Category Archives: Nso Family Union (NFU)

Why and how Sehm Mbinglo I emerged Nso Fon in 1993

The Paramount Fon Of Nso

The enthronement machinations that led to the rise of Sehm Mbinglo I to the Nso throne are no secret to the Nso people again. As one whose father, Taa wo Faanjang, was one of the key actors in the enthronement Council, and having taken to myself to follow up keenly the intricacies that were involved, I recorded the following as the machinations that bedeviled the process:

-The sudden and unexpected “disappearance” of Fon Ngah Bi’fon III left the King makers and the Nso people quite confused as to the choice of the successor. This came from the fact that the Nso succession practice does not permit the throne to be vacant for more than a day. It should be noted that Fon Ngah Bi’fon III hours before his disappearance in the night was seen around town in his car doing his usual transactions. It was therefore in shock that the Nso people Rose to the sound of the “Ngem” announcing that the Nso Sun had set. This announcement set the King makers the more in confusion.

That was when the enthronement machinations started as potential candidates and their supporters entered into conclaves to design strategies to cause their choices to be accepted. 

Among the potential princes were Shey Kee from Mantum, Lawyer Gabriel Mbinglo, Shey Ayori and Prince Patrick Mbinkar Fondzeyuf. Of these Princes, the ones with political and financial backing were Shey Kee and Lawyer Mbinglo. Shey Kee had the backing from business and political gurus like Shey Isaac Lukong whose position was implicitly that of the Administration and Government. He was equally backed by Shufaay Ndzeendzev. Shey Kee was described as the CPDM choice. Understanding the political mindset of the Nso people in the early 90s with the prevailing political atmosphere in Cameroon as a whole and the Northwest Region in particular, coupled with the “hatred” against the militants of the party, it was logical that Shey Kee’s camp had to work extra-hard to succeed. The arrival of Sultan Ibrahim Mbombo Njoya, added to the suspicion that a CPDM candidate was going to be imposed on the Nso people, reason why the resistance became stiff.

Lawyer Mbinglo had a similar had his own support as well in Shufaay Ndzeendzev but not from the Administration or ruling party, because he was a noted militant of the SDF. Even as SDF, he could not have the support of Nwerong because he openly supported the Ngiri against Nwerong during the 1989 Mbor Crisis. According to one of the King Makers this researcher spoke with, Lawyer Mbinglo lost the trust of Nwerong on the day the Nchelav pursued Yeengiri to Squares and removed the Mbor (the emollient leaf) from the heads of the Ngang se Ngiri who were wearing them to Meluf to initiate a new member. Nwerong claim the Mbor leaf is their sole prerogative. On this day, after the Nchelav had completed the act and left for the Palace, Lawyer Mbinglo who was sitting in front of “Atlantic Photos Studio” at Squares got into the next Bar, (Sala’s Bar) and bought crates of beer for Yeengiri. That to Nwerong was considered as complicity with Ngiri against Nwerong. His candidature could not therefore pass without Nwerong’s support.

On his part, Shey Ayori who was lobbying for support in Faanjang, even in the absence of Taa woo Faanjang, who was in the Palace, was not a popular candidate. According to the same source, Shey was not popular because he was not a generous man. Many condemned that weakness in him and wrote him off the list of potential candidates.

Lastly, there was Prince Fondzeyuf Patrick, who was so popular among the commonest Nso man for his social interaction and remarkable generosity out of very little he had. Apart from that he was noted for his sympathy towards any afflicted and suffering. Prince Fondzeyuf equally enjoyed a 100% support from Nwerong, and aTaanto for:

-his unwavering support for Nwerong during the Mbor Crisis during which he was stoned in the Ngiri santum causing to lose a tooth for supporting Nwerong.

For mastering and promoting the culture of the Nso people and for his respectful nature towards the traditional instructions and those who incarnate them.

