''For other uses, see
Fon (disambiguation)''
A 'fon' is a
chieftain or
king of a region of
Cameroon, especially among the
Tikar and
Bamileke peoples of the
Bamenda grassfields (the
Northwest and
West provinces). Though once independent rulers, most fons were brought under the
German rule or military subjugation during the
colonial period. Following the defeat of the Germans in
World War I, the fons came under
British or
French rule, depending on whether their territory fell into
British Cameroon or
French Cameroon. Since Cameroon's independence in
1961, the fons are under the jurisdiction of the
Government of Cameroon. However, they maintain semi-autonomous union councils and jurisdiction over their hereditary land.
Some of the historically significant Fons of the Northwest are:
★
Fon of Bamum
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Fon of Bali
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Fon of Bafut
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Fon of Bangwa
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Fon of Kom
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Fon of Bum
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Fon of Nso