History Bameka
History teaches us that the founders of four groups of the former Department of Mifi that are Bamendjou , BAMÉKA, BAMOUNGOUM and Banso and speaking "NGUEMBA" which means "I say hey ..." were the children of a family belonging to the last wave of people Bamiléké driven by Bamoun themselves driven by the Tikar around the seventeenth century.
The names of the villages are brought about names that parents of these children gave them because of certain characteristics of their behavior or their very status in the family.
Thus, the first born, who was an illegitimate child should not be well accepted by his adoptive father, head of the family. Each time he makes a mistake, the father exclaimed: "Jo MU'NDJWO WA LET a'la" which means "here's a little unfortunate that I stuck with it." His brothers took the habit of calling it "MU'NDJWO", "little accident". From there came the name of the village he founded later and is now called Bamendjou.
The second (the first born of the couple) pamper loved his little brother. In doing so it would be so strong against him that their mother once exclaimed: "Me MANA'H NKATCHE TA CHIA", meaning "the boy hugged the baby too." Once his brothers called him "MU NKATCHE" (short for MU-NKA), which gave the name "MU-NKA" he founded the village later today called BAMÉKA.
The third was nice and helpful, qualities which made him eligible to always have a bit more than others and therefore be satisfied. One day his mom was excited and said, "Do MANA'H NKWONG NGOUGOUM tsit TA TCHI" which means "the child likes to show off to be satisfied." It was called then "MU-NGOUGOUM", "wise guy" from which came the name MU-Ngum founded the village that later today called BAMOUGOUM.
The third was nice and helpful, qualities which made him eligible to always have a bit more than others and therefore be satisfied. One day his mom was excited and said, "Do MANA'H NKWONG NGOUGOUM tsit TA TCHI" which means "the child likes to show off to be satisfied." It was called then "MU-NGOUGOUM", "wise guy" from which came the name MU-Ngum founded the village that later today called BAMOUGOUM.
The fourth very quarrelsome, was often a source of tension between Bates and his brothers. One day his parents called him and he intimated that order, "TCHO PEUMEMA POH YI Satch" no longer sow discord among your brothers. Of "NE Satch" = disunity comes the name "SSA" which was given to this child who later founded the village the village "NSAAH" now called Banso.
Faced with the lack of farmland and hunting grounds in their area of origin, the four brothers left their parents and came to settle on the present site of BAMÉKA where they lived together for several years before separating in cause conflicts between them regularly.
The first went to live in the southwest of the village and founded BAMEKA Bamendjou.
The other stayed behind and founded the village BAMÉKA.
The third went to found north of the village BAMÉKA BAMOUGOUM.
The fourth withdrew to the northwest of the village to establish BAMEKA Banso.
As children in every family get together very often by natural affinities. "MU-NDJWO" was very close to "MU-NKATCHE" while "MU-NGOUGOUM" got along well with "SSA". This grouping pairs of four brothers perpetrated by consolidating even after their separation. This probably explains why, throughout history, certain practices of the estate at the head of these four groups have remained secure, and well established as law. Thus the Chief Bamendjou "adopt" the Head BAMÉKA and vice versa: the Head BAMOUGOUM "adopt" the Head Banso and vice versa.
