Achirimbi II
Encyclopedia
Achirimbi II was the tenth king or Fon of Bafut
who ruled over the town of Bafut and adjoining areas (the Fondom of Bafut) in a semi-autonomous fashion. His reign lasted from 1932 to 1968, and included the time of handover from the British
protectorate of British Cameroon to the independent country of Cameroon
. He was preceded by Abumbi I and succeeded by Abumbi II.
He alienated himself from other Fons
by being sympathetic to the British cause. He was awarded a Certificate of Honour in 1946 by the British government 'as a record of the valuable services rendered by him to his own country and people and to the British Government... and loyal services given to the Administration in the maintenance of good order'.
Achirimbi II took advantage of his favourable standing with the administration and sought compensation for loss of sovereignty to arrogate to himself the residual powers the sub-chiefs or the Atangchuo, had retained over land matters and other disputes.
He was befriended by the famous naturalist Gerald Durrell
, who visited Bafut on his animal-collecting expeditions twice in 1949 and 1957. The Fon helped Durrell substantially in these expeditions. The books written by Durrell about these expeditions - The Bafut Beagles and A Zoo in My Luggage - portray the Fon mostly in a humorous fashion, lampoon
ing his polygamy
, anglophily and high tolerance for alcohol
, but also in more flattering ways as well. The Fon awarded Durrell the ceremonial dress and staff during his second expedition.
Fon Achirimbi II is famous for having remarked about the choice to join independent Cameroon or independent Nigeria
from the British Cameroons in 1961, saying it was a choice between the "Fire and the Deep Sea".
He was considered by many as being progressive and willing to experiment with new ideas. He was treated with respect by both colonial administrators and nationalist politicians.
Fon of Bafut
The Fon of Bafut is the fon or Mfor of the town of Bafut and its adjoining areas in the Northwest Province, Cameroon which comprise the erstwhile Fondom of Bafut. Presently, the Fon of Bafut is still a local ruler, but under jurisdiction from the Government of Cameroon, and a board of Fons...
who ruled over the town of Bafut and adjoining areas (the Fondom of Bafut) in a semi-autonomous fashion. His reign lasted from 1932 to 1968, and included the time of handover from the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
protectorate of British Cameroon to the independent country of Cameroon
Cameroon
Cameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon , is a country in west Central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west; Chad to the northeast; the Central African Republic to the east; and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to the south. Cameroon's coastline lies on the...
. He was preceded by Abumbi I and succeeded by Abumbi II.
He alienated himself from other Fons
Fon (Cameroon)
A fon is a chieftain or king of a region of Cameroon, especially among the Tikar and Bamiléké peoples of the Bamenda grassfields . Though once independent rulers, most fons were brought under the German rule or military subjugation during the colonial period...
by being sympathetic to the British cause. He was awarded a Certificate of Honour in 1946 by the British government 'as a record of the valuable services rendered by him to his own country and people and to the British Government... and loyal services given to the Administration in the maintenance of good order'.
Achirimbi II took advantage of his favourable standing with the administration and sought compensation for loss of sovereignty to arrogate to himself the residual powers the sub-chiefs or the Atangchuo, had retained over land matters and other disputes.
He was befriended by the famous naturalist Gerald Durrell
Gerald Durrell
Gerald "Gerry" Malcolm Durrell, OBE was a naturalist, zookeeper, conservationist, author and television presenter...
, who visited Bafut on his animal-collecting expeditions twice in 1949 and 1957. The Fon helped Durrell substantially in these expeditions. The books written by Durrell about these expeditions - The Bafut Beagles and A Zoo in My Luggage - portray the Fon mostly in a humorous fashion, lampoon
Parody
A parody , in current usage, is an imitative work created to mock, comment on, or trivialise an original work, its subject, author, style, or some other target, by means of humorous, satiric or ironic imitation...
ing his polygamy
Polygamy
Polygamy is a marriage which includes more than two partners...
, anglophily and high tolerance for alcohol
Alcoholic beverage
An alcoholic beverage is a drink containing ethanol, commonly known as alcohol. Alcoholic beverages are divided into three general classes: beers, wines, and spirits. They are legally consumed in most countries, and over 100 countries have laws regulating their production, sale, and consumption...
, but also in more flattering ways as well. The Fon awarded Durrell the ceremonial dress and staff during his second expedition.
Fon Achirimbi II is famous for having remarked about the choice to join independent Cameroon or independent Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
from the British Cameroons in 1961, saying it was a choice between the "Fire and the Deep Sea".
He was considered by many as being progressive and willing to experiment with new ideas. He was treated with respect by both colonial administrators and nationalist politicians.