By Mildred Ndum Wung Kum
The visit of the people of Weh to Mankon palace January 7th, 2023 has been described as an emblem of diplomacy. Weh and Mankon are all towns in Cameroon’s North-west Region, with a Fon at the head of the indigenous territory.
Fon Mbuh II, traditional leader of Weh, led a two hundred man delegation from his Fondom to Mankon royal palace, for homage to Fon Angwafo III, defunct traditional ruler of Mankon who “disappeared” (departed) on May 21st 2022.
The Weh delegation was comprised of notables, sub chiefs, ordinary subjects and a special dance group called “Tshong”, a dance group of Weh descent said to appear during funerals.
The departure of Fon Angwafo III has been followed by funeral rites during which various dignatories are making trips to Mankon to celebrate his life and achievement, the reason why Weh followed suit.
At the Mankon palace, the people of Weh had a session with Fon Angwafo IV, incumbent traditional ruler of Mankon. During the session, nicities were exchanged. The Fon of Mankon was pleased to receive the Weh Community, stressing that “historical ties between both fondoms must be strengthened and sustained for the collective good of both fondoms” urging Weh people to stand by their Fon. The Fon of Weh acknowledged the nature and relevance of historical ties between both Kingdoms, and was satisfied that the relationship would take new twists with the new Mankon Fon.
Content is the adjective that describes the outcome of the visit to Mankon. Tohme-Fo’o Lang Michael Kpughe, a notable who was part of the trip, qualifies the visit as an ingredient of diplomatic bond “I think The visit has strengthened traditional diplomatic relations between Weh and Mankon and we hope that after this visit the relation would be further strengthened. It was a very successful visit and the Weh community here in Bamenda and those who travelled in from other towns and from the Weh village are proud. So we are a satisfied people.”
Mr Lang Michael goes ahead to trace the historical links between Weh and Mankon “Weh and Mankon has historical ties. In the 1950s, when Fon Angwafo III was picked as successor to the Mankon throne, he was working in Menchum Division at that time and was spending some time in Weh, so he had some historical ties with the Fon of Weh at that time. When he became Fon, he continued with this diplomatic ties with the former Fon of Weh, His Majesty Fon Simon Ngah Nji. When the current Fon of Weh was chosen to ascend the throne, he hesitated and it was Fon Angwafo III who encouraged him to accept the challenge to lead the Weh people, reason why the Weh community thought it wise to pay homage to the missing king of Mankon” he said
The trip by Weh for homage to Fon Angwafo III of Mankon coincided with the visit of people of Nso, Guzang, Awing, Bafanji and Aghem to pay homage as well to the missing Fon.