Essence goes along with identity … says HRM Fon Fontem Njifua
Courtesy of Mbi Dr. Asa'ah Nkohkwo & Sian Cartensen in UK
While in Canning Town, UK, His Majesty Fon Fontem Njifua echoed that great philosophers have told us that the nature of Being expresses itself in its essence and existence. This means that each and every one of us as human persons, express ourselves as who we are and in how we exist. While essence has to do with what makes us unique, existence has to do with how we relate with each other, he emphasised.
Addressing his people in the UK, he said, a citizen of Fontem remains essentially a citizen of Fontem, no matter where they live and what they have become, because in each and everyone of us, flows the blood of our ancestors who were the fathers and founders of our tribe and Kingdom of Fontem, and in so far as this blood flows in our veins, we are in essence people of Fontem and there is absolutely nothing that can change this essence. Essence goes along with identity and it is this identity that portrays us as a people who have a common heritage. This identity consists in culture, behavioural patterns, language, eating habits, dress code etc. This means that if people from Fontem cannot be identified with all the above as a people, then they are striving to do the impossible of departing from and destroying their own essence as a people.
He observed that gathering in Canning was the essential feeling of being Bangwas, of being Cameroonians and of being human beings. His Majesty went on to say, in existence, man is essentially a being of relation. No man is an island, and man can only realize his potentials in so far as he relates with other people in society, no matter their race, creed, colour, educational standing and financial capabilities. It is this relational part of us that enables us as essentially Bangwa people to be able to live and relate well with all peoples from all backgrounds in the United Kingdom. The matter of existence of the human being enables a person to be open to accept new cultures, adopt new behavioural patterns, eat foreign foods and live in peace with every other human being.
In his book Roots, Alex Harvey seeks to trace his steps back to his ancestral home after so many generations of slavery. It is the yearning for his homeland and for his identity that enabled this great writer to embark on such a magnanimous adventure. He explained that all the people of Fontem have their roots in Fontem and no matter how removed their generations, their can trace their roots in Fontem if they are truly sons or daughters of that soil.
Many people from Bangwa have been away from home for many years, and they have had children, some of whom have been born abroad and have never been home. His Royal Majesty, Fon Fontem Njifua, visited UK in the capacity of traditional ruler and custodian of the Bangwa Tradition to call on his sons and daughters, never to forget their roots. They are what they are because of their roots. “In tales and in myths, hand over your tradition to your children and tell them where they come from. Although you have to live abroad and integrate into society well, never forget your roots and do not throw away the very culture that gives you your identity. You must therefore strike a balance between being essentially Bangwa and in your existence as residents in the United Kingdom”.
Solidifying your roots entails maintaining ties at home and carrying out investments at home which will serve as a hot line between you and your roots. There are people here whose father’s compounds have fallen in the village and yet they live in great mansions out here. When there is death in the family,they send people in advance to come and clear grass from the compound before they dare to come home. And when they eventually come, they go and stay in hotels because they don’t have a real home to go to. I urge you all to come home from time to time, and establish a home at home in which you can truly feel at home.
In your essence as Fontem people in particular and as Cameroonians in general, he used the opportunity to exhort them to be united, as he reminded them that “Unity is Power”; “United they stand, divided they fall”. Being far away from their home land, families and friends, they should remain a family to each other, he cautioned. “There should be more that unites you than divide you in the United Kingdom and each man should be his brother’s keeper. Unity is the fruit of love and Love is what binds people together. This love should manifest itself through cooperation in the events of births, successes in school and promotions, Njangi Group meetings, death celebrations and other important events”.
Thinking back home, In their essence as Bangwa people in particular and Cameroonians in general, they must always ask what they have done for their country and not what their country has done for them. “Instead of asking what Fontem has done for you, ask what you have done for Fontem, and there is a lot you can do. The giving of ten Pounds a year as scholarship to an underprivileged child in the primary school is to bring sunshine to someone’s future. The adoption of a hospital bed in the hospital at home will be to save someone’s life. Your contribution to establishing internet at home will be to connect Fontem to the rest of the world. These are all small ways to do something for your own people.”
In their existence as Bangwa people in particular and Cameroonians in general, His Royal Majesty urged his people to be law abiding and respect all the internal regulations of the United Kingdom. Although the United Nations Charter on the Universal Declaration of Human rights guarantees freedom of movement and immigration, this takes place effectively on the rules governing such movements by various countries. This means that people are not in the United Kingdom on their own terms but on the terms set down by Her Majesty’s Government. To be proper citizens people must respect all the rules of their host country and be law abiding, shunning all crime and show that they are a God fearing people.
Although essence and existence are philosophical concepts, they are also practical concepts, and that is why in his talk, he believes people should not just philosophize on concepts but make them practical in their daily living.
Prince Asong - aka Jens is named!
The King of Bangwa... HRM Fon Fontem Njifua, 1st Class Chief in Cameroon and paramount ruler of the Fontem kingdom visited Oakfield on January 29 where he arrived in a special convoy with his chief of protocol preceding him to set up his throne in the drawing room. He was then serenaded into Oakfield with a procession of his tribal artefacts and a royal gong!
The official line-up to greet him in the hall at Oakfield consisted of Hazel, Kaj, Sian, Phil, Cynthia, Debbie, Josh, Sylvia, Glynn, Louisa, Charlotte, Anyi and Ateh. We all had to bow to him, clap our hands 3 times and say "MOH" to which he responded with a very warm smile. Once we had all been formally presented to him we were able to relax and enjoy his company. He is highly charismatic, very intelligent and extremely interested in our different cultures. He is also very keen to foster, strengthen and progress the existing strong relationships between Cameroon and the UK.
In recognition of the special close relationship with the Fon’s European Ambassador, Dr Asa'ah Nkokhwo, the King formally accepted Jens Heler from Sian Cartensen’s family (Asaah's godson) into his royal family and honoured him with a special Bangwa name, that of his grandfather Prince Fontem Asonganyi Jens Heler ... to be known as Prince Asong !
His Majesty, Fon Fontem Njifua, recalled that in 1936, his grandfather, HRM the late King Fon Fontem Asonganyi, was the only king in Cameroon presented with the Union Jack, by the British colonial agents in recognition of his collaboration and support. He told the Cartensen’s family that Fontem Asonganyi was a very powerful man, a great leader, very honourable and a shining example to all. In the culture of Bangwa any name bestowed upon a child by the Fon means that the child will grow up with the same characteristics of the person named after. With this, Jens Heler could one day be head of the UN!
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