Bamougoum Notable suspended for misuse of traditional dress “Ndop tissue”
By Stephen TADAHA
Many have been expressing mixed reactions following the temporal suspension of Mr. Fute Fidèle, a notable of the Bamougoum 1st class chiefdom in the West Region, from his functions as Chief of the Bamougoum community in Bertoua, East region for misusing the Ndop tissue during a meeting.
The royal decision was made by HRM Fon Moumbe Fotso Mitterand last week after images of the scene where the tissue was used to decorate his seat, went viral on social media.
According to Vincent ATTEY, a communication and marketing expert and son of the grass field, the Royal decision is perplexing given that the gesture from Fute was a way of exposing the culture’s riches to others.
“I admire his dress and decoration because it showcases the rich Bamileke culture. He sells the image of the grass field in a positive manner. The Fon of Bamougoum, I think is following just a logic which wants that only Chiefs and traditional rulers can use the Ndop” says Vincent ATTEY on his Facebook handle.
The Ndop tissue is considered sacred clothing that belongs to the Bamileke people from the Upper Plateaux in West Cameroon. It is also considered as the richest in terms of cultural and traditional significance among other traditional dresses.
Also on the Ndop tissue, images represent symbolic values.
The image of a tortoise means wisdom and precaution while the skin of a reptile symbolizes the strength of unity and royalty. Kolanuts represent the spirit of sharing and solidarity and circles represent the duality that exists between the dead and the living.
