Nso’ Cultural and Spiritual Objects Identified in the Linden Museum: Their Uses Then and Now!�A Case for Restitution
Prepared by
Edward FONYUY BULAMI
Research consultant with Sysy House of Fame
Postgraduate School of Arts
The University of Bamenda
Cameroon
Civil Society Organization
SYSY’S HOUSE OF FAME
Object 1: Throne taken from Nso’ by Houben
Throne hosted in the Linden Museum, Stuttgard, Germany
The use of the throne (Kava’) in the royal Caravan ritual dance:
Identifiable Objects(From rear to front: 1) The throne, Kava’ 2) The white royal dance tail (ceremonial duster), deng in the Fon’s right hand and the Royal staff in the left hand, 3) The ritual gourd (kighin ke wong) held in both hands by the priestess of the land (Yeewong), 4)The ritual bag (Kibam ke wong) slung on the left shoulder by the elderly priestess and 5) the royal gun held in combat position by Shufaay Ndzeendzev, the first Great Lord (Kibay) of Nso’ Fondom
Fon’s caravan returning from sacrifices at the Shrine at Squares Kumbo
The objects carried by members of the caravan include the kitem ke wong (sacred calabash), the ceremonial duster and the royal staff, the kibam ke wong (ritual bag), the throne
More view of the Fon’s caravan with Ritual objects
Ritual objects (vifa ve ntangri) including: nko’ (the ritual basket), kibam ke wong (ritual bag), kitem ke wong (ritual calabash) kibam ke ntangri (ritual bag) and kava’ (the thone)
Used thrones (aKava’) preserved in the Nso’ Palace
These thrones remain active as they were when in use. They are selected for use during sacrifices and rituals
Objects 2: VIKA’ from Gham and Ba’ warriors Societies
War strategies and protection for warriors were planned round the Vika’
Vika’ (pl) (Kika’): Sacred Manjong calabashes adorned with decomposed gums of captured war enemies
One belongs to the Manjong Gham and the other to Manjong Ba’. Manjong is the traditional warriors society that waged and fought intertribal wars in the days of expansion and search for survival. Each time an enemy was killed at the war front, he was beheaded and the head taken in celebration to the Central manjong lodge in the Palace. Such an heroic act was compensated with a red feather and a title. Contemporary Manjong is engaged in community mobilization towards development endeavours and social and cultural celebrations.
Mfoome Gham and Mfoome Ba’ leading the Vika’ caravan out of the Fon’s Section of the Palace where they are lodged in a sacred shrine. They both are holding in their right hands the vika’ ritual staff
During the display of Vika’ cult dance, the carriers of Vika’ serve the initiated members raffia wine from the calabashes and they receive it with traditional cups designed for the cult held in their left hands.
Manjong warriors spears (kong manjong) and guns preserved in the Nso’ Palace
The spears are adorned with charms and talisman said to be efficacious in targeting enemies with miss. Oken Besides the spears (first from left) are calabashes, the broken one being the gun powder carrier (Mbir)
A Rear view of the vika’
Membership in this cult is by initiated. Violation of the calabash or rules of the cult leads to serious migraine attacks which treatment is only got through reversal from the cult. Slung from right shoulder to below left armpit are the scabbards (sheaths) in which are swords.
Bar Kighaa is a sub-cult of Kika’ and these are lodged in compounds away from the Palace
Members do a self-protective ritual when they assemble round the kika’ or Bar kighaa
Object 3: The Royal sword (nyuy)
This sword is used during Manjong assemblies and is always preserved in a sheath which is slung across the shoulders by initiated members of manjong
Object 4: The Royal scabbard (Kiburu ke shwa’ mbam)
Designed to be used solely by the Fon of Nso’. No traditional dignitary has the permission to use it. It sheaths the royal sword.
