Mankon
Encyclopedia
Mankon is a geo-historic community constituting a large part of Bamenda
in Cameroon
, formed as an amalgamation of about five different ethnic groups. The Mankon fondom
(kingdom) represents one of the oldest monarchies of the grassfield people of the Northwest Province. The fondom is ruled by a 'fon' (king) with rights to kinghood acquired by birth. The crowned fon is usually a designated son of the deceased king, a child who was born only during his reign.
forces, in a conflict that became known as the Battle of Mankon. German colonial forces, allied with the Bali
people, were led by Eugene Zintgraff and severely outnumbered the Mankon. The first two conflicts saw the German and Bali force, armed with guns and cannons, defeated at the hands of the spear- and machete-toting Mankon warriors. Some of Zintgraff's men had to flee on foot to as far as Babungo
. But the Mankon people were finally defeated in a third conflict in 1901.
The Mankon community remained under German control until after World War I
, when northwestern Cameroon became a British mandate territory
. This situation remained until the British-administered Cameroons
achieved independence in 1961.
Mankon Is Affiliated With Macuda The World-Wide Associations That Helps
Fund Needy Places in Mankon. It Holds conventions annually and discusses
The problems that need to be solved in Cameroon
.
The most convenient time to visit the Mankon fondom is during the December and New Year periods when the kingdom has its annual dance, during which the people celebrate and also have the rare occasion of mixing with the fon. Festivities may last a week and it is a great time for cultural display. Such festivities give the Mankon people the opportunity to savor the varied rhythms of African music and to meet expert drummers and musicians of the kingdom.
Bamenda
Bamenda, also known as Abakwa and Mankon Town, is a city in northwestern Cameroon and capital of the North West Province. The city had a population of 269,530 at the 2005 Census, and is located 366 km north-west of the Cameroonian capital, Yaoundé...
in 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...
, formed as an amalgamation of about five different ethnic groups. The Mankon fondom
Fon (title)
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...
(kingdom) represents one of the oldest monarchies of the grassfield people of the Northwest Province. The fondom is ruled by a 'fon' (king) with rights to kinghood acquired by birth. The crowned fon is usually a designated son of the deceased king, a child who was born only during his reign.
Colonial history
In the late 19th century, the Mankon people fought against German colonialGerman colonial empire
The German colonial empire was an overseas domain formed in the late 19th century as part of the German Empire. Short-lived colonial efforts by individual German states had occurred in preceding centuries, but Imperial Germany's colonial efforts began in 1884...
forces, in a conflict that became known as the Battle of Mankon. German colonial forces, allied with the Bali
Bali, Cameroon
Bali is a town and commune in Cameroon, lying west of Bamenda. It has a population of 32,000 . Formerly the centre of a kingdom, it is known for its palace and its regular festival....
people, were led by Eugene Zintgraff and severely outnumbered the Mankon. The first two conflicts saw the German and Bali force, armed with guns and cannons, defeated at the hands of the spear- and machete-toting Mankon warriors. Some of Zintgraff's men had to flee on foot to as far as Babungo
Babungo
Babungo may refer to:*the Babungo village located in the Northwest of Cameroon;*the ethnic group of the Babungo people;*the Babungo language;*things originating from the culture or tradition of the Babungo people....
. But the Mankon people were finally defeated in a third conflict in 1901.
The Mankon community remained under German control until after World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, when northwestern Cameroon became a British mandate territory
League of Nations mandate
A League of Nations mandate was a legal status for certain territories transferred from the control of one country to another following World War I, or the legal instruments that contained the internationally agreed-upon terms for administering the territory on behalf of the League...
. This situation remained until the British-administered Cameroons
Cameroons
British Cameroons was a British Mandate territory in West Africa, now divided between Nigeria and Cameroon.The area of present-day Cameroon was claimed by Germany as a protectorate during the "Scramble for Africa" at the end of the 19th century...
achieved independence in 1961.
Mankon Is Affiliated With Macuda The World-Wide Associations That Helps
Fund Needy Places in Mankon. It Holds conventions annually and discusses
The problems that need to be solved in 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...
.
Tourism
Mankon plays host to several tourism conveniences amongst which is a modern museum located at the 'ntoh', the palace of the fon, and is opened to the public. This museum constitutes a major tourist destination in Northwest Province, with a gallery of art and craft dating back several centuries.The most convenient time to visit the Mankon fondom is during the December and New Year periods when the kingdom has its annual dance, during which the people celebrate and also have the rare occasion of mixing with the fon. Festivities may last a week and it is a great time for cultural display. Such festivities give the Mankon people the opportunity to savor the varied rhythms of African music and to meet expert drummers and musicians of the kingdom.