The disappearance of the Fon of Mankon was announced Sunday May 29 following the customs and traditions of the Mankon people.
As subjects of the land turned out in their numbers, responding to the invitation of the Kwifon; the secret society that enthrones a new Fon, the messenger of Kwifon emerged before the village crowd at the plaza of the Mankon palace. Announcing to the people what has befallen the fondom, he declared the beginning of mourning in the entire fondom which will last one week.
“They will start mourning the Fon from today till the June 7. There will be no farmwork. Men would move without caps on their head to show that they are mourning their Fon. On the June 7 they will come back and get other details. The various quarter heads will further announce this,” Anye Joseph messenger of Kwifo told the press.
Following the announcement by the messenger, there shall be no tilling of the soil for one week in Mankon land or any activity that has to do with the digging of the soil as from the day of the announcement till June 7, 2022. This would be observed to honour their leader who has passed-on until when the new custodian of the land is officially enthroned.
Officials have been paying visits to the palace to bid farewell to the revered statesman who stood firm to protect the integrity of one Cameroon while constantly preaching peace to his people and extending love to disadvantaged children in his fondom.
Among the officials who have paid their last respect to the journeyed King of Mankon is the Central Committee’s Secretary General of the CPDM, Jean Nkuété who paid his last respect to a close party collaborator and First Vice National President of the party.
The week of solemn observances for the Fon is expected to end with the presentation of a new traditional leader in Mankon on June 7. There would also be the resumption of normal indigenous life.
WIFAH J. NDE
