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Hello All! Welcome to this week’s #FairyTaleTuesday featuring powerful #DamselsInCharge from the myths and legends of different peoples in the Northwest and Southwest region of #Cameroon, my country of origin.
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Background: Although formed as a result of German and subsequently British and French colonization, the country Cameroon has multiple ethnic groups and over indigenous 250 languages.
Background: Although formed as a result of German and subsequently British and French colonization, the country Cameroon has multiple ethnic groups and over indigenous 250 languages.
#FairyTaleTuesday
First stop, the people of Kom a grassfields Fondom (Kingdom led by a “Fon”) of the Northwest region of Cameroon. They are well known for their highly organized communities, powerful leadership, and matrilineal lines of succession.
First stop, the people of Kom a grassfields Fondom (Kingdom led by a “Fon”) of the Northwest region of Cameroon. They are well known for their highly organized communities, powerful leadership, and matrilineal lines of succession.
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A version of the Kom foundation legend involves the woman Nandong and her three daughters leading the Kom people from Ndobo to Foumban, then Bamessi, Nso, Jottin, Ajang, and finally to Laikom, with the assistance of a python. https://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/afar.2012.45.1.66
A version of the Kom foundation legend involves the woman Nandong and her three daughters leading the Kom people from Ndobo to Foumban, then Bamessi, Nso, Jottin, Ajang, and finally to Laikom, with the assistance of a python. https://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/afar.2012.45.1.66
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Next stop, the people of Bafut, also of the Northwest region, known for their rich and extensively documented cultural history, and their well-organized society which vigorously resisted German colonization for many years before eventual subjugation.
Next stop, the people of Bafut, also of the Northwest region, known for their rich and extensively documented cultural history, and their well-organized society which vigorously resisted German colonization for many years before eventual subjugation.
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Before all this however, after the Fondom was established by Agha'anjoo who rules from a place called Mbebeli, it is said that Ndieu-ala'a, a woman who lived at the palace went to fish in Ngkiteubaramu a nearby stream.
Before all this however, after the Fondom was established by Agha'anjoo who rules from a place called Mbebeli, it is said that Ndieu-ala'a, a woman who lived at the palace went to fish in Ngkiteubaramu a nearby stream.
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Upon arriving, she saw a plum tree on the other side and so crossed the stream to pick ripe plums. There, she saw a broad, flat plain which she thought made an excellent location for a new palace.
Upon arriving, she saw a plum tree on the other side and so crossed the stream to pick ripe plums. There, she saw a broad, flat plain which she thought made an excellent location for a new palace.
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She reported her discovery to the Fon's councilors, who sent a delegation to survey the site. Ultimately, the decision was made to relocate the palace at the new site which they decided to call Bujong.
She reported her discovery to the Fon's councilors, who sent a delegation to survey the site. Ultimately, the decision was made to relocate the palace at the new site which they decided to call Bujong.
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After the palace was established, Ndieu-ala'a thought (rightfully IMO) that she should be rewarded for her discovery and demanded special favor for herself and her children. She complained aloud in public when her expectations were not met.
After the palace was established, Ndieu-ala'a thought (rightfully IMO) that she should be rewarded for her discovery and demanded special favor for herself and her children. She complained aloud in public when her expectations were not met.
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Fearing supernatural repercussions of her disgruntled speech, the Fon's councilors decided that she must be killed. To carry out this sentence, they had a large pit dug near Nsaaneumunwi (the present site of the daily market in 'downtown').
Fearing supernatural repercussions of her disgruntled speech, the Fon's councilors decided that she must be killed. To carry out this sentence, they had a large pit dug near Nsaaneumunwi (the present site of the daily market in 'downtown').
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The pit was covered over with a false floor and placed a fine 'chair'. Ndieu-ala'a was informed that the council had at last acceded to her demands and agreed to reward her properly for her service to the kingdom.