From another perspective, Prince Fondzeyuf was at the time a strong grassroots militant of the SDF and understanding the popular sway at the time, even among a majority of the King Makers, the probability of him going through was very high.

Above all, the voice of the gods through the Nso Mntar had him as their choice as reported from the messages brought back. It should however be noted that in 1983, when Ngah Bi’fon III was enthroned, Prince Fondzeyuf was seized and enstooled as Faay Taawong but he rejected the post with the pronouncement that he was destined for a higher position (Fonship)than that


Many who knew his background very well agreed that the position of Taawong for him was a calculated attempt to disrupt his future greatness. When therefore he was chosen, many did not doubt, though few were those who were expecting him during the machinations process.

It was during all these machinations that Nwerong stepped in and seized him, enthroned him in the Nwerong santum and then announced to the world that the Nso Sun had reason before the other King Makers and the other lobbying camps discovered they had been beaten. 

It was in the aftermath of the Nwerong act that resistance from Ndzeendzev, aTaawong and Ayiywong, and others that a stalemate arose as the New Fon stayed with Nwerong while the Nwerong ritualistic music resounded throughout that night.

Following this unexpected turn of events, the wisdom of the Sultan Ibrahim Mbombo Njoya, played a great role in the mediation. It was thanks to this wisdom that peace was reached and the process of enthronement was taken over as tradition demands. 

It should be noted that at the disappearance of the Fon, the Sultan arrived before Midday and took over the running of the Nso Palace before the new Fon was enthroned.

The rise of Sehm Mbinglo I to the Nso throne could be compared but to the rise of Sehm III, (Mbinkar Mbinglo) to the Nso throne. Both Fons were first enthroned by Nwerong before Ndzeendzev and other King Makers came in later. Such procedures challenged and disrupted the established enthronement procedure.

Bulami Edward Fonyuy

The University of Bamenda-Bambili

Email: bulamiedu@yahoo.com

The ascension story of Mbinkar Mbinglo; the Might monarch of Nso Kingdom

Fon Mbinkar Mbinglo

The ascension story of Mbinkar Mbinglo as you can read in Prof Daniel Noni Lantum in the monograph “Sehm III: Father of Nso Development (1947-1972) rather relates that there was a break from tradition in that he was seized for enthronement by Nwerong without the knowledge of Ndzeendzev. This, according to Lantum’s narrative, was after Prince Mbinglo sent mystical warning signals from his waiting “hide-out” in Mbah. The appearance of the rainbow in the sky was taken as a communication warning and signal to anyone who dared sit on the throne. Consequently, Nwerong fished him out and did an unprecedented recognition and enthronement procedure that  departed from the established tradition. It was in leading the already Nwerong-recognized “Fon'” to Ndzeendzev, that Ndzeendzev who was embarrassed questioned who was in the Nwerong mask, and further declared that if that was Mbinkar Mbinglo, then he was not going to endorse him. That, according to the narrative, was the cause of the discord between Fon Sehm III and Ndzeendzev.

It should be noted, that if Nso historians endorse the above narrative, then the second similar break in the enthronement procedure was recorded with accession to the throne of Sehm Mbinglo I. The difference with his father’s enthronement is that he never sent any warning signal, but was the choice of Nwerong and aTaanto because of his “respect for traditional institutions and for his inflinching support to Nwerong during the 1989 Mbor Crisis” (my quotes).

Unlike his father, when Nwerong seized and enthroned him, he stayed in the Nso Palace because of Ndzeendzev’s resistance against the choice. However, with the tactful and diplomatic negotiations led by Sultan Ibrahim Mbombo Njoya of the Bamoun, Ndzeendzev and his Co gave in to Nwerong. This entailed the re-enthronement of the Fon. And it came to pass. Sehm Mbinglo I is today 27 years on the Nso throne come September 2020.

