The Voice of Royalty: The Symbolism of the Gong’s and Elephant Tusk’s Sounds to the Cameroon Grassfields Societies

Abstract

Fons or kings in all human societies occupy a high social standing. They have certain privileges, which others in the society do not have. In the Cameroon Grassfields, they have the prerogative to own and use symbolic art objects. The single or double gong and elephant tusk are among the prestigious objects, which were used by the Fon or the kwifon alone in the past. Today, instruments like the double gong are used by many masquerades and some church groups as musical instruments. This article seeks to investigate the functions and symbolism of the double gong and elephant tusk in the Cameroon Grassfields. The objective of the article is to examine the function as well as the cultural significance of these two objects in the lives of the Grassfields people. Data for the paper was collected using the qualitative method with the use of techniques, such as direct observation, in-depth interviews, life histories and photography. This data was as the fieldwork was going on and then completed soon after the fieldwork. To interpret the data, the authors employed the theories of functionalism, symbolic anthropology and cultural evolution. Major findings reveal that the double gong and the elephant tusk are emblematic cultural elements that are used for communication, linking the living and the ancestors and gods. It is a symbol of unity, authority and power, used by the Fon and the kwifon . These objects, which we call the voice of royalty, could be conserved for the posterity of the fondoms, which valorise them.