OKU PALACE/ MEUZEUM

Just 10 minutes from Elak. The Soul of Oku Museum (SOOM) is a non-
profit making, permanent institution open to the public and at the

service of the Oku people and their development. It acquires,
conserves, researches, communicates and exhibits, for purposes of
study, education and entertainment. The main focus of this museum is to conserve local cultural objects by means of sustaining the traditional
culture of the Oku’s. One of the inner attractions of this museum is the
institutional exibition of the palace set up.

HISTORY AND FUNCTIONS OF KWIFON AND FON.

Kwifon is as old at the tradition of every Fondom or Kingdom. In Oku
the creation or origin of Kwifon dates back to Oku migration history.
It’s also a symbol of authority, order and discipline.
Together with the Fon, Kwifon constitutes the traditional government.
Kwifon protects the Fon
Together with the Fon, Kwifon conducts most of the religious
ceremonies
Provides the well-being of the people in every aspect.
Kwifon takes decisions on when major ceremonies can be done
It also settles inter persons and inter village disputes
Sanctions defaulters of Land laws
Makes announcements that fosters development and secures the
lives of the people.
The Fons descends from the royal family “Mbeele” and his choice is
done by king makers the Fon decides on the development spirit of his
people. He decides finally on the choice of notables
He mobilizes the people through public announcements on political,
religious, cultural and economic activities. He represents the Fondom
in official public ceremonies.

HOW DOES TRADITIONAL LEGAL SYSTEM WORKS

It starts with the translation of what the laws of the land are to crowned
notables. The functioning moves from complainant to the traditional
council or Palace to the Fon or to the Kwifon. Then the competent
authority invites the defendant. The complainant and the defendant
give the versions and the Kwifon, Fon or traditional council takes the
final decision. When it requires field visits the complainant and the
defendant prepared food for the inspection to be done. Depending on the gravity of the complaint the number of days for the judgment is
decided by the authority in charge, and then a judgment is passed.

WHO LIVES IN THE PALACE

The Fon, the Fon’s wives, Palace daughters and younger Sons, the
Queen mothers at times. Palace attendants live in the Kwifon’s
compound and comes to attend to the Fon at his request.

HISTORY AND FUNCTION OF ROYAL FAMILY

The royal family known as the “Mbeele” come to Oku after the Ntul
people and took over the leadership of Oku. It comes from the Fon’s
lineage. It is made up of all princes and princesses and extended to royal
family heads and their members, who pay allegiance to the Fon in
almost all derivatives. They are seen from the beautifully designed
houses and courtyards they possess, their command of an elevated
social status and special privileges they enjoy. They are generally called
the “Mbeele” people. The functions of the royal family are associated
with their high social class and attachment to the throne. They have a
right to the throne and perform the most important religious ceremonies
with the Fon. Even Fon’s wives who come from royal families are better
place than the others especially in preparing food for special
ceremonies. They equally belong to certain societies by virtue of their
social class and status. They perform major sacrifices of the land.
Members of the Royal family guard and protect the Fon. They preside
over the installation for major notables.

DIFFERENT JUJUS AND THEIR ROLES / WHEN THEY SHOW UP

  • Kwifon secures the land, appears during funerals.
  • MABU executes justice
    Presides over the burials of palace attendants.
    Appears during funerals of notables
    Imposes injunctions.
  • NCHIYSENDASE BANGHENE – Discipline stubborn people, place injunction orders and even punish
    by beating.
  • NKOCK Appears only during funerals of members.
  • NOKANG Appears during funerals of members.
  • NOKANG

    also accompany Mabu for opening ceremonies of Kwifon

    members.

  • AGAH Comes up in the last day of the funeral of member and palace
    big funerals.
  • FELINGANG The Main dancing juju of the Kwifon society. Dance during funerals of
    concerned members and palace big funerals.
  • MKWAKWA Comes up once in late mid night and remains in Kwifon’s forest during
    funerals of initiated members.

ROYALJUJUS

FENJI, FENTIY, LABEH, NCHIAFA, BENG, NKEIY

which dances during palace official ceremonies. Some of the jujus are
of the “NGIRRIH” society and mostly seen to belong to the royal family. They equally animate during death celebrations of some
traditional dignitaries. These include: Mabu Ngirrih, wan Mabu
(Ndobe), yeye boy, mbiy neybame, malam, moh ntok, yengirrih, nokang ngirrih.