Mola Mbua Ndoko: Wisdom and Ways of the Bakweri People

288. Ekambi and A Fake Money Printing Machine.

288.  Ekambi  and  A Fake Money Printing Machine.

Source: Oral narrations. 

1n 1937 in the month of September two men visited Ekambi at his residence in Tiko and showed him a machine that they said prints in one hour twenty five genuine brand new British pound notes.  The men said they were fishermen from an island called Kita in the Gold Coast and that they acquired their machine from a British sailor. They proposed that Ekambi should buy the machine for 200 pounds. 

A tiny British Flag and a small printed label “Made in England” were glued on the machine.
Ekambi was a successful business man in Tiko.  He owned an impressive residence and two big canoes for commercial fishing in the creeks. 

In the course of the discussions the strangers operated the machine and it ejected two genuine brand new British pound notes.  Ekambi was excited and decided to buy the machine.   His first wife, Elange, intervened and pleaded:

290. The Traditional Format of addressing a Married Woman.

290.  The Traditional Format of addressing a Married Woman.

e-Mokpwe addresses a married woman with precision, using at the same time the woman’s original family name and the name of the woman’s husband.  For instance, when Liyengu, the daughter of Mola  Mokoso is married to Eliva Lyonga, family members, friends and acquaintances of Liyengu will continue to address Liyengu simply: 

Liyengu  la  Mokoso.

Non-members of Liyengu’s family will address Liyengu formally: 
Liyengu  la  Mokoso, e-molana  amba  Eliva  Lyonga,  that is Liyengu  la  Mokoso, the wife of Eliva Lyonga.. 

Persons younger than Liyengu and Liyengu’s elders would normally address Liyengu: 
Iya  Liyengu

In her matrimonial home, she is addressed “Nyanga  Ndavo,” that is, the Mistress/”Madam” of the house/home.  Her husband is addressed “Sanga  Ndavo”, that is, the Master of the house/home.

The Bakweri have no word for Mrs. 

Oma  nanu.

Mola Mbua Ndoko
P.o Box 38 Buea, South West Province
Cameroon, West/Africa
Tel/Fax: 33-32-25-35
Mobile/Cell:79-73-47-14 
Website:

http://www.mbuandoko.com

281. Elova-lova asa tingeve mooli.(sunset cannot be stopped).

Source: Vakpwe oral narrations.

Many, many years ago, by coincidence, a delegation of farmers from Wojuwa villages and a delegation of fishermen from the villages of Mesellele, Modeka, Ewonji and Tiko, situated on banks of creeks met at the sorcery of the renowned Geographer Mosongo  Inoni.  The two delegations had similar complains. 

The farmers said that the rainy season had started too soon, much earlier than is expected and that it was difficult for them in the circumstances to complete felling down of trees and shrubs, burning down of bushes and planting of crops before the commencement of severe rain fall.  The farmers requested Sorcerer Mosongo to mystically extend the periods of sun light so that they would continue to work in their farms until close to midnight.