Preserved Royal Dishes including the mbir for gun powder preservation (calabash placed on the throne at the rear)
Mbir is a replica of the calabash found in the Linden Museum
Objects 5: Royal necklaces (Sarkinchiy)
Royal necklaces are designed in different shapes and designs and are used during different occasions
A View of the Royal necklaces (Sarkinchiy), cap, and staff used during cultural and Religious ceremonies
These necklaces (sarkinchiy) change depending on the event. A Fon without a necklace is like a Catholic Bishop with a crosier
Objects 6: Royal armbands (vifa ve koy)
Complementary Dressing bracelet. Complementing the royal necklaces
Objects 7: The Royal cap lodged in the Linden Museum
Cap taken away by Houben
A close shot at the Royal cap (ntara’) and the necklace (sarkinchiy)
Royal caps are different depending on the design. The appellation is also defined by the design and shape
A Rear view of the design of the royal cap (vibu’ vibaa)
The Fon is engaged in the kigha’ royal dance led by Yeenwerong after returning from the shrine where they performed sacrifices
Vibu’ vibaa (royal cap)
This is replica of the royal cap in the Linden Museum in Germany
Successive Fons of Nso’ wearing dfferent designs of Royal caps
(From right to left) Fon Ngah Bi’fon I (1910-1947 ), SEHM III (1947-1972), Ngah Bi’fon II,(1972-1983), and Ngah Bi’fon III (1983-1993)
Royal necklace at the enthronment of a Fon of Nso’
Fon Sehm Mbinglo I and his priest (Faay Taawong) a day after his enthronment in September 1993
Display of Manjong calabashes at the mourning of a member
This was in Faanjang Compound in Kumbo during the mourning rites of Mfoorme Gham
Objects 8: Manjong rallying bell (Mbiir manjong)
Each of the two warriors societies (Gham and Ba’) use the bell to summon and rally members towards war or mobilization towards a cultural event or community development. Both bells from the two societies were taken away by Houben
Object 9: VISA’ (Hand hanging beads)
Complementary dressing hand beads for the royal necklace
Object 10: Beaded Royal necklace (njoy) with a talisman attached
This royal necklace is conceived to act as protection for the Fon. The talisman attached to the lower part is spiritually empowered. It is worn across from one’s shoulder to under the armpit of the other shoulder, with the talisman designed to comfortably fit into the armpit of the wearer. Masquerades wear similar necklaces nut not adorned with any royal material
Kighev Shuu, the masquerade with powers to unearth any evil planted on the land
The necklace it is wearing is called kika’ta’ and is protective on the wearer. It is empowered with Talisman
Object 11: Kibam ke shiv (Medicine Bag)
Each cult or personality in Nso’ has their unique medicine bag. The royal medicine bag is specially design to reflect royalty
Members of wanmabu’ saamba wir with a medicine bag (kibm ke shiv)
The medicine bag of each cult is loaded with sacred items known only by those initiated into each cult. Each medicine bag contains items capable of protecting each member against spiritual and physical attacks
Object 12: Kiseer ke arim (hood of a wizard)
This hood was worn by the Jwi Nwerong during the reign of Sehm II (1875-1907). Fon Sehm III (1947-1972) introduced the design used in present day but which has witnessed modifications over time.
Jwi Nwerong display
This masquerade uses a waist belt (Vifam) with beaded trim just as the Fon uses it when he is dressing for a religious or cultural ceremony. The hood is described as kinseer ke rim (hood of a wizard)
Object 13: Vifam ve ndzeiy (Royal waist belt for loin dressing
The waist belt (vifam ve ndzeiy) is used to fasten the loincloth used as traditional or cultural dressing by the Fon. Since the masguerade called Jwi Nwerong is said to be the Fon’s masquerade in the Nwerong Society, it equally uses the waist belt
Object 14: Ceremonial duster (deng)
Ceremonial dusters were obtained from Horses of invading enemies, especially from the horses of the Danfolio army that fought on horse back. When an enemy soldier was killed alongside the horse, the tail was cut off as proof of the heroic act. The tails were thus crafted into a dance object and reserved only for the Fon. This was after ritual performances over it. The black tail was taken away by Houben while the white has survived till date.
The Fon in a dancing mood with the ceremonial duster (tail)
This is the attire that the Fon uses the waist belt with beaded trim. The royal cap has been reinforced with the emmollient leaf because of the nature of the cultural event the Fon has to take part in
Object 15: Mbi’ manjong (gunpowder storage gourd)
Manjong gunpowder is stored in this crafted calabash to ensure its humidity level and preservation. The Warrior society General (Mfoome) collects it from the Fon each time they go to war or for a cultural celebration and then shares the gunpowder to manjong warriors.
Object 16: ROYAL PIPE (KI’NG)
Used by the Fon for different health purposes
Observation