Cameroon is a country in West Africa with many traditional Kings who are categorized into 3 levels. Some prominent Kings have served in government in various capacities as well as being traditional kings
Nfon (Sultan King) of Bamoun Kingdom, Bamoun people
Bamoun Kingdom is a traditional monarchy of the Bamoun people of cameroon. It is headed by a a monarch called Nfon (King) who also has the title Sultan as head of muslims in Bamoun. The current Nfon is Nfon Mohammed Nabil Mbombo Njoya, born Prince Mfonrifum Mohammed Nabil Mbombo Njoya in 1993. He was crowned sultan King of Bamoun kingdom immediately after his fathers funeral on Friday 7th October 2021 alongside his siter who is Coheir or Momanfon. His father late King sultan Ibrahim Mbombo Njoya was the 19th Nfon (King) of Bamoun people since 1992. He is married to his longtime girlfriend Queen Aisha. Read more here – Sultans of Bamoun.
Photos : Courtsey
Fo’A-Djo (King) of Bandjoun
Bandjoun is a traditional monarchy of Bandjoum people of the larger Bamileke people. The monarchy is headed by a monarch called Fo’A-Djo who is famous for marrying many wives and inheriting his predecesor’s wives. Bandjoun is the largest monarchy of the Bamileke people and the king is based at Hialah where there is a traditional palace which is a major tourist attraction. The current Fo’A-Djo is Fo’A-Djo Dr Djomo Honoré Kamga, a polymer engineer. He succeeded his late brother in 2004 and is the son of Kig Kamga who died in 1975. He is a first degree monarch according to Ministry of Territory administration.
Photo; Comar.be, Alfred Weidinger/Flickr,
Fon/Fo’o (King) of Bafoussam
Bafoussam (Pe Foussam) is a traditional monarchy/Fondom of the Bamileke people of Cameroon situated around Bafoussam, which today is the third most important city in Cameroon. The monarchy is headed by a monarch called Fon or Fo’o. The current Fon is Fon Njitack Ngompé Pelé who succeded his late father Fon Elie Ngompé Tchountchoua is 1988. He is the 97th monarch of this dynasty and is a second degree monarch as recognized by Ministry of territorial administration
Photos : Carol Beckwith and Angela Fisher/Africanonlinemuseum.org
Fo of Mankon Kingdom
The Kingdom of Mankon was founded in the 14th or 15th century. It is headed by a monarch called Fo. The current Fo is Fo Fru Asa-ah Ndefru Angwafor IV who succeded his late father the influential Fo Agwafor III Solomon Ndefru nicknamed “King Solomon the wise”who passed away in 2022 aged 97 after 63 years on the throne. The King who is an educationist was a principal of a government college begore becoming King
Photos: Courtsey
Fo’o of Bamendjou
Fo’o Tchendjou II Jean Phillipe Rameau Sokoudjou of Bamendjou is the current reigning 15th King(Fo’o) of Bamendjou since 1953 then aged 17. He actively took part in decolonization struggle of #Cameroon and was imprisoned severally. He was received by Pope Paul IV in the Vatican on 13th August 1975 when he went to appeal for the canonisation of the Africans who sacrificed their lives protecting the clergymen and women. His Majesty has over 80 wives including non Cameroonians. Some are Nigerians, Europeans etc. He has over 300 children. He survived a plane crashed on return from a visit to the family of one of his wives in Nigeria.
Photos: Courtsey
Lamido (Lamibe) of Maroua
Bakary Yerima Bouba Alioum since 2003, he passed away in July 2023
Ikanea (Paramount chief) of Limbe
Ikanea or Paramount Chief John Elufa Manga Williams is the current monarch of Limbe since 2018, crowned 2022. Born in 1965, John Elufa Manga Williams is the Nephew of the former Paramount Chief of Limbe, HRM Ferguson Billa Manga Williams who died in July 2005. He was appointed Paramount Chief of Limbe on July 11, 2018 after 13 years of the royal stool being vacant. He did his secondary education at Baptist High School Buea, high school at Government High School and is holder of a Degree in Public Administration from the University of Calabar, Nigeria. He has been a Municipal Councillor and worked at the Limbe Urban Council and Limbe 1 Council. He is married with three kids (one boy and two girls). His appointment came to put an end to battles within the royal families in Limbe (the Manga Williams, the Mokebas and the Carrs) as to who should succeed late Chief Ferguson Manga Williams.
Photos: Courtsey
Nfon of Bafaw people, Kumba
Nfon (King or ruler) Mukete IV Ekoko Leonard of Bafaw people of Cameroon, also ruler of kumba region, the centre of Bafaw people is the last born son of late Nfon Victor Mukete who died in 2021 aged 103. Nfon Victor Mukete was the oldest senator in Cameroon and was formerly the minister of information before the reunification of Cameroon. His father suprised the traditional institution by selecting his youngest son to suceed him. Read more about him here – King of Bafaw
Photos ; Facebook
Fon of Bafut
Fon Abumbi II is the current monarch or King of Bafut kingdom /Fondom of Bafut people of North West Province, Cameroon. He has been on the throne since 1968 as the eleventh King succeeding his late father late Fon Achirimbi II. He is famous for having 100 wives (72 are his late father’s) and 500 children. His 600 yr old palace is a major tourist attraction showcasing bafut architecture
Photos: Courtsey
Fo of Bana
Bana is a traditional monarchy/Fondom of the Bamileke people of Cameroon, headed by a monarch called Fo. The current Fo is Fo Happi V Sikam who succeded his late father Fon Happi IV Kontchipe Tafhu Joseph in 2003
Photo ; Alfred Weidinger/Flickr,
Fon of Babungo
Babungo is a traditional monarchy of the Babungo people. It’s current Fon is Fon Ibrahim Ndofoa Zofoa III
Photos : Carol Beckwith and Angela Fisher/Africanonlinemuseum.org, Fon Babungo
Fon of Oku
Oku is a traditional monarchy or Fondom consisting of a monarch called Fon and under him are 36 chiefs and chiefdoms. Fon Ngum IV is the current reigning monarch of Oku since 2021. He succeded his late father Fon Sintieh II who passed way in 2021 and was presented to the public on 18th December 2021. Fon Ngum IV was born in January 8th 1997 and holds an LL.B in Public Law from the University of Bamenda. He is married
Photos; Fon of Oku/ Facebook
Queen of Batanga Lohove (Cheffe Superieure de Batanga Lohove )
Queen Gaelle Michelle Mahouve IV is the Queen /Superior chief of the Batanga Lohove people. She succeeded her father His Majesty Michel Mahouvé III after the death of her parents in a tragic road accident in January 2019. She was born on February 19 1985, is a Cameroonian magistrate and first queen of the Batanga Lohove people of Southern Cameroon. She is the first woman to succeed to the throne of this community.
