Yaounde Kedjoms Honour New Fon

By Kini Nsom and Clovis Atatah

The Kedjom Keku people resident in Yaounde and its environs recently, declared their allegiance to their new Fon, His Majesty Fon Benjamin Vutsiboung.  The ceremony that took place at the Messasi neighbourhood was a veritable cultural extravaganza during which the Kedjom people show-cased their tradition.

H.R.H.Vutsiboung sharing from the royal cup

It was one of the few public appearances of Fon Vutsiboung since his enthronement in June 2004 as the traditional ruler of Kedjom Keku in Tubah Subdivision of Mezam Division in the Northwest Province. 

According to one of the Kedjom elite in Yaounde, Annebom Monju, the new Fon was enthroned after Fon Simon Vega tendered his resignation.

The Post learnt that the Fon's resignation was the climax of a conflict that pitted him against his people, following his alleged controversial rules in a farmer-grazier conflict in the area.

The Fon was accused of selling all farmland to a powerful grazier in the area.  It was in such circumstances that the Kedjom ruling body, the Kwifon, declared the throne vacant. They later searched for and found the new Fon.

But the Northwest Fons' Union, NOWEFU, took great exception to the enthronement of a new Fon, warning that the Kedjoms were setting a dangerous precedence that could put many Fondoms of the Northwest in the murky waters of conflict.  Thus, the Mezam administration is said to be hesitant in recognising the new Fon.

Reacting to the situation, one o the Kedjom elite said the people power would triumph because the authority of the new Fon comes from his people. In a welcome address during the occasion, the leader of the Kedjom community in Yaounde, John Forbang, recalled with relish how the new Fon came to throne.

"On June 5, 2004, Kwifon, the supreme authority in Kedjom, summoned all sons and daughters of Kedjom Keku home for an urgent message.  The message was the enthronement of a new Fon," Forbang said.  He attributed the delay in receiving the Fon to the nonchalance of some Kedjom elements who did not want to contribute for the occasion.

  He regretted that a few elites were behaving as if they are not Kedjom Keku elements and only appear where they can be seen as individuals.

Forbang said one year on the throne was the dawn of a new era.  According to  him, this period has brought peace, calm and development in the village. He said the traditional house in the palace, called ntsi, is under construction, while the expansion of the pipe-borne water system by HELVETAS, has been realised.

Addressing his subjects, the Fon said unity is strength. He called for unity and reconciliation among is subjects. He promised to convene a meeting of reconciliation between the elite. 

The euphoria that enveloped the event came to a head when the Fon wriggled majestically to the rhythms of the fumbu royal dance. Jujus, the ndzang and ndzang woin dance animated the occasion.The new Fon works with the Food and Agricultural Organisation, FAO, in Yaounde.

Comments

[Tumtumsi charles]

Fon Vegah has been dethrown and Fon Vustiboung has been enthrown.Without diving into politics,it suffices to say that a revolution occured in Babanki and like in all revolutions any body who is enthrown becomes the new king and continue to pilot the affairs of the country.
The revolution in Babanki was systematic,not even spontaneous.The former ruler has been destituted,ruthless and dictatorial.He infringed pains on his people,sold lands including the famous patatoes and vegetable farms.A place considered as the bread basket of the village.
We know the fon is in-laws to many NOWEFU members but family matters can not come to override traditional politics.He has laid an indelible pain in the village.NO Babanki man would accept him back in that palace.So NOWEFU its high time you think twice underwise you make us believe that you are a mafia group not actually to help your people but to grab enjoy and protect power.The fon was rightfully enthrown following the traditional rules and customs and so there is nothing as illegal or illegitimate in the the new KING of Banbaki.
If you dont want to recognise our FON then I will make the public to understand who you are and that Fon Doh and his NOWEFCO and be better than you.