History of funam

Funam is one of the most cosmopolitan villages in Meta. It is one of the 5 Bonjoh Fondoms of Meta. It is located in Bome valley in the Mbengwi Subdivision in Momo Division of the North West Region of Cameroon. Funam shares a common boundary with 5 of the villages Tuanyang, Njimetu, Njekwo, Ku and Kobenyang of the Bome valley and the other village being Gundom,

QUARTERS IN FUNAM

Funam is made up of 8 major quarters. Each of these quarters is run by a quarter head. The quarters and their quarter heads are as follows:

1. Bat-

2. Nyen-

3. Kwen–

4. Ngakwo-

5. Njimeteng-

6. Nyang-

7. Tuembeng–

8. Chigwiri–

FAMILIES IN FUNAM

Funam village is made up of 6 of the families that make up Meta land. These families differ from each other in a number of ways. The families include:

a) Bonengob: These are the blacksmiths of Meta. Their family symbol is the smithing furnace. In Funam, they are predominantly found in two quarters. That is Bat and Nyen quarters. Their traditional dance is the Enyerese and their family masquerade is made with red feathers. Typically, there is no Fon in Meta who is from this family. They don’t get married to each other.

b) The Bonjoh. This is the family that makes up the royal house of Funam. Their family symbol is the rain. Their family dance is the Nere dance whose costume is the big traditional gown. The Bonjoh don’t get married to each other. They are predominantly found in Ngakwo quarter, but are also doted in bat and Nyang quarters. They can get married to any other family in Meta. But there exist a marriage injunction between them and the Mendig of Ku.

c) The Mundam. This family is divided into 2. These are: a) Mundam Gwam whose symbol is the snake and b) Mundam Borgu whose symbol is the snail shell. The two subgroupings can get married from the other. Their family dance is the Mendere dance. They are descendants of the Tuanyang people. They are typically found in Bat quarter and a few others dotted in Ngakwo.

d) The Muteng. These are the warlords of Meta. They master the secret of the fire as a war tactic especially with the use of the two-headed magic broom. Their dance is the Mbaghenum dance. They make up three main quarters in Funam. These are Bat, Njimiteng and Chigwiri quarters. Intermarriage is strictly forbidden amongst the Mutengs.

e) The Mendig family. This is the family that makes up 2/3 of Meta. In Funam, they are found in Kwen quarter and a few others dotted in the rest of the quarters. They are free to get married to Members of the same family.

f) The Muwum family. These are part of the Muwum family in the Bossa fondom found under Bali subdivision. Their traditional dance is the Mbaghenum dance and Mukonge dance. They are mostly found in Bat quarter. They can freely marry members of the same family.

ADMINISTRATIVE SET-UP

Funam village is one of the most organized villages in Meta. According to the administrative ladder from top to bottom, it goes as follows:

i. The Fon. The Fon is the traditional ruler of the land. He is the custodian of the tradition of the land. He oversees the various aspects of the land which include administrative, cultural, developmental, education and social life of the people. The position of fon is achieved by hereditary. He is then enthroned by the king makers who take time to groom and initiate him into royalty. The present Fon of Funam is HRH Prof. Mbacham Wilfred Fon Tarkeh the II.

ii. The Ngumba. This is the body that serves as the Fon’s direct collaborators. They reflect with the Fon in all matters affecting the lives of the village. It is made up of quarter heads and king makers.

iii. The village Traditional Council. It is made up of representatives from the various quarter councils. This organ is in charge of the day to day administration of the village. It also oversees the activities of the various quarter councils. The council plays the following roles:

➢ Conflict resolution

➢ Cultural preservation

➢ Advisory role

➢ Resource management

➢ Education advocacy

➢ Community mobilization

➢ Community representation

iv. The Quarter Councils: Every quarter in Funam has a quarter council. It is made up of representatives from every household in that quarter. They play the same role as the village traditional council but are limited to their respective quarters. They then report to the village traditional council.

PUBLIC SERVICES IN FUNAM

Funam is blessed to have some of the most prominent public services of Meta land. Some of them include:

a) The Monastery which is the only in the North West Region of Cameroon. It harbours Reverend Brothers and Fathers of the Roman Catholic Church.

b) GBHS Mbengwi. This is the pioneer High that was opened in Momo division and that used to host at least five thousand (5000) students. Its beauty and infrastructure could be compared only to Lycée Classic of Yaounde.

c) The Philadelphia handicapped center. This handicapped center has been taking care of the physically challenged. It was an initiative of Late Mr Seta and sponsored by the American Philadelphia Church. It is the lone handicapped center in Momo division.

d) A Better World Orphanage: This is the one of the largest orphanages in Momo division. It is the initiative of Mr Seta Wiertz Withgodep. This orphanage has been taking care of orphans’ needs. Some of the children of this orphanage are now professionals in a number of domains in life while others are undergoing university and professional training in various fields of study.

e) The Bome integrated health Center: This health facility is the initiative of Bome Area Development Association (BADA). It is located in Bat quarter in Funam and serves the entire Meta community and beyond.

f) GHS Bome: This is another initiative of BADA. It is located in Kwen quarter in Funam. It offers general education training in both the Arts and Sciences. The school has been producing very good results.

g) The legendary GS Bome: This was the first ever Basel mission school in Meta. The name was later changed to Presbyterian School Bome then to Government School Bome. It has produced some of the great men that Cameroon can ever boast of.

h) The Tang market: This market used to serve as the largest Meta Market after Tad market. Traders used to come from Bamenda, Bali, Pinyin, Bafut,Ngie, Oshie and Batibo to buy and sell in the Tang market. It has undergone both upward and downward trends. Today it is gearing up to one of the largest food malls in Cameroon.