The creation of the village to the present day sixteen successive leaders for the leadership BAMÉKA. The head TAKOUKAM JEAN RAYMOND succeeded Feuhant NTCHINDA who was the 18th of the dynasty. This, in chronological order:
1 - Feuhant KA, founding ancestor of MU-NKA
2 - Feuhant NJONVEUH "hunter"
3 - Feuhant NKANDJO
4 - Feuhant NOGHOWO
5 - Feuhant TSINGTENE
6 - Feuhant KEMTCHEWET
7 - Feuhant NGUEPONGWO
8 - Feuhant TAGATCHA
9 - Feuhant TAKOUKAM
10 - Feuhant FEUKAM
11 - I Feuhant Fotsing
12 - Feuhant Fotsing II
13 - Feuhant FEUGANG
14 - Feuhant TAKOUKAM II
15 - Feuhant MBUKO Michel (1961-1965)
16 - Feuhant TAMBO Felix (1967-1996)
17 - Feuhant Pokam
18 - Feuhant NTCHINDA
19 - Feuhant TAKOUKAM JOHN RAYMOND (current Head of the kingdom BAMÉKA)
2 - Feuhant NJONVEUH "hunter"
3 - Feuhant NKANDJO
4 - Feuhant NOGHOWO
5 - Feuhant TSINGTENE
6 - Feuhant KEMTCHEWET
7 - Feuhant NGUEPONGWO
8 - Feuhant TAGATCHA
9 - Feuhant TAKOUKAM
10 - Feuhant FEUKAM
11 - I Feuhant Fotsing
12 - Feuhant Fotsing II
13 - Feuhant FEUGANG
14 - Feuhant TAKOUKAM II
15 - Feuhant MBUKO Michel (1961-1965)
16 - Feuhant TAMBO Felix (1967-1996)
17 - Feuhant Pokam
18 - Feuhant NTCHINDA
19 - Feuhant TAKOUKAM JOHN RAYMOND (current Head of the kingdom BAMÉKA)
ORGANISATIONS
That the succession is from father to son or brother to brother, we can consider the Bamileke chiefdoms as kingdoms. Therefore naturally becomes BAMÉKA BAMÉKA the kingdom and the chief, the king (although there's no crown).
All the kingdoms of Grassfield (Christian name given by settlers which means fertile soil and represents the highlands of western Cameroon, from the MOUNGO ... ... .. ... .. through) are hyper-structured .
In each kingdom, the king is the supreme authority. It embodies the spiritual and temporal power. His entourage consists of the servants called TCHEUH-Feuhant and NWOLAH. The notables called "Nkam" assist the king in administrative and political management of his kingdom.
The hierarchy is the rule throughout the kingdom. The King is assisted by "NWOLAH" of "taahir MBA" and the modestly "MEFOH NKWONG".
1. NWOLAH TCHOUBUM:
He is the coordinator of administrative and political activities in the kingdom. In a way the Prime Minister;
2. NWOLAH NO'OH:
It is that which ensures the order and serenity to the palace, a sort of steward who watches over women and children of the king. It is likened to the Minister of the Interior.
3. NWOLAH KA:
This is one for whom the secret societies and associations have no secrets. It links them and majesty. It is the Minister in Charge of Relations.
4. Taahir MBA:
It is the aide of his majesty.
5. MEFOH NKWONG:
This is the first wife of King in some way the Queen.
In the not too distant time, the "NWOLAH", "taahir MBA", and "MEFOH NKWONG" accompanied the king in the afterlife to continue to serve in that a king never dies he rests.
The king often refers to the various councils of notables: the council of "September" and the council of "new". The meetings of different councils are held the leadership under the chairmanship of the King. However, the two boards may have to sit together at the request of the King.
The council of seven notables "MEKAM SAAMBAH" or "NDZO"
With the King they are considered the founders of the village. They perform religious functions. All the sacrifices to the gods, maintenance and running of sacred places called "Ndah-IF" they are responsible. They are the ones that accompany the King to his final resting place.
1. MBA NDZOGANG the district PENG
2. NDZO TSINBOU the district LATSIS
3. NDZO TATSOKAM the district MESSENGER
4. NDZO TACHUM the district LATSIS
5. NDZO DJOUBENG the district KOUOGOUO
6. TENE NDZOCHUM the district KOUOGOUO
7. NDZO DOUMKAM the district KOUOGOUO
The council of nine notables "MEKAM-NEFEUH" or "MBE"
This is the highest room and holds the legislative and legal. In this room will seat seven notables attended by the Prime Minister, "NWOLAH TCHOUBUM" under the stewardship of the King. In addition to the designation of the King, the decision on the promotion of a notable, the removal of a King if deemed incompetent or if they believe that the King does not follow the guideline that they all set. This is the highest court. Under the chairmanship of the King, it considers any dispute before it, and does not transfer to the courts in modern cases of incompetence or refusal of the verdict by one of the two parties.
1. MBE NZOTSING the district NGOUANG
2. MBE NDZOJOU the district KOUOGOUO
3. MBE NDZOTCHOUANG the district NGOUANG
4. MBE TATCHOUO MBOH the district MEJIA
5. MBE TESSANJE the district MEJIA
6. MBE NDZOTET the district MESSENGER
7. KUE NGAGHANG the district KOUOGOUO
8. NWOLAH TCHOUBUM
9. His Majesty the King.
Photo of High Chief Bameka
