By Prince Mundi Tanda, Guest Writer
Bangolan village in the Ngokentunjia Division of the North West Region of Cameroon erupted in celebration on March 1, 2026, as its traditional ruler Senator Fon Chafah Isaac XI made his long-awaited return to the village after a decade away.
From the early hours of the day, the village was alive with movement. The crowd was huge and enthusiastic. Streets were filled as people abandoned their farms and businesses, rushing to celebrate what many described as the heroic return of the lion himself.
Women sang and danced. Youths waved branches and chanted. Elderly men and women lined the major paths, determined not to miss the moment. The size of the crowd reflected how much the day meant to many residents.
Traditional rites mark return
As custodian of tradition, the Fon made several stops at significant locations within the village to perform cleansing rituals. For many, the rites signaled a new beginning after years of tension.
From the narrow streets to the market square in Mbaleng, the turnout was overwhelming. Masquerades appeared in full regalia to welcome their chief, drawing cheers from the crowd. The market square was decorated with banners carrying messages of welcome, celebration and hope for lasting peace.
From Mbaleng, the Fon trekked to the palace, accompanied by a mammoth crowd. Each person held a peace plant, symbolising reconciliation just as the Fon himself carried one.
Palace filled to capacity
The palace courtyard was filled to capacity. Some residents sat on balconies, others on the ground. Despite the scorching sun, the crowd remained attentive, waiting to hear their ruler speak.
Fon Chafah came with one central message, forgiveness and reconciliation for the reconstruction of Bangolan.
“I plead with all of you to forgive me wherever I went wrong. I am not an angel, I might have committed some mistakes. Please forgive me. I have also forgiven everyone who offended me and want us to rebuild Bangolan for the future generation,” he said.
He added that he would now return home more often to commune with his people and ensure the reconstruction of the royal palace, which is lying in ruins.
Clearly moved, Fon Chafah thanked those who braved odds and threats to come out to welcome him.
Historic day for Bangolan
Those present pledged to follow his message and called on others to join what they described as a peace caravan.
Pastor Mbipeh Simon said, “This day is historic in Bangolan. We have been waiting for the Fon’s homecoming since, and now that he is here, we can conclude that the Bangolan crisis is over. Let everyone join Fon Chafah’s peace caravan.”
Amidou, one of the grandsons of the palace, expressed satisfaction at the return of “their father” and appealed to those still angry to come forward, assuring that the Fon would forgive them.
Prince Chafah Aliyou described the event as deeply relieving, recalling the day he nearly lost his life at the palace during earlier attacks. He said the warm welcome and the embrace from mothers and fathers after 10 years of separation meant a lot to him.
One of the kingmakers, Ndiketung Moses, reiterated his support for Fon Chafah and called for unity. He emphasized that the Fon came to cleanse the village from wrong sacrifices offered by some unqualified notables and urged everyone to join the peace mission.
Official recognition
The presence of the Senior Divisional Officer for Ngoketunjia, Quetong Hardisson, gave the event official backing. He stated categorically that Fon Chafah remains the Fon of Bangolan and that the State will not tolerate any form of anarchy in the village.
He further stressed that the government recognizes Fon Chafah Isaac XI as the legitimate Fon of Bangolan and warned that any attempt to destabilize the village would attract heavy sanctions. He invited aggrieved parties to present their grievances through appropriate channels.
The ceremony was punctuated by masquerade displays, signalling approval of the Fon’s return.
At one point, Fon Chafah stood at the exact spot where some detractors had weeks earlier slaughtered a goat while pronouncing curses against him. He declared that his hands are clean from any evil in Bangolan and called on those responsible to repent, warning that any evil pronounced would return upon them.
He also pledged to launch an empowerment scheme aimed at supporting youths and women in Bangolan.
A decade of turmoil
Fon Chafah has been out of his village and palace for ten years. In 2016, his palace was attacked and burned down by some disgruntled villagers who claimed to have dethroned him. During the attack, properties were destroyed and looted, one of his sons was shot in the leg, and the entire Bangolan history and archives were destroyed.
For a decade, the palace remained in ruins and the village deeply divided.
With his return, many residents now hope this homecoming will mark the end of the decade-long deadlock and open a new chapter of reconciliation and reconstruction in Bangolan.
