POLITICAL GENEALOGY OF THE LIMBE CHIEFDOM

Limbe presently is six years old without a Paramount Chief following the demise of the last one Chief Ferguson Manga Williams. His death sparked off a controversy on who should be the next Paramount Chief.

The print and audio media have variously reported petitions and nominations stemming from pretenders who severally have claimed their legitimacy over the throne.

However the following posits the genealogy of the chiefdom from erstwhile Bimbia, Victoria to present Limbe. It should also proffer the traditional succession as Agnatic seniority.

Bimbia was first inhabited by natives called Isubu from a major littoral Bantu band that settled before the 15th Century A.D on a coastal stretch of land that extended from the swamps of Rio del Rey and Ndian in the far west, through the marshy-land of Bamusso, all in Ndian Division, then south eastwards through Cape Nachtingal and Ambas bay to the Wuri Estuary in Douala. They extended northwards from the 4th to about the 5th degree of latitude around the Rumpi and Muaningouba highlands, latitude 41/2° N and longitude 9°E cut across ancient Bimbia.

It became a kingdom in the 18th Century and was named Bimbia which appellation derived from its first chief who was named Mbimbi -a- Ngombe (meaning Mbimbi, son of Ngombe).

Mbimbi Jack (Ngombe Mbimbi) was King of Bimbia between 1790 and 1802.

King Mbimbi left three sons, Nako, John King, and Billeh: Nako assumed the chief authority; on his death, John King waived his right in favour of King Billeh. His death was reported by Acting British Consul Hopkins in December 1878.

So Chief Bile (whose appellation was misconstrued by British Missionaries as Bill, short for Williams and so henceforth called (King William I), succeeded Nako.

King Williams I was replaced by his son, Ngombe, also known as young King Williams II. He was murdered in 1882 at Limbola by Bakwerians from Soppo, Buea.

Following the assassination of young King Williams II the Bimbian monarchy crumbled completely. No heir could unite all Bimbia under his banner, and Bimbia as a nation essentially ceased to exist.

His half brother Mbimb'a Makaka assumed the chair and was King when the territory became a German protectorate in 1884. In July 1884, the Isubu people of Bimbia found themselves part of the German Empire after annexation by Gustav Nachtigal. Coastal territory became the heart of the new colony, but Bimbia and the Isubu lands had already passed their prime. The German protectorate was followed by the alienation of lands for the plantation causing the Isubu population to greatly decline.

In 1908, the Germans in a bid to provide sustainability, appointed Chief Johannes (John) Manga Williams, the grand son of King Bile II and he was later elected the President of the Victoria Area Divisional Council.

In 1918, Germany lost World War I, and her colonies became mandates of the League of Nations. The British became the new colonial rulers of Isubu Bimbia lands. Great Britain integrated its portion of Cameroon with the neighbouring colony of Nigeria, setting the new province's capital at Buea. The British practiced a policy of indirect rule, entrusting greater powers to Bakweri and Isubu chiefs in Buea and Victoria. Chief John Manga Williams of Victoria became one of two representatives to the Nigerian Eastern House of Assembly. He died in 1958


After the death of Chief John Manga-Williams in 1958, the eldest son, Prince Jesco Manga Williams because studying in Great Britain at the time waived his right in favour of his younger brother Prince Ferguson Bille. A chieftaincy dispute was later to exist between Prince Ferguson Bille and Mr Ernest Kofele Martin. A Commission was set up and whose minority report by Commissioner Chief S.P. Dipoko of Missake recommended that the Chieftaincy be awarded to Ferguson Manga Williams. In 1983, Parliament of the Republic of Cameroon was moved to change the name Victoria to Limbe. Chief Ferguson Manga Williams died in 2003.
Following the death of Chief Ferguson, the throne mindful of the Agnatic Senority tenet of the political genealogy of the Manga Williams kinship, is reverted to Prince Jesco Manga Williams, first crown prince, heir presumptive and apparent and eldest son of late Chief John Manga Williams O.B.E. and current Head of the Manga Williams Family following the law of “le mort saisit le vif” — which means the transfer of sovereignty occurs instantaneously upon the moment of death of the previous monarch otherwise known as “Le Roi est mort, vive le Roi!” The King is dead, long live the king. Succession is not elective as mistakenly fathomed by a few.

Price Jesco Manga Williams erstwhile, was the crown prince to succeed his father, King Johannes Manga Williams O.B.E. and waived same to his brother Ferguson Williams because he (Jesco Manga Williams) was studying at the time in the United Kingdom. It is but natural that he had remained the heir presumptive and apparent to the throne in the event where the remainder is ascertained. Therefore according to the tenets as afore posited above, Prince Jesco MW merely awaits the formal proclamation of accession by the administration and nothing else.

