Today dear friends, I write to share with you the Celebration of the life and death of my father, Fon (King) of the Oku Fondom (Kingdom ) in Bui Division, of the north west region of Cameroon, HRM Fon Sentieh ll that took place from the end of February 2025 to early March 2025.It is a tradition in the Oku Kingdom to celebrate the life and death of the missing King and this always embody traditional rites and cultural manifestations that demonstrates the cultural diversity of the people. Oku is a beautiful and cultural-rich town that offers visitors a unique glimpse in the traditional way of life of the Oku people.
°Location of Oku in Cameroon:
Oku is a sub division in Bui division, in the north west region of Cameroon. Oku is a rural area containing about 36 Villages with the population of about 180000 inhabitants. The nearer big City is Bamenda. However Kumbo is the closest with just about 24 kilometers from Elak, the headquarters of the subdivision. You can actually take about 70minutes by car to reach Kumbo due to the poor road network. However, mobile telephone network like MTN, Camtel and Orange are available in Oku to ease communication.
√ HRM, Fon (King), Sentieh ll:
As tradition demands, after Fon ( King ) Sentieh ll, passing away, a new Fon is put in place who along with the traditional authority of the Fondom organises a grand death Celebration that brings both the internal and external elites together to celebrate the life and death of the Fon. This also witnesses the participations of the friendly Fondoms ( Kingdoms), like Kom, Nso, Mankon, Babungo, Din, Mbiame etc.
√HRM Fon ( King ), Ngum IV**:
HRM Fon Ngum IV ( Ngum Ernest Merlin Shang ) is the current ruling Monarch of the Oku Monarchy or Kingdom. He joins the entire Oku Kingdom, the royal family, the kwifon and ngiri societies to ensure that the celebration is a success. He also host all the visiting kings and ensures that they are well taken care of during their stay in the palace, during the period of the death Celebration. And considering the fact that there's enough to eat and drink, and enough space to sleep, no one shouldn't be mistreated. Meanwhile maximum security is also ensured.
° CUltural Manifestations during the death Celebration at Oku Palace:
Thank you all for being part of the celebration in pictures. Your friend Mnkong Emmanuel Saah
Images source: Facebook
