Fon (title)

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The chief or king of a region in Cameroon , especially among the supporters of the Tikar and Bamileke who live in the Bamenda Grassfields (regions North-Ouest and Ouest ), is referred to as Fon . A Fon is appointed for life and is the independent ruler of an executive . He has his own courtyard and carries a number of traditional symbols of sovereignty (e.g. a totem ).

Some of the Fon's family members also hold important government positions. However, none of those involved in this “government” took over his government office after Fon's death. One of the numerous descendants of the polygamous Fon is appointed as his successor. This is not necessarily the firstborn. Fon's successor will be selected by a Fon's advisory team.

Most of the Fons had to submit to the German occupiers during the colonial times. After the end of the German occupation in Cameroon, they were placed under French or British rule, depending on whether their territory was in the part of Cameroon ruled by French or British. Since Cameroon's independence in 1961, the Fons are formally subject to the jurisdiction of the government of Cameroon. Nevertheless, they still take on independent administrative tasks and exercise part of the judiciary according to traditional rules in their sphere of influence.

The traditional tasks of the Fon were:

  • legislation and control of external relations
  • all jurisdiction was carried out in his name; he was the final court of appeal with the power to rule on the life or death of his followers
  • he was the supreme master of ceremonies and in this function had to offer sacrifices to the ancestors in order to ensure the welfare of his people

literature

  • Regina Steinleitner: Cameroon. From Mount Cameroon to Lake Chad. Därr-Reisebuch-Verlag, Hohenthann 1994, ISBN 3-921497-32-9 , pp. 188ff.

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