Yerima Afo’o kom and Ateh Bazor are two of Kom’s most prominent folklore musicians.