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Showing posts with the label Bakah Derick

Save the Crown: Mankon Kwifo suspends death celebrations

By Bakah Derick  The Supreme masquerade of the Mankon people has suspended all death celebrations in the village. The decision was made public on Saturday 11 June 2022 by the Secretary General of the the Mankon Traditional Council Ntomnifor Richard.  "All death celebrations in Mankon are suspended till after the upcoming Nikwi.  Implicitly, if a person dies in Mankon, he or she is buried without any form of celebration." The message reads  The dreaded Kwifo has charged quarter and clan heads to ensure implementation across Mankon.  " All Mankon Quarter Heads and Clan Heads are called upon to oversee the strict implementation of this decision in their respective quarters and clans.  Kwifo shall duly inform the  population whenever the suspension is lifted." The message concludes.  Sources close to the palace strong house indicate that, the order includes everyone living in Mankon and that defaulters shall be seriously checked.  The Nikwi it sh

World Environment Day 2022: Women's rights examined, eco-businesses showcased

By Bakah Derick  Women's Environment rights were at the center of a round table discussion organised in Bamenda on Wednesday 8 June 2022 by the not-for-profit non-governmental Cameroon Gender and Environment Watch (CAMGEW) as part of activities to mark World Environment Day 2022.  World Environment Day 2022 eco-business fair in Bamenda  According to the Gender and Women Empowerment officer for CAMGEW, it was important to give a gender approach to the observance going by the much work women do and can do to protect the environment.  "CAMGEW has been working since creation conserving the environment and promoting gender; mainstreaming everything thing gender in all their activities. Today, we saw that it was very important to bring together those women who are acting on the ground, those community organisations that are working towards the environment and that are promoting Women's actions." Ernestine Sevidzem said  CAMGEW Gender and Women Empowe

Mankon Enthronement: Raggae artist Ankias Valleyman talks to Hilltopvoices

Amongst the many who were present at the Mankon Fon's Palace to witness the coronation of their new ruler on Tuesday 7 June was internationally recognised raggae artist Ankias Valleyman. A Mankonian as he preferred to be referred to, was like many others witnessing the coronation of a Fon in his village for the first time considering that the disappeared Fo Angwafo III spent over six decades on the throne. He expressed satisfaction witnessing the exercise in an interview he granted www.hilltopvoices.com . Here is the complete and brief interview transcribed for you.  Ankias Valleyman, The Mankonian Raggae artist  Hilltopvoices: You seem to be witnessing the enthronement of a Fon in Mankon for the first time, can you confirm this?  Ankias: Yes. This is my first time  Hilltopvoices: what does this mean to you?  Ankias: I am a Mankonian and witnessing the "Kingsation"  in Mankon is a great deal for me. I can't even express how I feel, i am overwhelmed. I ca

Mankon Enthronement: the fortune teller who spoke with the gods all along in pictures

By Bakah Derick  Amongst the many attractions during the enthronement of the Fon of Mankon on Tuesday 7 June 2022 was the village fortune teller. Dressed in a torn red gown, with special beads and rubber shoes, the fortune teller juggled amongst the people like someone who had lost his sanity.  In rain and sun, he was on his feet and from time to time he will lie on the ground as if he is listening to a message from the gods.  He will not talk to us despite all our attempts to have a chat with him. Lots advanced in age but very energetic.  Earlier in the morning, he was calm and in a mourning mood. No dancing or jesticulations could be noticed. His face is even covered.  He seemed to love the bottle dance music considered highlife in Mankon. Here he was a jester. He gave everyone a reason to smile when it came on especially during the later part of the public presentation and naming of the Fon.  He could be seen exchanging wit

Save the Crown: Android era welcomes 21st Mankon Fo Fru Asaah Angwafo IV

By Bakah Derick  Since the disappearance of Fo Angwafo III in the second half of May 2022, almost every detail has been on social media. Though www.hilltopvoices.com can authoritatively state that the father of the Mankon people slept several days before his disappearance was made public even by the Bamenda administration, that was the most the dreaded Kwifo could do without the knowledge of the android generation.  Everyone struggles to capture a picture of the phone  Immediately the administration made the unpopular outing accoridng to traditional conservatives, the battle for who announces the successor began even before the kwifo could make the official announcement confirming the disappearance of the Fon. Even the announcement that convened a meeting of quarterheads and those ranking as such or above was seen on social media platforms unlike before when such announcements were made with the talking drum. The Kwifo explained that both were all means of communication and

Mankon Enthronement: Social Media was right. He is Fo Fru Asaah Angwafo IV 49

By Bakah Derick  Just shortly after Fo Angwafo III was announced to have gone to sleep, pictures of Prince Fru Asaah Angwafo circulated on social media as the new Fon of Mankon. Serving as Principal of Government Technical College (GTC) Nkeung in neighbouring Nkwen, then Prince Fru Asaah Angwafo was no longer available in public.  Fo Fru Asaah Angwafo IV sitting  He could however be spotted from time to time around the palace. It was same for some other princes with the right to be Fon. The former teacher of GTC Oku in Bui Division we gathered was seized just shortly after the disappearance of his father.  Talking to Mankon sons and daughters, some who were close to the departed monarch insinuated that he was not loved by his father. Others said he was not very close to tradition. However, they all agreed that he was a potential candidate for the revert office of the Fon of Mankon. "Despite all those pictures on social media, we could still have surprises.

Save the Crown: Ntaw Mankon "Sede Vacante", tears flow from old, young

By Bakah Derick  As ordered by the Supreme masquerade of the Mankon people; The Kwifo, sons and daughters of the Fondom this Tuesday 7 June 2022 have answered present at the Palace plaza to mourn the disappearance of their Fon.  Cross section of women at the Mankon Palace court yard  They have come with ragged clothing. They are covered with wood ash and a the majority with hair cut to the lowest level possible especially those of or close to the royal home. They chant in unism at one point and at another in disorder. It is a matter of feeling and love for Fo Angwafo III who joined his ancestors in the later part of May 2022. He has served the land for over six decades on the throne carrying the crown of the mighty Mankon people.. The coronarch is sung in the Mankon language bringing along a strong feeling of communication with the spirits.  The Nikwi nə Abubtə is on in Mankon as the throne stays empty (sede vacante in Roman Catholic jargon). They hope to see th