Jull Fondom

Brief History

The Jull palace is in Ngunabum. According to oral history, the Jull people trace their origin back to the Tikars. They migrated and settled around Buabua. Intermarriages and the quest for safety led some of them to migrate and settle in Kom. However, in their original settlement, their leaders faced mysterious deaths attributed to the feared nature of the kwifon. After several fons passed away, Fon Boh Kuh Sah assumed leadership. He migrated with his family to Ngunabum and later to Kome due to troubles with the Germans. He ruled until 1965, leaving the throne vacant for over four decades.

During this vacancy, his children, including Yangsi, Chiafua, and other family members like Ngong Kumi, Kuma Yafi, Joseph Bua, Ngong Yuin, and Gheli, managed the kwifon. In the early 1990s, Fon John Yai Kwanga of Bum requested the enthronement of a new ruler to oversee the kwifon, which had been under family members’ care during the vacancy. Samen Ndongmbu, the eldest clan member at the time, began the search for a new ruler. While many declined the offer, Joseph Munchim Ntang, a trader and president of the Coffee Cooperative in Konene, accepted. His enthronement process started in 1996 and concluded in 1997 in Ngunabum. He was then tasked by Fon John Yai to rule over Buabua, Ngunabum, and Konene.

However, tensions arose with the disappearance of Fon John Yai and the ascension of Fon Kwanga Peter Yai. Fon Peter Yai issued an order forbidding subjects from paying respect to the Fon of Jull. Despite this, a few loyalists, mainly from Konene, Ngunabum, and Buabua, remained, most of whom were family members.

The disappearance of Fon Joseph Munchim Ntang in May 2021 led to the enthronement of Kiyam Robert Bangsi, replacing his uncle. In the Jull Fondom, particularly regarding the throne, succession follows a matrilineal lineage and is based on the deceased fon’s will.

Genealogy of Jull Fons

  1. Fon Lungati -First King
  2. Fon Winki Muam
  3. Fon Juafo
  4. Fon Wainki Kahki Muam
  5. Fon Ndongmbu
  6. Fon Ngong Nuwi Sa-ah
  7. Fon Chia Ndumwi
  8. Fon Boh Ku Sah 1926-1965
  9. Fon Ntang Joseph Munchim 1997-2021
  10. Fon Kiyam Robert Bangsi 2021-presnt

Traditional Institutions of the Jull Fondom

The Jull fondom has one of oldest Kwifon in Bum. Its masquerades are kfok, and mabuh. The Kfok of Jull is white in colour signifying old age. The kwofon is the lodged in Ngunabum. It is the highest institutions of the land. The kwifon takes decision that protect the people and promote peace in the kingdom.

The Kingdom has other masquerades like, menang, wo-ndzi, and chinda suz. These masquerades are mostly taken care of by palace guards and princes. There are other institutions like the chong, fubuen. Chong is a men’s society while fubuen is a women’s society. The society mostly display in death celebrations.

Touristic potentials

  1. The Jull throne. Information holds that mother of Fon Boh Ku Sah left with the throne to Bamti and upon her demise, she instructed that whenever a new fon shall be enthroned, he can be given the throne. 
  2. The Kwolaka shrine. The former Bum palace site
  3. Artifacts

Source| Ndongmbu Samen, Notable of the Jull Fondom (blessed memory)