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| Members of the nwarong society |
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.
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| Fon Nganji IV addressing his subjects after public presentation |
By
10 am, the courtyard was full to capacity with some masquerades displays in
almost all the four corners of the palace. The euphoria that greeted the public
presentation of the newly seated Fon Nganji IV could be likened only to the
swearing-in of a head of state given that it takes several years for villagers
to witness such an episode that comes once in a lifetime.
March
3, 2018 entered into the annals of the (Wi)mbum people as the day that history
repeated itself in Ngarum village
“particularly as the fon is back in the palace”. The exhilaration was
fabulously corroborated in the brightness of the sky which also demonstrated
that the gods of Wimbum land were elated; the ancestors too as well as the
living forces that had waited for this day since Late Fon Nganji III
disappeared were happy for the new fon.
The over 15.000 people that stormed the
stormed the Ngarum palace courtyard since morning had been expressing their
emotions through singing, dancing and masquerade displays while waiting for the
opportune moment that the “Nwarong” will announce the presentation of the new
fon to the general public. The palace courtyard was in a beehive mode from the
early hours of the morning up to the moment, the (nwarong) emitted warning
signals that something serious was about to take place. The courtyard was
cleared and the drums that were echoing into the wilderness seized suddenly,
there was total silence when a long line of empty body-members of the supreme
organ of “nwarong” emerged.
Movements were restricted, talking and
whispering too except for the leader of the leader of the Sheys and Tantohs who
had the crushing authority to pass the message to the people accompanied by the
gong he plays. They were moving at snail speed and beside the steps of the “Yenwarong”
juju that leads such a solemn occasion, the only noise was the sound of a
little bird in the sacred forest. No one was allowed to be seated, men of age
stood up, women and children all bowed.
It was 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. As the last person on the line emerged, the sound of the gong
was immediately
accompanied by few important
words of intelligence: “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.
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| Leader of the nwarong |
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. As guardian of costumes and tradition, and the guarantor of
development only the “nwarong” has the right to present him to the public. His
public presentation doesn’t only symbolize power but above all the authority
that comes with it reasons why when the newly seated fon was about to get back
into the palace, a goat was slaughtered. He steps on the blood as well as
members of the nwarong who are not corrupt. Anyone who is corrupt, practices witchcraft
to destroy others never steps on the blood of the slain goat. This is so because
anyone who is corrupt steps on it, the person doesn’t live for more than a day.
It
is at this stage that the powers of the ancestors have their words. Those who
are specialized in reading traditional signs left Ngarum village with smiles on
their faces because when HRH Fon Nganji IV stepped on the blood of the
sacrificed goat, a signs which clearly
portrayed that he is the true leader of Ngarum people. In fact the (Wi)mbum
people have one unique tradition and its grandeur is inhabited in the manner
that it is, practiced, preserved, protected and inculcated.
It
was also a moment of unity and a cultural fiesta that brings home all and
sundry as well as every other person that matter. It was also a moment for
youths to partake in promoting their culture and tradition as every woman, man;
young, old, rich and poor had a place and something to offer to the palace.
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| New fon directly behind the ye-nwarong (Pics courtesy off Gibip Tata) |
Fon
Nganji IV Speaks Out
After
the presentation, HRH Fon Nganji Iv spoke to the people of Ngarum. In his keynote
message to the people of village, HRH Fon Nganji IV prescribed love, peace, togetherness
and honesty. He said he would spare no effort to make his own little
contribution towards the emergence of village as well as contribute to peace
and stability for the welfare of all. He said he was elated to see the crowd
and will be listen to all the advice which will change lives positively. He
cautioned the youths who pass time fighting at the market square. The fon also
used the opportunity to express thanks and gratitude to the President of
NGADECA, Abanda Alphonse for his contribution in fostering the development of
the village.
When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)
