255. Bakweri Names of Months.
("i-mbgwe-nde ja loova").
mbgwende = a lunar month/calendar month.
Mbgwenda a Lova = a lunar month.
Lova = The Creator.
lova = the sky;
o-lova = high up in the sky.
Bakweri English.
01. Mbanje. Derived from the word “mbanja” = splints. Mbanje: Literally = A period in the dry season when leaves that fall from trees are in a way dry as splints, particularly splints from the trunks of raffia palms.January.
02. Esonjo Mekoko. Literally = a period in the Dry Season when logs that were wet as a consequence of the Rainy Season are dry.
sonjo/lisonjo/esonji = dry.
mokoko = a log; plural, mekoko.
February.
03. Etoma Matiya. Literally = the commencement of tilling the earth and planting of crops.
toma/litoma = to start.
litiya = to till the earth and plant crops; plural, “matiya”March.
04. Kite-kite, va tiya ve mbgweya. Literally = a period of the year for planting crops and at the same time weeding.
le-mbgweya = weeding.April
05. Efimba Meeya. Literally = to discard hoes since the time for planting is now over.
fimba =to throw away.
meeya = hoes; singular, mwaa.May.
06. Isofe-sofe.June.
07. Veyale. Derived from the word “veyali” = leaves. Veyale: literally = The period of light rainfall in the month of June (Isofe-sofe) is now over. The rains are now heavy. Now is the time when someone going out of the house covers a plantain leaf or a large coco yam leaf on his head as protection against rainfall. Note: There were no umbrellas at that time.
yaali = a leaf; plural veyali
veyali ve liko = plantain leaves. liko = a plantain plant.July.
08. Mbowa Njoke. Literally = a period of very heavy rainfall – so heavy that the rains are literally considered in terms of the size of a home of an elephant.
mbowa = a village. njoku/njoke = an elephant
mbowa njoku/njoke = literally, the home/village of an elephant.August.
09. Veko-ndo-nde": Derived from the word "kondo-ndo"
“kondo-ndo” = charred spots on the legs, chest and belly. "Veko-ndo-nde" is a month of very heavy rains, dampness and cold, when peoples' legs, chests and bellies are charred as a consequence of sitting close to a fire for long periods.
Note: At that time people did not have enough clothes to keep them warm. Fire served as a protection from cold. September.
10. Egbe October
11. Muuli me Ndeene: Literally = A period of severe tornados.
muuli = a tornado. e-ndeene = big, large, severe.November.
12. Muuli me Sali: Literally = A period of less severe tornados
e-sali = small. eya sali = a small matter.December.
Oma nanu.
imba, Mbua Ndoko.
Mola Mbua Ndoko
P.o Box 38 Buea, South West Province
Cameroon, West/Africa
Tel: 3332-2535
Mobile:7973-4714
Website: http://www.mbuandoko.com
Mola Mbua Ndoko,
Igbhi monyengi saisai na weh timbeli wehiango oh net.
Your hiatus from the net is very understandable. We all fundly remember our sister Anni and know she is at peace with the Lord. We are glad the Lord has also granted you the strenght to resume your noble role in the Bakweri/Fako community.
Jack
Posted by: T.M Ndoko | March 16, 2010 at 12:49 PM
Mola Ndoko,
I would like to echo Mola Jack's sentiments - welcome back and thank you for a fine lesson.
Anike Nokuri
Posted by: E.Ndoko | March 16, 2010 at 12:55 PM
We as Bakweri youths are so grateful for this website created by our grandfather, may his soul rest in peace. We hope we get more of these as we have the goal of upholding our culture wherever we go.
Thank you
Posted by: Bakweri All Students Asoociation | April 28, 2014 at 05:34 AM
Meeting this great piece of work 10years after been published, gave me great joy and confidence for the long lasting of the good works.
I am delighted to extend our gratitude to our Grand father Mola Ndoko for keeping this knowledge for the generations to come
Mola. Elinge Peter
President of Bakweri Youths Association
2019-2021
Posted by: Peter Molute Elinge | February 07, 2021 at 09:32 AM