In Honor of the Belaka of Ŋgang Ha

His Honor the Belaka (Sultan/Lamido) of Ŋgang Ha, has been decorated with the “L’Orde Nationale de la Valeur” for his achievements for the Mbum People and Mbum Culture.

Wild Initiative take the opportunity to thank His Excellency the Belaka for all his support and interest over many years. We rejoice with You for this honor, we are proud of you and of Ŋgang Ha, and we hope this will benefit ​the future of the Mbum as a people.

His Honor in front of the Hilton Hotel in Yaounde after the decoration seremony. Photo Mohamadou Saliou

This was last minute as the Mbum as a people and their culture was rapidly going extinct due to the colonization of the Fulbes, the Germans and the French. Despite Islam, the Belaka has been able to stop the tide and attract national attention to the Mbum People and their Culture, through a museum, national expositions and much more. There is a long collaboration with Norwegian mission and universities in putting the Mbum language into writing, in securing the Mbum people their history and thus contributing in securing their traditions and identity as a people. I may revert to this soon.

This might well be the first time for Wild Initiative to congratulate someone of this caliber in his native tongue. I hope all friends who understand what I write (not many!) and all others, will join us in celebrating this event and forwarding our congratulations to Ŋgang Ha and the Belaka. I will offer an English translation at the end.

The Belaka and his son Mohamadou in front of the Museum in Ngang Ha. Foto Per Aarhaug

“Your Honor the Belaka of Ngang Ha,The good news has reached us here in Norway. We are talking about you, and clapping our hands in joy for what has happened to You. “He who owns the country” (The president) called you to Yaounde. He drew the eyes and the attentions of all Cameroonians towards you and the Mbum People. It is a day of happiness – a day to rejoice. Now we are celebrating You as You have led the way for the Mbum cause.From old times an up to this day, all those who sought to humiliate and destroy us as a people and our culture, has been put to shame – if they can see… All Mbum people “take a good hold of your hearts”, - the times of sorrow and shame is over! We have our history and we know our kin. Our stature as a people is now recognized. All of us who love our kin and hold our culture in our hearts – let us rejoice in celebration. Wash off your eyes and open your hearts so you can see and feel the happiness and share the pride we feel today.I encourage everyone to look for his Mbum roots (=search for the place where his placenta was buried!). When you find it, plant your roots there so deep, that it will keep you steady and upright throughout your life. Have courage, straighten up your back and lift your head, clap your hands and be happy!Your Honor, I and many people are thanking You, because You consider us among those who work for the Mbum People, Mbum tradition and the Mbum culture. I think that these days there will be a lot of singing and dancing in Ŋgang Ha! “Make sure that the skin of the drums are tight, so that the dance will be sweet!” (Mbum proverb). We will be together with you in our thoughts and in our hearts, Your Honor”

Mbum is a very poetic and visual language based on keys to commonly known pictures, stories and tradition. It would take too long to translate directly – but it would have been beautiful!

Per Aarhaug together with the Belaka and his son Mohamadou. Photo Geir Haavemoen