By Anye Valentine, in Bamenda
The natives and inhabitants of Mankon, a village in Bamenda II Subdivision, North West Cameroon have bid farewell to their late King, Fon Agwafor III while welcoming a new ruler who would take over power in the tribe.
The Paramount Fon of Mankon went missing on May 21, 2022.
Since then, the kingdom has been without a father till today June 7.
Traditional rituals marking his farewell started on June 1.
The tradition required that all inhabitants of Mankon halted livelihood activities such as farming and construction, while elderly men were to stop wearing caps.
The official mourning of the fallen ruler started this Tuesday June 07, at exactly 5:00 am with a thousand natives dressed in their mourning attire called “adzagt”. Then followed an outburst of cries from mothers, fathers and children.
The crowd was appeased when the new Fon, Fru Asah Ndefru IV who was stoned with pebbles, a tradition called the “Nikwi” practised for the past 60 years.
The Nikwi was performed to wish a safe journey to the late Fon and empower the new ruler spiritually, psychologically and physically.
During this process, the Fon showed his bravery by sneaking through a crowd chasing him with pebbles.
After this activity, the Fon then retreated to his chambers and returned with the regalia of a lion.
This invoked an atmosphere of praises and ululations.
The Mankon people returned to their various homes satisfied with their king whom they believe has resurrected from death.
21:00
