A lot of hard work is necessary before somebody becomes a
genius, an enlightened despot. In fact there are people who have achieved as
much for their society in terms of fighting for the welfare of their people.
One of such is persons is World Echoes Newspaper’s 2018 “Model Icon of the
Month” that is his Majesty Fon Kavin II of Bambalang Kingdom.
Part of Fon Kavin’s greatness comes from birth which is
royal, and self acquisition of Knowledge and wit through conscious efforts which
makes him morally and financially strong amongst class and kind rates.
While others only made it because they inherited great wealth
or were appointed to high places, of responsibility, our Man of the Month
personally and self seeking bulldozed his way through.
This he did by burning the mid night candle even after his
coronation while as a student in the University of Buea and later a student in
the National school of Administration and Magistracy. Thanks to his search for
knowledge even after ancestral wit, he is refined and define, why not dynamic
in all he thinks, do or say because of the wisdom in him. This knowledge is
also responsible for his sense of belonging and direction, why not right
thinking reasons why he is loved and cherished by his people. His kingdom
without mixing words is the only kingdom in the grass fields not facing
chieftaincy crisis.
He is a Fon, an administrator, an economist and why not jurist
by extension from ENAM. Amongst Fons he is the Sectary General of North West
Fon’s Union.
Our idol and icon of the month, simple and unassuming, down
to earth and God fearing has succeeded in giving the “Sha'atang cultural festival running for its 85 Edition world
recognition. Not only that, the Mbaw-Yakum multipurpose
museum has gained national and international recognition through UNESCO thanks
to his lobbying power.
Bambalang is blessed today and witnessing fast face up lift infrastructural
wise and development wise thanks to the God send king of Bambalang. The people
today can heave a great sigh of relief as there is total and complete synergy
between the village Administration and the Bambalang cultural and Development
association.
Our man of the month has indeed done so much for his region
and the nation, yet, more is still to be rolled out of his sleeves which this
our special edition cannot contain,
A general over view of Bambalang Village;
Bambalang is a
village located in the NorthWest Region of Cameroon. The village of Bambalang is
one of the four villages that make up Ndop
Central Sub Division and one of the thirteen villages that make up Ngoketunjia Division.
Bambalang village saw most of its fertile land flooded upon the completion of
the Bamendjin Dam in 1974 giving rise to some Islands like Mbissa,
Nkeshie, Mbefekhu, Mishie and Mpayah. The Bamendjin Dam was constructed mainly
to serve as a reservoir to feed the hydroelectric
plant at Edéa. It
was constructed across the Noun
River, a tributary of the Sanaga River that
operates the hydroelectric plant at Edea. The construction of this dam has
served as a source of mixed feelings for Bambalang people because while those
whose fertile land were flooded look at it as a mishap, it is beneficial to a
cross section of the population given that it is contributing enormously to the
economy of the village with thousands of fishermen whose lives and that of
their families depend on fish (Bambalang fish) gotten from the water. The
vegetation is Guinea Savanna as farming has destroyed most forests with the
exception of the "Pa’ah Ngwong" Forest at the heart of the village
(about 3.5 km2). Bambalang village is mainly a hillock stretching in a
North West, South-East direction. It is narrow at the North-West and broadens
towards the South East, appearing as a semi-Island or a promontory. Bambalang
has a length of about 21 km and a width of about 8 km giving an area
of about 168 km2 supporting a population of 20.863 people.History
Myth holds that the Mbaw-Yakum people (known as Bambalang upon the arrival of
the Germans) sprung out of a lake in a forest “Pa’ah Ngwong” at the heart of
the village. It is believed that the original founders were nine in number
referred to as “Ngwandipuh” i.e the “Big Nine”.[2] Ethnological studies trace
the origin of the Mbaw-Yakum people from Ndobo in the Adamawa Region of
Cameroon as well as other Tikari Villages in Ndop Plain. The Tikars migrated
from Bornu in Northern Nigeria through Ndobo, Bafia and the Western Region to
the North Western Region in the late 17th and early 18th Centuries A.D. The
first settlement of the Mbaw-Yakum people must have been at Pa’ah Ngwong where
a mysterious lake exist. It is in this small lake at the heart of the forest
where myth holds that the founders of the village sprung out covering their
heads with leaves of a herb “mbimboroh” (piper umbellatum). At that time tribal
wars were rampant leading to frequent migrations. This explains the movement of
small groups of people usually under a leader seeking refuge. The present
Mbaw-Yakum village originated from a number of small villages led by chiefs who
arrived and settled at different periods. Pa’ah Ngwong was the site where
Yakum-Ntaw I had settled with his people. These groups were frequently attacked
by enemies and at times the others united with enemies to fight against each
other. It was to avoid this continuous fighting that a number of small villages
were united by Yakum-Ntaw I to form one village under one leader known as
Yakum. They decided to call themselves the Mbaw people under the leadership of
Yakum hence the name Mbaw-Yakum. Mbaw-Yakum is related to other villages
because they hold that Ngwafuongmbie, wife of Mangwa (leader of the “Big Nine”)
had two sons and a daughter. The two sons were Tining and his elder brother
Chungpikuh. Chungpikuh was a hunter while Tining remained at home and succeeded
their father. Chungpikuh led a group of people who settled at the present land
of Bamunka and became the Fon of Bamunka. However, other Mangeh villages belief
that Mangeh had five children, two sons (Tuningmungwa and Chengfong) and three
daughters (Byiae, Vhenji and Mekheng). The eldest Tunigmungwa succeeded their
father and formed Bambalang while his brother Chengfonf established the Bamunka
village whereas Byiae formed Bamali, Vhenji forned Bafanji and Mekheng the
Bamunkumbit village. Bambalang and Bamunka were descendants of the males (sons
of Mangeh) while Bafanji, Bamunkumbit and Bamali are the descendants of the
daughters. These five villages, have formed the Mangeh Family Association to
maintain peace and unity among themselves to ensure progress of all. These
villages have no defined boundary between them because they know that they are
one.Sha'atang (Annual Cultural Festival The Sha’atang epitomizes the
Mbaw-Yakum people because it is a period of communion and reunion. Before the
coming of the Christmas, villagers knew that they had to buy new dresses for
their children during Sha’atang. Before the reign of Fon Ghogomu, death
celebrations of late Fons were frequent often provoked by problems that
threatened the welfare and health of the Fondom. In such situations, the gods
of the land were always consulted. A common answer was that one of the late
Fons was angry that the villagers have neglected him for long. An eleven days
of ceremonies (to usher peace) was then observed and the celebration carried
out. If after this a similar revelation was made of another Fon, another death
celebration was carried out immediately, so that a lot of time for farming and
other gainful activities were lost this way. Because of this Fon Ghogomu
suggested to the Kwifon that the celebration of all late Fons could be jointly
done, once a year. i.e an Annual Cultural Festival. This period is a week of
peace (retreat) when there should be no quarreling, fighting, shouting and
farming. The rest of the period could therefore be used for farming and other
gainful activities since this is done once a year.
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