DRAFT PROPOSAL FOR THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF LIMBE ERSTWHILE VICTORIA

Limbe marked 150 years in 2008 pursuant to the receipt of landed property given by the King of Bimbia, Bille to Alfred Saker which latter, named Victoria in 1858 in honour of then Queen Victoria of Great Britain. In 1983, parliament of the Republic of Cameroon was moved to supplant the name from Victoria to Limbe. The span of years brought many discoveries and novelties, development and revolutions in culture and government. Today, authorities of the Limbe City Council chaired by former Gov't Delegate Mr. Samuel Lifanda, the Republic of Cameroon, sponsors from the foreign diplomatic corps resident in Cameroon and overland, moral bodies and the civil society have stifled the accumulation of history and are desirous in showcasing the heritage of this great town on a golden commemorative interface.

This award-winning festival albeit maiden should strive to honour the past, celebrate the present, and inform the future with concerts, historical tours, reenactments and much, much more. Over 200 events can be organized during the Festival which will be concentrated in Limbe’s historic downtown and waterfront districts, with sponsored main events taking place exclusively in the Community field Plaza, Botanic garden, Down beach arena and the Centenary stadium. By the years, LimbeFestivals should grow from a small yet dignified local event into a nationally recognized celebration. In 2009, there should be well over 30 events over the course of three days. Later, LimbeFest would be considered to be the patriotic celebration in the nation, with visitors enjoying a diverse mix of family oriented events during the course of an entire period. There should be no better place to celebrate a city’s birth than at Limbefest.

PROPOSED DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES:
• Sales of Tickets for celebrations
• Purchasing and hanging of the Limbe Festival and Cameroon Flags on the roof boards of each house (first days)
• Registration of participants (first days)
• Trade Expo 09 (as long as it last)
• Community Parade of Costumes (first week)
• Acoustic Bands and other entertainments (every day)
• Film Showing (Movies on the events leading to the naming of the town), (every day)
• Parade of Legions (BIR, Gendarme, Police, Naval, Marine etc) (first week)
• Parade of Religion spectrum (first week)
• Grand Parade and Awarding of Prizes and medals (last week)
• Shows (car, local produce, technology, antique tractor show, art show, etc to showcase development of town) and also The Limbe Heritage Music competition. (Shows will be staggered between two stages, with big evening shows providing a full weekend of great music)
• Carnivals
• Performances by the culture ministry
• beer garden
• helicopter rides
• hot air balloon rides
• kids area
• crafts
• face painting
• petting zoo
• pony rides
• balloon artist
• games: (tribal ie Limbé indigenes against the nation including: palapala aka wrestling bakweri style, swimming, football, hand ball, poker run, country rides, motocross, tennis tournament, softball tournament,, indoor games included)
• Miracle Man
• Food
• Vendors
• Concerts
• Carting competition (public: payable and professional: free only to watch)
• Race Competitions: Bicycle, skateboard, surfing, canoe, marathon.
• Tours (boat, luxurious big buses, limousines) to the historic bays, antiques, islands and all mainland attractions
• Rentals: lodges, sport cars and motor bikes, bicycles, tents, suits, camp houses etc
• Fabulous evenings full of fun, live music, food, and drink accompanied by dance dance dance every day.
• Others: all museums will be open. No admission is charged. Our downtown merchants are planning a series of activities and sales which will be an attraction which you will not want to miss…..

OBJECTIVES

to present the best in world culture,

• promote the Bakweri ethical arts,
• enhance Bakweri-Foreign cultural exchange and improve the cultural market.
• encouraging innovation
• to be a bridge for cultural exchange among other tribes of the country.
• To promote charitable and educational projects for the benefit of everyone, but with emphasis on the Indigenous People of Victoria now Limbe
• To provide educational and cultural resources to everyone, but with emphasis on the Indigenous People of Victoria now Limbe.
• To actively participate in the promotion and perpetuation of the traditional cultures, ancient historical data, languages, attitudes and values of the Indigenous People of Victoria now Limbe
• strengthen and develop the cooperation between Limbe and international organizations via sponsorship and business

REVENUE

Revenue would be generated from the following:

• sponsored events which are payable,
• sales of tickets into condoned areas for some activities the likes of playgrounds etc,
• purchase of souvenirs and other items on display,
• registration fees from prospective businessmen who decided to register for expositions and stalls etc,
• registration fees for all other events
• sponsorships
• fundraising events

BENEFITS

• Limbe would be a milestone
• Tourism shall be enhanced
• Increment in the GDP
• Yearly economic boom
• Entertainments and recreation

PLACES: Jungle Village, Botanic Garden, Wildlife Centre, Down Beach Arena, Community Field, Centenary Stadium, Man O’war Bay, Sea, Beaches, Islands, Mainland, Rainforest.

TIME: 24/7

RESULT: Event would raise more than 150 million (target) to programmes on, education, screening and treatment, poverty and culture.

CONTINUITY: Shall be held henceforth yearly though on a cropped perspective.

FACEBOOK PAGE: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=120105&id=585342441#/event.php?eid=121828043272