THE BAMENDANKWE PEOPLE
BRIEF HISTORY
The Bamendankwes are of the Tikar origin from the locality of Menda, near Bankim in the now Adamawa Region. Their migratory routs took them via Bapesi to Kom in the present Boyo Division then to a locality near Nkwen.
Being an industrious people –leaders in the smiting industry, and in Big game, they were attracted to the present Bamendankwe site as a result of the availability of a thick forest which unfortunately was gradually destroyed. The settlement of the Bamendankwe people took place between 1902-1903. Their main activity was the making of guns and farming tools. Their settlement here also coincided with the arrival of the Germans in 1906-1908 when the Bamenda Fort was built principally as a military garrison.
EQUIPMENTS PRODUCED BY THE ANCIENT BLACKSMITHS OF MENDANKWE
BAMENDANKWE FONDOM
The Bamendankwe people easily developed the institutions of the fondom with its accompanying checks and balances due to their dexterity in the iron industry. Fon Nkwene led them to Nkwen and after him; other Fons include Fon Forchesiri, Fon Fongwa II with the present one Being Fon Forchesirri III.
AN ARTISTIC VIEW OF FON FORCHESIRI
ARTISTIC VIEW OF FON FONGWA II
FON FORCHESIRRI III
CULTURAL HERITAGE
Though made up of people mainly of the Tikar origin other groups who have of recent migrated into the Council for either administrative or socio-economic reasons include the Bamilekes. The Bamendankwe people share common traits with Nkwen, Mankon, Awing, Akum, Bambili, Choumba, Nsongwa and Kedjom Kitungo tribes. Situated on the Bamenda Highlands of the Western Plateau, the natural vegetation is mainly savanna interspersed with trees which for the most have been planted on the hills by the Administration. The Ngemba forest Reserve.