Thursday is my last day in Cameroon. I'm scheduled to be anointed the Mufua for Nkem of the Fontem tribe. I'm excited. Professor Amin reviewed the process of the ceremony. Fortunately it is very simple. And they take this very SERIOUSLY. After that point, I will only be referred to as Mafua, unless we're in professional settings.
If I have time after the ceremony, I'll give you the rundown. If not, this will be my last post before returning home. If it is my last post, thanks for sharing this experience with me. I had planned to write more but limited internet access didn't make it possible. The internet connection is slow so I doubt I'll post any pictures until after my return--although I do at least want to post the pictures of me receiving my chicken from the Fon :-)
Later . . .
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Highlights of the Belo trip . . .
I'm back in Yaounde now. As far as creature comforts go, I was miserable in Belo. However, I'm not going to talk about it because I'll just sound like the whining American that I am :-)
So let me give you highlights of my trip to Belo
***Went to a Baptist church service in the village. Interesting to note two similarities of black baptist churches at home and in the baptist church in the village--the choir/singing was absolutely fantastic and the service lasted WAY to long--hahaha
***Visited a program to help widows in two other villages. A moving experience. In both they called me their long lost daughter who has returned home to help them. Many women were visibly emotional to see me and in both places they sang impromptu tribal songs to welcome me. I was so overcome by emotion that I literally thought I was going to pass out.
***Took a trip to the palace of the leader of the Kom (Tikar) people. He's an older man in his 90's. His title is the Fon (phone)and his blood line for this title goes back for centuries. We had to go WAY up to a remote spot on the top of one of the mountains--I'm talking nose bleed elevation. It was very lush and unspoiled. The palace is basically a series of well constructed huts with spacious courtyards. It isn't opulent like palaces in other cultures. Very simple and basic. However, you know you're in a special place. I had to offer him gifts of wine, juice, honey, and a small financial offering. When we arrived, my guide gave an official my gifts. We had to wait about 15 minutes to see whether he would receive me and my party. The official summoned us to his throne, which is in a large courtyard surrounded by benches for official guests and dignitaries. Women and men were ordered to stand on different sides of the throne. We had to bow while he looked at us quietly. My guide spoke to him in the Kom language and explained the reason for our visit. He didn't say anything to me at first. He was interested in talking to one of my companions who's family is part of the royal family. He chatted with her and then requested we sit across the courtyard. He spoke to my guide and then there was a long, long silence. He finally requested I come to his throne. An official placed a traditional wrap around my waist. He spoke and my guide interpreted him saying he hoped he lived long enough for all Kom children to return home from around the world to help the tribe improve its condition. Then he gave me and my daughter our African names. I am Nayah (ni-ya) and my daughter is Niih (nuh) I wanted to get names for my brothers but I was told they would have to come and receive them. Then he presented me with a live chicken and told me to take it as a blessing. (And yes I have pictures!) He dismissed me. After a few minutes he summoned me back. He had two little girls beside him. They were named Nayah and Niih. He asked me what would I do for them. At first I was scared because I thought he might want me to adopt them or something:-) I hesitated for a second and said that I'd happy to do whatever I could for them. That was the FIRST time he smiled at me. He dismissed me again. Then we were told that the audience was over. As we were leaving, he requested I come back and view the woman's section of the palace. He apologized for not asking us to stay to eat, but the rains were coming and didn't want me to be stranded up on the mountain. (The roads are treacherous there.) That concluded the visit. Seems like a dream . . .
So let me give you highlights of my trip to Belo
***Went to a Baptist church service in the village. Interesting to note two similarities of black baptist churches at home and in the baptist church in the village--the choir/singing was absolutely fantastic and the service lasted WAY to long--hahaha
***Visited a program to help widows in two other villages. A moving experience. In both they called me their long lost daughter who has returned home to help them. Many women were visibly emotional to see me and in both places they sang impromptu tribal songs to welcome me. I was so overcome by emotion that I literally thought I was going to pass out.
***Took a trip to the palace of the leader of the Kom (Tikar) people. He's an older man in his 90's. His title is the Fon (phone)and his blood line for this title goes back for centuries. We had to go WAY up to a remote spot on the top of one of the mountains--I'm talking nose bleed elevation. It was very lush and unspoiled. The palace is basically a series of well constructed huts with spacious courtyards. It isn't opulent like palaces in other cultures. Very simple and basic. However, you know you're in a special place. I had to offer him gifts of wine, juice, honey, and a small financial offering. When we arrived, my guide gave an official my gifts. We had to wait about 15 minutes to see whether he would receive me and my party. The official summoned us to his throne, which is in a large courtyard surrounded by benches for official guests and dignitaries. Women and men were ordered to stand on different sides of the throne. We had to bow while he looked at us quietly. My guide spoke to him in the Kom language and explained the reason for our visit. He didn't say anything to me at first. He was interested in talking to one of my companions who's family is part of the royal family. He chatted with her and then requested we sit across the courtyard. He spoke to my guide and then there was a long, long silence. He finally requested I come to his throne. An official placed a traditional wrap around my waist. He spoke and my guide interpreted him saying he hoped he lived long enough for all Kom children to return home from around the world to help the tribe improve its condition. Then he gave me and my daughter our African names. I am Nayah (ni-ya) and my daughter is Niih (nuh) I wanted to get names for my brothers but I was told they would have to come and receive them. Then he presented me with a live chicken and told me to take it as a blessing. (And yes I have pictures!) He dismissed me. After a few minutes he summoned me back. He had two little girls beside him. They were named Nayah and Niih. He asked me what would I do for them. At first I was scared because I thought he might want me to adopt them or something:-) I hesitated for a second and said that I'd happy to do whatever I could for them. That was the FIRST time he smiled at me. He dismissed me again. Then we were told that the audience was over. As we were leaving, he requested I come back and view the woman's section of the palace. He apologized for not asking us to stay to eat, but the rains were coming and didn't want me to be stranded up on the mountain. (The roads are treacherous there.) That concluded the visit. Seems like a dream . . .
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