Mbororo Women in Guneku Smile at Fon Fomuki

Mbororo Women in Guneku Smile at Fon Fomuki

His Royal Highness Dr. Ticha W. Fomuki has put smiles on the faces of Mbororo women in his fondom. They came from far and near to assemble at the Mbon market square in Mbengeghang on Sunday August 22nd 2021. Others know the place as Tuembeng, a quarter in Guneku village, Meta clan, Mbengwi.

Of recent, the fon of Guneku successfully carried out an administrative reorganisation of his fondom. The mbororos that constitute a great portion of his subjects weren't really involved in the reorganisation exercise. In the various quarter and zonal councils that were formed including the Guneku traditional council, no Mbororo featured as a councillor. To fill this vacuum, the fon now wants to integrate them in the governance process. 

Mbororo Women Cheering the Fon's Address

Distribution Ground, Mbon Market Square, Mbengeghang

It was for this reason that they were invited for a talk, mostly their women though. With the assistance of a portable MP3 player, the Fon's message which he had recorded from abroad where he's based and sent via WhatsApp was played. In the address, Dr. Fomuki W. Ticha began by first saluting all those that  answered to his invitation. Then he went on to congratulate them for the relative peace reigning within their midst especially during this moment of sociopolitical crisis in the country, considering that there's not been any much trouble between the Mbororos and Metas of Guneku. 

The fon further dished out pieces of advice to the Mbororo women, encouraging them to embrace farming especially the cultivation of  huckleberry, assuring them that each time they'll have a great quantity ready for sale, he will make provision for buyers to come right to their farms up the hills and carry to the market. He also promised that the Guneku palace is very ready to provide small loans plus inputs to Mbororo women that will want to come together and form  farming groups. 

The Fon's Address Being Played from an MP3 Player

Children at Event Ground

On the aspect of education, he disclosed to the women that for over a year now, a community library has been in existence in the palace. "There are many community schools around Guneku and I'll really like that you send your children to these schools this forthcoming academic year so that they go learn how to read, write and speak rather than growing up knowing only how to chase cows" he disclosed, furthering that very soon he will invite all of them to the palace for a special feast involving eating, drinking and dancing.

In terms of insecurity, the very attentive women were surprised to know that the fon, though resident out of the country is fully versed with daily realities back home in his village. He made it clear he's aware of a certain yet to be identified group of criminals going round catching people for ransoms. He told them that "I'll like to advice that you stop Mbororo youths involved in the theft of cattle including natives and uphold your culture especially intensification of prayers and improvement of your flock. If you sell one cow, endeavour to buy another"  He also handed down firm instructions on how the security challenges in his fondom shall be handled from now onward in a statement he made that "I hereby task you to hunt down these criminals and take them to the traditional council for judgement and punishment."

Some Mbengeghang Meta Women

Mr. Fomujang Benjamin

Mr. Fomujang Benjamin is a (Meta) native of Mbengeghang. As to the relationship between the natives and the Mbororos, he said "We have really been doing all to stay in harmony with them but most of their ways are cunning as they want us to go and leave the place for them." The main problem between them the farmers and they the graziers is that of damages and hatred, this according to Pa Fomujang. To him, they keep destroying their crops from time to time and pay no compensation for damages caused, thus increasing hunger. As to how such problems have been resolved in the past to enable peaceful coexistence, he said "When a foolish man is talking to you provocatively, the best thing to do is to keep quiet"

Alhaji Hassan Djibo is the Ardo of Guneku. As highest authority of all the Mbororos in Guneku, the biggest village in Meta (in terms of land surface), he was invited to be present at the ceremony. As a message to the Fon, Dr. Fomuki, he said "I thank 'Mbeh' very much for thinking about us here and coming to salute our wives. Here, we don't have any problem. Between the (Meta) natives of Guneku and us, we are one." He admitted that they think about the fon always and often feel disturbed not seeing him for long. "Considering that the country isn't fine, we really like as you're supporting us as such" said Alhaji Djibo. 

Alhaji Hassan Djibo, Ardo of Guneku

Ardo & Council Chairman 

He also complained about the insecurity they've been facing in the hands of non state armed fighters ("Amba Boys") and other criminals groups. "As children of Guneku, we don't want us trouble in the village" he added before admitting that the suspects are said to be coming from afar, not Guneku children. He pleaded with the fon to support them in the education of their children during this period of (government) school shutdown, stemming from the ongoing Anglophone Crisis, a challenge that's disturbing them so much.  Considering that their little children can't trek to far off distances to pursue education, he pleaded that a special school be opened in Mbengeghang for their children to avoid illiteracy. He ended by thanking the Fon for the package sent to be shared to the women. 

At the end of the day, before returning to their various destinations, each woman went back home with 5kg of rice offered by the Fon which he described as nothing, promising them that next time it'll be more. A security meeting has been planned for early September in Fringyeng to address issues of insecurity in Guneku village, mostly cow thievery and kidnaps for ransom with criminals from neighbouring communities already being suspected to be the brains behind such, through assistance from some wayward Guneku sons, both Metas and Mbororos.

Distribution Exercise 

Development Chairlady of Mbengeghang

Bags of Rice Shared to the Women