The pit was covered over with a false floor and placed a fine 'chair'. Ndieu-ala'a was informed that the council had at last acceded to her demands and agreed to reward her properly for her service to the kingdom.
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She was invited to take her 'throne'. She did so, plunging to her death.
https://www.jstor.org/stable/23076470
She was invited to take her 'throne'. She did so, plunging to her death.
https://www.jstor.org/stable/23076470
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Still in the Northwest region, there is the story of Ngonnso', founding mother of the people of Nso, known for their highly organized hierarchical society, their rich culture of music and dance, and their spirituality, both traditional and Catholic.
Still in the Northwest region, there is the story of Ngonnso', founding mother of the people of Nso, known for their highly organized hierarchical society, their rich culture of music and dance, and their spirituality, both traditional and Catholic.
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Legend says when her two brothers Nchare Yen and Mbe decided to leave the Tikar Kingdom and form their own kingdoms, she wanted do, the same with her supporters but was told to stay because she was married.
Legend says when her two brothers Nchare Yen and Mbe decided to leave the Tikar Kingdom and form their own kingdoms, she wanted do, the same with her supporters but was told to stay because she was married.
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Like every good heroine, she ignored their orders and followed any way. When her brothers saw her following, the cut the bridge of the Mape river which they had just crossed, stranding her on the other side.
Like every good heroine, she ignored their orders and followed any way. When her brothers saw her following, the cut the bridge of the Mape river which they had just crossed, stranding her on the other side.
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Undeterred, she moved west with her people and eventually met the people of Visali (also known as the Mtaar) with whom she struck a deal and founded the Nso dynasty (which is named after her.)
https://bfu-usa.org/bui_history.php
Undeterred, she moved west with her people and eventually met the people of Visali (also known as the Mtaar) with whom she struck a deal and founded the Nso dynasty (which is named after her.)
https://bfu-usa.org/bui_history.php
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Ngonso’ is celebrated in an annual festival and honored with a commemorative statue.
Ngonso’ is celebrated in an annual festival and honored with a commemorative statue.
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Nyianya is the founder of the Ntul people who were defeated by Mkong Moteh, the Oku king who is today venerated as a deity. She introduced iron technology and taught the powerful medicine that Oku people are known for.
Nyianya is the founder of the Ntul people who were defeated by Mkong Moteh, the Oku king who is today venerated as a deity. She introduced iron technology and taught the powerful medicine that Oku people are known for.
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Princess Nanyonga of the Bali Nyonga led her people, who were part of the larger Chamba migration to their current location in the Northwest region. Her son, Nyongpasi, succeeded her to became Fonyonga I, the first Fon of Bali.
https://repository.up.ac.za/bitstream/handle/2263/30321/04chapter4.pdf?sequence=5&isAllowed=y
Princess Nanyonga of the Bali Nyonga led her people, who were part of the larger Chamba migration to their current location in the Northwest region. Her son, Nyongpasi, succeeded her to became Fonyonga I, the first Fon of Bali.
https://repository.up.ac.za/bitstream/handle/2263/30321/04chapter4.pdf?sequence=5&isAllowed=y
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The powerful women of the Ejagham Ngbokondem society are priestesses of the Ndem spirit, a powerful female deity venerated throughout the Cross Rivers area in the Southwest region of Cameroon and the Southeastern part of Nigeria.
The powerful women of the Ejagham Ngbokondem society are priestesses of the Ndem spirit, a powerful female deity venerated throughout the Cross Rivers area in the Southwest region of Cameroon and the Southeastern part of Nigeria.
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Legend says the first Ngbokondem fell from the sky into a large Boma tree. She wore strange dancing attire and spoke in a language no one understood. Later, she married and taught some women her secrets.
Legend says the first Ngbokondem fell from the sky into a large Boma tree. She wore strange dancing attire and spoke in a language no one understood. Later, she married and taught some women her secrets.
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Many powerful women from the Northwest and Southwest region!
Many powerful women from the Northwest and Southwest region!
