View source for User:Fmsrlyams/Kom people (Cameroon)

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== Article Draft ==

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<u>Founded in 1800</u>,<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|page=1}} <u>the Kom are one of the 250 ethnic groups that are located in the grasslands of Cameroon within the [[Boyo (department)|Boyo]] Division of Africa.</u><ref>{{Cite web |last=USA |first=AfoAkom |title=A summary background of the Kom kingdom and its history on AfoAkom USA |url=https://www.afoakomusa.org/blog?blog=a-summary-background-of-the-Kom-kingdom-452163 |access-date=2023-04-11 |website=AfoAkom USA |language=en}}</ref> Kom includes most of [[Boyo (department)|Boyo division]], including such towns as [[Fundong]], [[Belo, Cameroon|Belo]], [[Njinikom]] and [[Mbingo]].<!-- Broken link --> The area can be reached from [[Bamenda]] on the so-called [[Ring Road (Cameroon)|Ring Road]]. 

The '''Kom''' are one of the principal ethnic groups of the North-West province of [[Cameroon]], where traditional government institutions are very important.  The capital, [[Laikom]], is the seat of the ruler, the [[Fon (title)|Fon]], and his advisors, the Quifon, who continue to be the most respected leaders despite the imposition of a central Cameroonian government.  Vincent Yuh II died in November 2017, Fon Ndzi II is the current Fon of Kom.  The Cameroonian government recognizes to some degree the authority of the Fons and local chiefs subject to them.
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The elaborate language and rich culture of Kom are very similar to neighbouring groups, collectively known as the [[Tikar]]. The [[Kom language (Cameroon)|Kom language]] is also called Kom or [[Itangikom]]. <!-- Needs Citations -->

== History ==
During the 19th century migration in [[Cameroon]], most tribes moved south in search of better economic opportunities. The Kom people, who originated from upper Mbam in Tikari, moved in search of fertile soils. They first settled in Babessi. While in Babessi, their population began to grow drastically, and rapidly. The Fon of Babessi feared a possible attack from the Kom people. He then tricked the Fon of kom (Njinabo I) into believing that the increase in their male population may some day lead to them being overthrown. The fon of Kom believed this and subsequently accepted his proposal to burn all the healthy men in two separate rooms.

After the act was committed, the Fon of Kom realized that he had been tricked.  The Babessi Fon had built a secret door for his men to escape when the fire started.  Unable to bear the loss and betrayal, the Fon of Kom committed suicide by hanging himself. He died without a son.  Legend has it that a [[Pythonidae|python]] appeared and led the people of Kom to their present settlement in Laikom. For more information on Kom see Nkwi(2012<ref>{{Citation |last=Nkwi |first=Walter Gam |title=The Social Life of Connectivity in Africa |year=2012 |chapter=Patriarchy Turned Upside Down |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |doi=10.1057/9781137278029.0008 |isbn=9781137278029}}</ref> and 2015<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Nkwi, Walter Gam, autor. |title=African modernities and mobilities : an historical ethnography of Kom, Cameroon, c. 1800-2008 |date=11 May 2015 |isbn=9789956762378 |oclc=995298814}}</ref>)

== Government and politics ==
The Kom tribe covers ¾ of the Boyo division. The capital of Kom is [[Laikom]], and it is made up of over 43 villages. <u>Their system of politics is highly hierarchal</u>. The tribe is ruled by a king or Fon (Fondom), who holds the most power within the kingdom regarding socio-political and economic affairs, and is followed by the traditional parliament/legislative assembly (kwifoyn).<ref>{{Cite book |last=Nkwi |first=Paul |title=Traditional Government and social change in Kom |publisher=Fribourg University Press |year=1976}}</ref> <u>The Fon rules with the help and respect of his people, and is highly regarded and praised within his community.</u> <ref name=":0" />{{Rp|page=58}}

== <u>Spirituality and Religion</u> ==
<u>As a result of the introduction of the colonial church in the 19th century, Kom social hierarchies were changed.</u>

<u>When Fon Ndi took the throne in 1926, he legitimized Christianity and allowed for churches to be built, against the desires of the previous Fon. With Christianity being more present, the Fon's power gradually decreased in the 1960s and 1970s. New roles developed including catechists, pupils, teachers, students, and workers who adhered to the colonial regime rather than the Kom's traditional values and hierarchies, and thus a continuation of the decline of his power.<ref name=":0" /></u>

== Economy <u>and Agriculture</u> ==
<u>[[Agriculture]] and trade is the predominant form of income for the Kom peoples. Because of fertile soil and moderate temperatures, many crops are farmed in the community. Maize, guinea corn, cocoyams, and yams are sold and traded, with the women of the community doing most of the farming. Men within the community handle tree cultures like raffia palms, plantains, and coffee</u>.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Geary |first=Christraud |date=1980 |title=Ludwig Brandl's Historical Notes on the Kingdom of the Kom (Cameroon) |url=https://www-jstor-org.cmich.idm.oclc.org/stable/41409678?searchText=Kom+People+of+Cameroon&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3DKom%2BPeople%2Bof%2BCameroon&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&refreqid=fastly-default%3Adefe966706f66279e109c608e6fceaa0&seq=3 |journal=Paideuma |volume=26 |pages=41-77}}</ref> [[Coffee]]<ref>{{Cite book |last=Nkwi, Walter Gam. |title='Kfaang' and its technologies : towards a social history of mobility in Kom, Cameroon, 1928-1998 |date=2011 |publisher=African Studies Centre |isbn=9789054481010 |oclc=725791942}}</ref> is the only cash crop produced in Kom. In trade, there are many cooperative unions that help in the marketing of coffee. <u>Locally dyed cloths are also sold</u>. Many Kom retailers buy from places like [[Nigeria]], [[Bamenda]] and [[Baffoussam]]. <!-- Broken Link -->Some buy right from Dubai; to retail in the main towns of [[Fundong]], [[Njinikom]] and [[Belo, Cameroon|Belo]].<!-- Needs Citations -->

== Society, culture, customs ==
Kom society is [[patriarchal]]. Males hold the vast majority of power and privilege, while females labour mostly in domestic roles in kitchens and on farms. A man's power and wealth is measured by the number of his wives. Polygamy is a thing of pride. This makes a man with one wife voiceless in a men's gathering. Girls get married as young as 15 years old.
[[File:Food_at_traditional_wedding.JPG|thumb|Food at traditional wedding]]
Although Kom males hold most of the power in day-to-day affairs, Kom society is [[matrilineal]] in matters of succession. In this way, Kom society differs significantly from other tribes of Cameroon. Lineage in the Kom culture continues on the side of the mother and not the father in such a way that when an adult Kom male dies, ownership of his property including his compound, wives and children is transferred to his nephew (son of his sister) and not his own son. The process of matrilineal succession in Kom society is more complex if a deceased male did not have a nephew to inherit his property. In this case, succession is continued on the side of first cousin. As of the late 20th century, this practice is growing obsolete.

Kom society also places a great emphasis on respect for elders.

There are numerous dance groups like the Njang and chong, which performs in many occasions including funerals. Prince Yerima Afo’o kom and Ateh Bazor are two of Kom's most prominent folklore musicians.<!-- Entire passage needs citations -->

== Art and Performance ==



'''Njang Dance performances'''<!-- missing source and caption & needs further context --><gallery>
File:Njang 21.jpg
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File:Njang 32.jpg|Children dancing Njang
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File:Njang 49.jpg
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== References ==
<references />

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Kom people}} {{Scholia|topic}}

* [http://www.kompeople.org/ Kompeople.org]<!-- broken webpage -->

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