Today dear friends and audience of this darling space community. I wish to share with you, this time again on a very interesting story about the Grass Cutting ceremony (Ebwiy Kembaah), an annual ritual in Oku, that brings the Oku Sons and daughters together, on the invitation of their Monarch HRH Ngum IV, the custodian of the culture and traditions of the people. Before I proceed, permit me make a brief description of the Oku land and it's people.
° Oku is located in the North west region of Cameroon, specifically within Bui Division. It's a rural area with approximately 36 Villages and a population of about 180000. The area is known for its rich culture and biodiversity, including "kilum mountain".
° Oku is the home of the Oku people, a distinct ethnic group with their own language: "Eblam Ebkuo" ( Oku language ), although English is widely used or spoken.
*✓ The Kingdom and its people is ruled by a Monarch HRH Ngum IV. Oku is known for its culture, traditions, and spiritual significance especially with Mount Oku/Kilum.
This land of the Oku people, has a Crater lake at the summit of Mount Oku. Oku is also notable for many features, like the forest that serves as a habitat for the Bannerman's Tauraco ( a red-feathered bird ).
° Oku Grass Cutting ceremony
✓ The Oku Grass Cutting ceremony ( Ebwiy Kembaah ) was successfully carried out in an atmosphere of peace and unity.
The grass cutting ceremony took place in a village, precisely at "Ebfon ebkwaak" a quarter in Oku. Despite unfavorable weather conditions, and with the heavy downpour of rain, the narrative was soon change due to the arrival of the man known for the deviation of the course of the rain.
In Oku, during occasion like the Grass Cutting ceremony it is possible to change the course of the rain in the troposphere, mystically. And that's just what happened during the ceremony. This was the most important and amazing part of the grass cutting ceremony, infact seeing the rain halted and the course/direction also changed mystically seemed very magical.
✓ This year 2025 grass cutting festival stands out as one of the most remarkable among many great celebrations in recent years. A powerful sign followed the ritual at the sacred grass hill..a gentle rain began to fall just as the ritual got finished at the hill site and the participants were leaving. It is believed that the brief rain before the deviation of the direction, was a sign of divine acknowledgement that the gods of the Land had accepted the rituals.
✓ Indeed the gods of the land are wise according to the belief of people of the land of Oku. Every Son and daughter of the land felt the impact of the mystical manoeuvre that halted and diverted the rain.
° The Ritual at the Palace Courtyard
✓ At the palace courtyard, the participants of the Grass Cutting, all gathered to be fed. Fufu corn and vegetables, kola nut, and Palm wine is shared to all present. The meal according to the tradition and customs of the people is more than just a meal, it has a spiritual significance. This is a spiritual nourishment, which serves as communion, for it is a sacred food of the Oku people.
✓ This festival was opened to all the sons and daughters of the soil, as the monarch emphasized the need for the people to respect the tradition and customs of the land.
✓ The monarch used the occasion and called upon his subjects to be peace loving, and to work towards the development of the Kingdom.
✓ The cultural events brought together the living forces in Oku and out of the Kingdom. The monarch also used the opportunity to call on his kinsmen to cultivate the spirit of Unity and love for one another, as these are ways through which development can come to Oku.
✓ Noting that the festival was opened to all the sons and daughters of the soil, the monarch emphasized the need for the people "to respect their tradition and culture as it is their identity".
° Infact this ceremony echoed the importance of cultural diversity. I am proud to belong and to uphold the tradition and culture of our land, Oku the land of Mkong Moteh, our ancestor. Our culture, our identity
