Fon Lekunze A.N.
III,Paramount Fon of Bamumbu, First Class Chiefdom of the Mundani Tribe in
Wabane Sub Division, Lebialem Division in the Southwest Region of Cameroon.
Many people would want to know about those first
steps that you took.
I was born in 1976 in
Nchingang, Bamumbu. Born of His Majesty Fon Lekunze J.C. III, Paramount Fon of
Bamumbu at the time and of Suzan Manyi-Cha Lekunze who is still alive. My Grand Father
Fon Lekunze II was a member of house of chiefs in Buea meanwhile my father
became a member of Parliament as an independent candidate for the Mamfe North Constituency from 1962 to 1967.
 |
| HRM Fon Lekunze AN III seen here at the Maiden Edition of the Southwest Cultural Festival in handshake with the entourage of the Secretary General at the Ministry of Arts and Culture in Kumba(-Prof Asheri Kilo, Private Secretary to the minister seen here in glasses directly in-front of Fon Lekunze) |
I went to Primary
School at Government School Bamumbu from where I graduated in the 1988-1989
Academic year. I obtained my GCE O levels from GHS Batibo and my GCE A Levels
from Presbyterian Comprehensive High School Kumbo.
I understand you had an
early start in your professional life..
Yes, after my A levels,
I moved to Douala where I picked up a job at the Douala Sea Port in Ship
maintenance. I later worked with SODISMI SARL as a Logistic Agent and Shipshandler.
I was later employed by Cameroon Ship Yard and Industrial Engineering Limite (Chantier Naval).
Did you continue your
studies?
I did. After (Chantier
Naval) I enrolled into the University of Yaounde II Soa in 2006 from where I
obtained a Bachelors Degree in Political Science in 2009.
 |
| In the heart of the SW Cultural Festival with Royal Staff |
So how did your
professional life continue?
In September 2009 I was recruited by REDDYS GLOBAL Industries Limited in Douala as a Marketing
Executive. I occupied the positions of Marketing
and sales executive for the Douala Market Zone,
the Far North Region, the South Region, and the East Region from where I left in
January 2013 to answer destiny’s call.
When did the royal-call came knocking?
I was enthroned on January 20th , 2013 and later installed on the 23rd of March 2013.
Most of modern Royalty
like you, fall in the educated class and at the same time you hold the royal
flame. How do you reconcile all of this considering the fact that you are
equally a Christian?
I am a born Christian of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon like my parents and I try to reconcile tradition and Christianity because all things come from god. Presently I am almost completing my studies at the International Relations Institute of Cameroon where I am pursuing studies to obtain a Professional Masters Degree in International Cooperation, humanitarian Action and Sustainable Development. These studies could only enrich my traditional position because I am an in-depth cultural lover and practitioner
Could you briefly say something
on the history, Ethnicity and geography of your Division of origin?
My Division of origin is
Lebialem. The Native Authority of Mundani and the Bangwa Native Authority which existed in the
1940s were later merged for administrative purposes to create the Bangwa-Mundani District which forms the bases of the
present day Lebialem Division. As concerns the ethnicity of the
people, Lebialem Division is made up of two distinct tribes: The Mundani Tribe and the Bangwa Tribe. The Bangwa tribe has a Bamilike origin from the Western Region while the Mundani people originated from Widikum which was then in the Southwest
Region. Geographically Lebialem shares
boundaries with the West and Northwest Regions.
Could you throw some
light on the Ecotourism potential of your kingdom?
Bamumbu is the only habitable Caldera in Cameroon. It is located in the
extreme northern parts of the Southwest Region between the Northwest and West Regions,
sharing boundaries with Momo Division and Mezam
Division in the West, Bambutous Division in the North, Menoua Division in the East and Manyu Division in the South with the
rest of the tribe. The highest point is Mount Bambutous called Mangwa in the Bamumbu Language from where River
Meyi picks its rise. River Meyi cuts between the entire Mundani tribe and is the
main tributary of River Manyu. Bamumbu is a natural hub of biodiversity and home
to Echinops gigantus. It has a diversity of climates ranging from tropical,
temperate and humid climates. It is characterized with mountains like Mt.
Bambutous, Mt Magha and mt. Sufe with several hills and extensive ranges
covered with beautiful greenery. It has waterfalls like the Ndoe and Metsep
waterfalls, deep valleys and boulders, river meanders amongst others. The Kingdom
is rich in wildlife and fauna especially with the presence of the Tofela
Wildlife Sanctuary which is home to endemic species of gorillas, birds and several reptiles in the area.
The historic Bamumbu Palace and
its colourful annual cultural festivals remain another major attraction. It features colourful traditional dances, Tug of
war, crafts exhibition and exhibition of delicious traditional dishes, agricultural
exhibition and a host of traditional displays. The people are warmly welcoming,
hardworking, dynamic and friendly. It is an exceptional tourist destination to
discover though enclaved.
 |
| Ecotourism Haven |
Many huge African Tribes have a warlike and fighting background. Is this true of Bamumbu?
Many huge African Tribes have a warlike and fighting background. Is this true of Bamumbu?
Historically it
is true of the Bamumbu people. They were very instrumental in
the elimination of the marquisards movement in Cameroon, specifically in the western
front around the territory of mt. Bambutous. Today the Bamumbus are a peace loving people living peacefully with their numerous neighbours in the midst of several land disputes waiting for government
to pass judgment trough its constituted land commissions. The people are law abiding and respect state institutions. It is a
tradition from the 1900s that the people of Bamumbu and
the entire Mundani tribe have always stood by government. Though the area remains very enclaved and backward we don’t
want to feel abandoned by government because we know everything has its appointed time and our turn will come one day. An African
proverb states that a patient dog eats the fattest bone.
Message?
Mine is a message of
love for one's nation and a message of patriotism. Loving oneself and loving
your neighbor as yourself. Loving
Bamumbu, Wabane,Lebialem, the Southwest Region and our dear father land Cameroon and standing by it at all times.
cameroonpeople.blogspot.com/ Email: francoeko@gmail.com/ edevnewspaper@gmail.com/ Tel: +237691755578/ +237678401408
No comments:
Post a Comment