The Griot

Migration is an integral part of human history. The movements and splitting up of the Tikar clan, which constitutes a major fraction of the North West Region, account for the present-day settlements of most ethnic groups and villages. These groups migrated for diverse reasons. They moved either in the search of fertile areas to farm on or in the quest for safer terrain with a vantage position where an approaching enemy tribe could easily be spotted in case of an attack as tribal conflicts were common at the time. For the Kom people, at the top of these reasons was the spiritual factor. It is recounted that many years ago, the Kom people were welcomed by the people of Babessi and both fons came into an alliance. They lived in harmony for years till the fon (king) of Babessi became intimidated by the resilience of the fast-growing Kom fondom. Kom had a strong healthy and energetic male population and this was a sharp contrast to the dwindling male population of Babessi. The latter was di...