Royalty and Ancestral Venerations: Commemorating /Teh Pfu Teh Vu’ntuh/ the Death of Palace Children of Kedjom Keku Fondom in the Cameroon Grassfields

Abstract

Royalty and ancestry venerations: commemorating the death of palace children (princes and princess), examines the different ceremonies and rites which are performed during the death celebration of princes and princess or palace children. Children in the Grassfields of Cameroon in general and in Kedjom Keku in particular are treated differently, that is, those of free birth and those of royal descent. Such differential treatment is seen during the funeral and d eath ceremonies of the palace children. The questions this paper seeks to a nswer are: what are the different ceremonies and rituals conducted at th e death celebration of princes and princess? What are the cultural significance of these rituals to the Kedjom man and the fondom? The methodology of this paper is purely qualitative. We employed techniques such as direct observation, in-depth interviews and life histories to collect data. Data for the article were analysed during and soon after fieldwork was over. Data interpretation was done using the interpretive anthropology approach. Findings revea led that there are two categories of palace children; those born when the fon had not yet ascended the throne and those born when the fon was alread y crowned fon . The second category constitutes who real palace children. During th e death celebration of these real palace children, special rituals are conducted. F indings also show that during the death celebration, these palace child ren wear special attires. This aspect of culture like many others should be docum ented so that generations to come should actually understand the soc ial, political as well as religious organisation of their people.