This message is not flagged. [ Flag Message - Mark as Unread ]

Date: Mon, 25 Nov 2002 14:10:44 -0800
From: "Ben Fokum" < benfokum@YAHOO.COM> | This is Spam | Add to Address Book
Subject: Ndu Fon criticized for giving traditional titles to women
To:  CAMNET@LISTSERV.CNR.IT




25/11/02 - Gender-HERALD

Ndu fon criticised for giving traditional tittles to
women



Fon Nformi Emmanuel of Ndu recently introduced
traditional titles for women amidst stiff criticisms
from his subjects and the Wimbum elite of
Donga-Mantung Division.

The fon took the Ndu population by surprise when he
unilaterally bestowed upon some Ndu women a strange
traditional title, «Ma-Shey.» The title gives them
exclusive rights to own traditional bags of the
princes’ secret society called «Ngiri», with some of
the society’s values such as owning «Ngiri» cup and
staff. The women can also put on a royal garment
fondly called «Njab».

The fon whose initiative is being lashed out by a
multitude of critics, defended his action, saying the
beneficiaries of the new traditional titles have been
active in his fondom’s development, loyal and law
abiding.

A cross-section of Ndu elites who spoke to The Herald
fumed over what they termed an outlandish phenomenon.
They said the fon was indirectly honouring the women
who had always been in support of his party, the CPDM.


They posited that the beneficiaries of the extraneous
titles Wirba Gladys, Mary Ntakop, Ntala and Mairo who
are all unmarried ladies, was enough evidence that Fon
Nformi was encouraging and blessing prostitutes in his
fondom.

The «Ma-Sheys» who are now very rude to men on grounds
that they could not be beaten because they are title
holders today constitute the Ndu fon’s retinue and
always come to his financial assistance.

The Herald learnt that the fon appeared to have made
it a routine to always send his pages to the women
with the message that his palace is «dry» and receive
brown envelopes from them, irrespective of the sources
where the women get the money.

In December 2001, the same fon was indicted by the
entire Mbum elite when he bestowed the title of «Shey
Nwarong» to a Ndu-based Nigerian, Okonkwo alias Otto,
being a title which is given only to children who must
have been confined in the «Nwarong» secret society for
seven years. This, the critics say, was one of his
means of lining his pocket with bank notes.

By Michael Ndi in Ndu



© copyrights 2002 www.heraldnewspaper