Fon (title)

As Fon is the chief or king of a region in Cameroon, especially among the adherents of the Tikar and Bamileke, who live in the Bamenda Grassfields (regions Nord-Ouest and Ouest ), respectively. A Fon is appointed for life and is independent ruler of a Chefferie. He has a private courtyard and is the recipient of a number of traditional sovereignty symbols (eg, a totem ).

Some of the family members of the Fon have held important government offices. However, none takes on this "government" involved after the death of Fon whose government office. As the successor to one of the many descendants of polygamous living Fon is appointed. This is not necessarily for his firstborn. The successor of the Fon is selected by a team of advisers of the Fon.

Most Fons had to subdue the German occupying forces during the colonial period. After the German occupation in Cameroon they were placed under French or British rule, depending on whether their territory lay in the dominated by the French or the British part of Cameroon. Since the Cameroonian independence in 1961 Fons subject to formal jurisdiction of the Government of Cameroon. Nevertheless, they still take on independent administrative tasks and exercise a part of the case-law according to traditional rules in their jurisdiction from.

As traditional tasks of the Fon were:

• Legislation and the Control of External Relations
• The entire case law was executed in his name, he was a final court of appeal with the authority to decide about life or death of his followers
• He was supreme master of ceremonies and had in that capacity the ancestors offer sacrifices in order to ensure the good of his people