Photos; Courtsey
Fon of Fongou
Photos : Carol Beckwith and Angela Fisher/Africanonlinemuseum.org
Fon of Baham
Baham is a raditional monarchy/Fondom of Baham (Po Ham) who are part of the larger Bamileke people. It is headed by a monarch called Fon. The current Fon is Fon Max Matchuenkam Pouokam II
Photo ; Alfred Weidinger/Flickr
Fon of Nso
Nso is a traditional monarchy of Nso people (BaNso). Their current Fon is Fon Sehm Mbinglo II. He was kidnapped among others in 2018 by separatists but was released 5days after pledge by Nso people to the kidnappers. His palace is located at Kumba
Photos ; Courtsey
Fon of Mbiame
Fon Nwe II is the 21st Fon of Mbiame
Photos ; Courtsey
King of Douala people (Cheffe Superieure de Canton Bell)
Jean Yves Eboumbou Manga Bell X is the current monarch of Douala(Duala) people of Cameroon, also known as Seuperior chief of canton bell based at Bonanjo, Douala town. He succeeded his late father René Douala Manga Bell IX who passed on in 2012. He is the great gret grandson of late King Rudolf Manga Bell who was hanged by the Germans for resisting colonialism
Photos ; CantonBell
Dengkeghem of Aghem
Aghem are a bantu speaking group found in Cameroon. They are headed by a monarch titled Dengkeghem. The current 14th Dengkeghem is Dengkeghem Bah-Mbi III Mathias Njuh of Aghem since 1995
Photo; http://www.tffcam.org, nwra
Fo’o of Awing
Fo’o Fozo’o II has been monarch of Awing since 1998
Photos ; Courtsey
Fon of Balikumbat
Fon Ganyamnyin III is the current reigning Monarch/Fon of Balikumbat since 2012 after the death of the famous Fon Doh Gahnyamgi III. He was arrested in 2020 on alegations of sponsooring war in his region but was released
Photos ; Courtsey
Fon of Bambalang
Fon Kevin Yakum Shomitang II succeeded his father in 2009. He was kidnapped in December 2021amidst the ongoing clashes in that region
Photos ; Courtsey
Fon of Baba 1
Meet the youngest traditional ruler in Cameroon, His Royal Highness Fon Fue Nghaper II of Baba1 Village. He is a nine-year old primary 4 pupil. He succeeded his father Fon Fuekemshi II who joined his ancestors on May 2, 2023. He was crowned Fon of Baba1 on Friday May 12, 2023.
Paramount chief of Ewondo and Bane ethnic groups (chefferie de Efoulan)
HM Paramount chief /female King Marie Therese Atangana Assiga Ahanda of Ewondo and Bane/Bene ethnic groups of Cameroon (chefferie de Efoulan / chefferie de Ewondo Bene. She was the daughter of late Paramount chief Charles Atangana (1880-1943) She was appointed as successor in 1991 and was formally crowned in 1999/2000. She restored her father’s palace / palace of Efoulan. She served as first female paramount chief from 1999 until 2014. Her largest legacy was the renovation of her fathers palace. She was also a famous Author. She was a novelist / writer and previously was a member of the national assembly of Cameroon from 1983-1988. Marie died in 2014 aged 72 leaving her husband Jean Baptiste Assiga Ahanda (died 2022) of over 40 years and four children.
Paramount Ruler of Buea
Chief Dr Robert Esuka’ Mbella Endeley is the 7th
Bangangte
Sultan of Wandala, Mora
Boukar Alhadji Yerima Brahim, born 1966, 3 wives, 8 children
Photo ; Alfred Weidinger/Flickr
Lamido of Mindif
Oumarou Maigari
Lamido of Mokolo
Yacouba Mohamadou Mourtalla
Lamido of Mokong
Bissagou Mamadou, born 1922, stooled 1944, 10 wives, 42 children
Lamido of Oudjilla
Mozogo Daouka, born 1911, 50 wives, 113 children
Lamido of Meskine
Amadou Dairois
Lamido of Koza
Moussa Yavara
Lamido de Boula
Hamadou Ousmanou Mamoudou born 1985, stooled 2007
Cheffe Superieure de Canton Wouri Bwele
Edimo Alexandre Martin
Cheffe Superieure de Mikok-Bityli (Ebolowa)
Mvondo Nkukuma Emmanuel
Cheffe Superieure de Canton Deido
Ekwalla Essaka
Chef de Bonendale
Ndoumbe Emmanuel
More to be added
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