By Bakah Derick
The paramount Fon of Nkwen has delivered his new year message to Nkwen sons and daughters with a firm call for the respect of culture and diligence on matters of land sells, funerals amongst others. HRM Fon Azehfor III was speaking on Tuesday 4 January 2022 in a rare outing at the start of the new year since his ascension to the throne.
In the slightly above 14mins message, the Fon began with the sell of raffia palm plantations which he said is becoming very common. According to the Fon, should this continue the village runs the risk of not having raffia palm wine to perform traditional rituals. A fine of not less than 500 000FCFA and other items has been announced as sanction for anyone who sells raffia palm plantations on Nkwen land.
While noting that the sell of land was becoming very fashionable with some selling just to drink and smoke, Fon Azehfor III says land can only be sold in Nkwen for two reasons: either for construction of rental property or education of children. Should the contrary happen, he states that the supreme administrator of the land being the Kwifor shall take over the property.
On funerals, the Fon has given one week as the maximum time for a corpse destined to be buried on Nkwen land to spend in the mortuary. According to the Fon, there is alot of unneccessary expenditure around funerals and sometimes at the detriment of the family of the deceased especially with the sell of family land for funerals. The Fon warns that there shall be no sell of land for funerals and celebrations. The Fon has announced a fine for families that decide to keep corpses longer than a week in the mortuary while also spelling out the basic requirements by the Kwifor for burials.
New Year Message of the Fon of Nkwen HRM Fon Azehfor III The Fon also took off time to talk about the promotion of Nkwen cultural values like the language, food, songs amongst others which are key in the transmission of Nkwen culture to the next generations.
While calling for support from all Nkwen sons and daughters to give the Fondom a befitting palace and facelift, HRM Fon Azehfor III has announced the creation of new quarters around the country and in the diaspora. The US, Germany-Belgium, UK, Japan, South Korea, South Africa, Gabon- Equatorial-Guinea will be quarters with quarterheads and assistants to be appointed in the nearest future.
While thanking God and all who have supported the growth of the Fondom through various quarter projects, he ended his message with prayers and the blessing of Nkwen sons and daughters wherever they are wishing them good luck in their jobs and families.