CHAPTER ONE

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction

This chapter introduces this work by providing the relevant background of Mankon, geographical location, the genetic classification of Mankon, aim and objectives and the scope of study.

1.2 Geographical location of the Language

Mankon (historical spelled Mankong ) is a geo- historical community constituting a large part of Bamenda in Cameroon; formed as an amalgamation of about five different ethnic groups. The Mankon fondom represents one of the eldest monarchies of the Grassfield people of the North West province. The Fondom is ruled by a Fon with rights to kinghood acquired by birth.

Mankon is situated about 1000meter above sea level with an estimated surface area of 315 square kilometers and a population of about 250.000 inhabitants, this fondom is bounded in the North by Bafut,East by Bamendankwe and Nkwen, west by Ngymbu and Mata and Bali and South by Mbatu and Nsongwa fondoms.

There are some small group that exist around Mankon with slightly different speech from such are Nkwen, Bafut, Bambui, Bambili, Mendankwe and Menchum. They are also some communities which although a little bit distant from Mankon have similar language with Mankon. They are Awing, Akum, Santa, Nsungli, Ndop, Mbengwi, and Fundong. They understand and speak with each other because of the the speech characteristics that they share in common.

The fondom is endow with tremendous tourism potentials and has rightly been described as a microcosm of Grassfield culture. The Mankon Royal palace is one of the Cameroon’s major attractions and an important center of traditional African art. It is indeed the epicenter of all expression of the arts and culture of the people.

The palace has gained fame through the hosting of the grandiose cultural events as well as fascinating traditional performances and festivals like the famous Abeug-afo now transformed to the all-embracing biennial Mankon Grand Festival (MBOMALA). Mankon palace also host a unique and venerated aged-old traditional architecture, AISUM, a large scared palace temple and the monumental Mankon Museum.

Adjacent the palace is the Mankon sacred Forest, the largest and well conserved sacred forest in the region with over 123 identified interesting birds species. It is a seductive ecotourism destination. Also of a great tourist interest is the Alankie Hentage site, the old palatial capital of the Mankon with amazing tombs and shrines of 7 tobs (Kings) and a palatial rest house.

1.3 Research Problem

Names reveal a lot about the socio-cultural and religious beliefs of a people. However, this phenomenon has not been studied among the Mankon people even though it has the potential to reveal the cultural practices of the Mankon people.

1.4 Aim and objectives

Language is a very important aspect of identity and culture. This work set out to describe Mankon names and how they are formed. Their structure is also studied in preparation for a linguist study.

The work examines names as non-arbitrary labels but socio-cultural functions and meanings. The work discusses the typology of Mankon names and their functions.

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