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04.07.2004
Business Spices "Ngoun" Festivities
Brenda YUFEH
The great traditional and cultural days of the Bamoun people brought business operators from all over the world.
Guests in Foumban last weekend saw a rich exhibition of craftworks from Bamoun inhabitants in France, Gabon, South-Africa, Belgium, Germany and all the 10 provinces in the country. This was part of activities marking the 2004 edition of the Bamoun Cultural festival, the "Ngoun". There was also a display of traditional attires, the dedication of a publication: "The Mystery of the Nguon", by Queen Jennifer James Mbombo Njoya, the dedication of books on the writings of Sultan Njoya, an exhibition of Bamoun traditional medicines and traditional dances, ballets, sketches, poems and theatre on the life of the people of Foumban.
In line with the theme of the celebration, all the stands projected the use of condoms as a means to curb HIV/AIDS spread.
The population also witnessed a grand traditional march past. The royal relics and courtiers, princes and princesses of the Bamoun dynasty, Sultan Njoya’s descendants and delegations from all over marched past in their traditional attires while projecting banners against HIV.
The ceremony was an opportunity for economic operators to make brisk business. Many international and national companies were present in Founbam, selling products at cut-throat prices. Even home based traders made extra gains. There was a rise in the prices of hotel rooms. A hotel room which cost CFA 7,000 was given at CFA 25,000. According to a hotel operator, Mrs Alima, "it is a festive period with so many guests around. "We must make profits from their presence", she added.
The "Nguon 2004" was the 540th edition and celebrations were under the theme " a united people fighting against poverty and HIV/AIDS.
In all, the atmosphere in Foumban was festive. One barely had to meander through the town as thousands of people from Cameroon and beyond came to witnesse the event. There was a rich displayed of Bamoun tradition. A series of traditional rituals were performed. One of them was the ritual-outing of the "Fonanguon" (the nguon ritual chiefs). At the arrival of Sultan Ibrahim Mbombo Njoya, a ceremony dubbed "Sha’pam" was carried out during which there was a collection of traditional herbs from each of the Nguon ritual chiefs by the Sultan. This took place within the palace premises. Sources say the Sha’pam ceremony is an opportunity for the Nguon chiefs to inform the Sultan about happenings in the regions under their control and to enrich him with some of their powers.
Also during the occasion, the Sultan faced a strictly traditional palace Minister of Justice. This could be likened to a traditional system of democracy during which the Sultan has to descend from the throne and answer requisitions from the "Fonanguon". This time, the Nguon ritual chiefs questioned their leader on various happenings in the kingdom since 2002 when the last Ngoun took place.
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