Manna Falls in Barakwe, the Rainbow Village

Manna Falls in Barakwe, the Rainbow Village

Humanitarian assistance consisting of bags of rice, salt and cartons of soap, maggi, sachet tomato alongside packets of biscuits and pallets of soft drinks for children all worth FCFA 300.000 has been distributed to villagers in Barakwe, the Rainbow village located in the Tondig (Lower Medig) zone of the Meta clan, about some 3km from Mbengwi central town.

Distribution Exercise

Meeting in the community hall on Thursday 6th August 2020, the over 100 mothers, fathers, youths and children each backed home a modicum of the symbolic gift from the heart of U.K based Jake Mayah, an illustrious and concerned son of the soil that thought of the land of his birth during this crisis period. 

Present to hand over the items was the people's traditional ruler, His Royal Highness Barrister Teghen Humphrey who called for unity among his subjects, encouraging them to exercise restrain and handle their differences amicably since based on the nature of his profession, he's hardly in the village to be handling such matters. 

H.R.H Barrister Teghen Humphrey, Fon of Barakwe

The ceremony and the entire village was committed into God's hands by Rev. Pastor Mujem John of Wumnemburg Parish, Meta presbytery who encouraged the spirit of giving through the addage, "The hand that gives never lacks." The Man of God also saluted the commitment of the villagers in developing their ancestral land as they've erected a very big church house, a community hall and are soon engaging into a palace construction project. 

Some of the beneficiaries took turns to appreciate the fon and the donor. Teghen Rachael said, "We've really been lacking these items due to no income generating sources like jobs to make money and procure them. So we're really happy for the items and we thank our uncle so much. May God bless him" George Tabeng on his part regretted that they of Barakwe are hardly targeted when assistance comes in from aid agencies and the government reason why such a donation from their son resident abroad coming in through their fon fills their hearts with so much joy. 

The Fon & Subjects

The donor, Jake Mayah is son of late George Mayah, a reputable Meta language broadcaster that worked for Radio Buea, South West Region in the yesteryears, a traditionalist, an investor and a pillar of Barakwe village. Today, his children have grown to also gain influence in their respective areas like their late dad. Vivian Mayah, sister to Jake is current national president of the Barakwe Cultural and Development Association (BACUDA)

Way back in 2015 during the association's Annual General Meeting, Jake flew home and promised five million francs to electrify the village. The anglophone crisis soon came and disrupted his plans. Fortunately, Barakwe was recently selected as beneficiary of a rural electrification project by the state whose execution phase is ongoing. Since the villagers had also nursed plans of erecting a befitting palace structure for their fon, Jake Mayah has again promised to divert the 5 millions francs earlier promised this time around for the palace project expected to kick start in the nearest future. 

Dilapidated Barakwe Palace

From the plan, the people of Barakwe wish to build the best palace in the Meta clan for their fon that will serve as a "come and see" touristy site. Cornered by Mbengwi Online at the end of the ceremony, H.R.H Barrister Teghen Humphrey said "I seize this opportunity to call on our sons and daughters out of the country and those within to join us build a better Barakwe for all." He also thanked the youths, men, women, elders and all the villagers for their committed spirit towards development irrespective of their few differences. He promised to set the pace in the construction of the palace hoping his subjects step in.

The Barakwe women present after showering praises on their leader for his tactfulness in handling conflicts and steadfastness in steering the development of the village offered him a bag of their farm produce with an undertone message that they want the queen mother with the princes and princesses in the village. From findings, all villagers know and are so attached to their fon but there exists a wide gap between the villagers especially the women and the palace queen (the fon's wife). The young children in Barakwe don't know the young offsprings of the fon they should've been playing and familiarising themselves with. The fon attested to the women he's gotten their message and obviously something will be done to meet their demand. 

Donation Ground, Barakwe Community Hall

Barakwe, though one of the tiniest villages in Meta is nicknamed the rainbow village having moto as "One Spirit". Traditionally, 90% of the villagers from children to the elderly are dancers of Mukonge, an energetic Meta dance. The fon himself is a super drummer of the dance. The development strength of Barakwe lies in its labour force made up of carpenters, electricians, plumbers and builders, mostly among the male youthful population. Once there's a project, all they need is raw materials and within the twinkle of an eye, work is over.

Pa Fomukong Jonas, the Oldest Man in Barakwe, 120 years Still Walks Around

Presbyterian Church in Cameroon Barakwe Congregation