These two similar scenarios prove that it is difficult for a Prince to auto-claim Fonship and go successfully through without one of the parties in the enthronement chain being an accomplice. And in such an eventuality if Nwerong is not in complicity the difficulty could be enormous.

In another light, the process of grooming a Nso Prince for succession to the Nso throne is more the collective responsibility of society. While Nwerong, as the custodian of the land, keeps a close study of all potential princes, the rest of the members of the enthronement council also keep a close study. These could only caution the princes but would never make them know they are under study. The individual prince under the hidden guide of his Wiinto, shapes his destiny on to the throne through his public comportment. Close friends, who are conscious of the potentiality of the said prince to succeed the Nso throne, caution and help the prince to build confidence in the population and in the King makers.

It should be noted that there is the metaphysical phase in the process of choosing a successor to the Nso throne. This is done through the Nso Mtar, who are sent out to the world to divine amongst the potential princes who is most suited. The Nso Fondom always waits for the return of these gods’ Messengers to return with the gods’ choice before the enthronement is done. However, they are never given more than a day to do. This phase is threatened by political influences and the overbearing interventions of Nwerong.

Concerning the Fon grooming a potential successor, it becomes a problematic equation in that there are two families considered to be in the rulership roll of the Nso Dynasty; the Ngah and the Sehm, who in reality are one. Sehm II (1886-1907) and Ngah Bi’fon I (1910-1947) were sons of Yaa Yeefon Lirfee. The tendency for a ruling Fon to be biased against the other house in his choice of a successor cannot be ignored. Also, the Fon’s criteria, as an individual, to judge any potential prince may be flawed by bias and incompatibility with the established criteria of the King makers and the society. These are some of the reasons why the probability of any respect for the ‘wispered choice” of a ruling Fon is low.

The dream of a Nso Fon abdicating the throne to hand over to a choice he had groomed is far removed from the Nso cosmic view and practices of inheritance. However, with the postmodernist disorder, one cannot totally dismiss an eventual precedence.

Bulami Edward Fonyuy

The University of Bamenda-Bambili

E-mail: bulamiedu@yahoo.com

Shey Tatah visits refugees from Southern Cameroons in Nkiri 1&2 Taraba state Nigeria

Scandy media keeps reaching out to our refugees in Nigeria, thanks to the support from its followers, network and sympathizers:

https://youtu.be/PMBfM-8M3Ok
Southern Cameroons has more than 100,000 Refugees in Nigeria, registered and not . The UN and other Organizations have been to some parts and states, yet the case of Taraba state remains still very wanting due to the distance and bad roads as well and the lack of volunteers to get to the borders and fish out some those dying in forests and bushes daily. Shey Tatah Sevidzem of Scandy Media Platform has been to some of these abandoned places with the support and assistance of his followers and network to create more awareness.

We went to one of the most dreaded places Nkiri 1& 2, inacessible with strong hired bikes thanks to support from Caroline M Ayuk, Nkeu Ndum Angafor Wo UK, we also had support from NFU-Bongbati of Denmark, Scandy media followers and fans : a message from Ambazonia front line leaders and IG : These are women in a valley hard to access known as Nkiri 1&2: The distribution took place after training on how the women can take care of themselves: About 95% of these women are from Lus,an outskirt of Nkambe in Donga Mantung County. We are grateful to all who contributed to this event : We intend visiting them again, getting kids to school and please do not hesitate to chip in something to reach out to those we could not: Shey Tatah from Scandy Media platform

NFU-Bongbati DK reached out to Southern Cameroons Refugees in Nigeria

Gembu- Sardauna LGA Taraba State Nigeria : More than 250 South Cameroonian women refugees assisted in the North of Nigeria by Nso Family Union NFU- Bongbati Denmark

On 24-26 May 2019, NSO Family Union (NFU) Bongbati, diaspora organisation member of ADEPT based in Denmark, provided first hand reusable kits to 250+ refugee women from Southern Cameroons settled in Gembu -Sarduana LGA Taraba state in Nigeria. Implemented in partnership with the ‘Days of Girls’ Nigeria organisation and the ‘Scandy Media’ platform, the action aimed at both, providing refugee women with sanitary pads and reusable kits while training them on how to take care of themselves. Partners used this opportunity to train the Scandy media local team on providing humanitarian response, thus enabling them to extend the action and help more refugees in need in other communities and villages.

