The Eye Newspaper: PhotoNews: Grand Mother of Wimbum Tradition Displayed At Public Presentation of Ngarum Fon

It was a moment of ecstasy and awe-inspiring one, and a historic one that some people witnessed it for the first time. People traveled from far and near not to miss the public presentation of the new fon which goes with a lot of dignifying traditional and cultural displays. At about 8 am on March 3, the Ngarum Palace Courtyard in Donga Mantung Division of North West Region was transformed into a beehive as thousands gathered to welcome the newly seated fon of Ngarum village. Such is a moment of solemnity, a unique moment whereby the supreme authority of the village manifested it intelligence and at the same time looked into the future of all the villages in Mbumland. In the line and directly behind the “Yenwarong” was the new fon. The Sheys and Tantohs will the power and everyone bows. The leader usually in red loin would announced to the frozen crowd and warns: “No body, no one!! Man or woman should ever try to pass his/her hand on his head. I said nobody whoever. Here is your fon, the lion, the tiger…..you can see for yourself that the palace is fresh. Nobody should ever try or attempt to have a negative look into the palace. Nobody, no man, no woman….The nwarong is watching and observing and if you dare, you know what awaits you. The nwarong has said that anyone who is here that has never had a baby should go back with a smile on the face.

The nwarong has also said that you will have good harvest this year and that the villages in Mbumland should flourish with twins”, the leader hammered into the ears of noiseless populace.

The “ye-nwarong” as the juju that accompanied the fon in his first public outing as commonly known in Mbumland took 1hour 33 minutes to move round courtyard. Those who were late could be seen in a mad rush from far distances because no one wanted to miss a glimpse of the first public appearance of the fon and or magnificent cultural splendor. More so not only to be told to get the message from the nwarong who may believe sees tomorrow. But as they approach the palace courtyard in that rush, no one asked them to stop yet they all got frozen, speechless and could only tip-toe to catch a glimpse of every little step. Directly behind the “ye-nwarong” as tradition demands was HRH Fon Nganji IV, “the lion; the tiger” who since his enthronement was catapulted to administer the village. This is so because the fon incarnates the lion and tiger which symbolize power.