More than 100.000 refugees headed to the neighboring Nigeria in search of protection, shelter and security, trying to flee armed conflict and political crisis in Cameroun. Some of them lost their lives in this difficult journey because of hunger, lack of shelter and poor health. Women and children are the most affected by the situation and need special care. The Southern Cameroonian refugees are mainly settled in Taraba state, one of the most remote and insecure regions of the North Nigeria. It is also one of the less assisted and difficult to access locations where Southern Cameroonian refugees suffer from hunger, poor living conditions and lack of access to health services. NFU Bongbati will continue providing humanitarian response to refugee women and call all the diaspora development associations and humanitarian organisations to join the action.

Shey Tatah Sevidzem

http://www.adept-platform.org/2019/06/05/more-than-250-south-cameroonian-women-refugee-assisted-in-the-north-nigeria/

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Bui SDO Simon Emile Mooh should be held responsible for the genocide and atrocities in Kumbo

Kumbo- Nso Bui

For a year now the silence of the SDO for Bui Simon Emile Moh who took over from the peace loving Nzeki Theophile, the man who despite the evil plans and intentions of the regime could still come out and calm the population and speak out on the atrocities with the out going D.O Kamto Francis must come to an end else he be considered the brain behind all the atrocities and genocide in going in Kumbo – Bui and therefore face the tune.

Mooh Emile Simon

Nji Emile Simon Mooh SDO for Bui is notorious for his deliberate silence on the killing of civilians in Kumbo. Since the burning of civilian crops in Tadu, the massacre of kids in Oku, the firing squad meted on civilians in Tayaf and Waiynamah, the burning of homes in Kitiwum and Tadu, the attacks in Mbiame, the killing of 3 members of a family by the military truck, the killing of 8 civilians at Berlem -Dzeng area etc etc…, the SDO has NEVER altered a single word nor explanation.

He and his brutal soldiers have instead join the NWR Governor (Dogvernor) Lele L’Afrique on a stupid campaign asking civilians not to be afraid of the military, not to run when they see them coming…

Lele l’Afrique

On Thursday, a more than 100 soldiers arrived Kumbo on brand new white Toyota Stouts. They went over to Bambui ( a quarter in Kumbo) and did some war games before proceeding to Kumbo Town and started harassing and arresting civilians around Squares. They abducted builders at a construction site and took them to the Brigade and asked them pay a “bail” of 15,000frs each. This the SDO remained mute yet asking the civilians to stay as they are protected. That is the protection he is giving them by conniving with the military to extort money and terrorize the poor  masses.

To make matters worse, yesterday they obstructed the vegetables market women several times as they harassed and abducted any man they saw around Kumbo Central town. Shey Meyo and Shey Kucha were whisked off to the Gendamerie for standing beside his door and for transporting beer to his bar respectively. A bike was chased towards Vebarong for transporting a patient to the hospital! Despite the fact that Kumbo people have been calm ignoring the provocations of the military, this SDO’s silence might be the reason for more atrocities, meaning that he endorses all the actions of the colonial military forces.

Many people have been abducted this weekend and asked to pay “bails” before release. With the regime refusing to dialogue with the people , where do they expect the population to get the money for these ‘bails’ which is what the military uses as allowances to survive.

If the SDO does not take immediate action to stop this, and put the colonial military into book, he shall not only be Booked like other colonial SDOs to the Hague and charged for remaining silent in the face of an organized genocide but face draconian sanctions from the angry population.

Shey Tatah Sevidzem

scandy Media report