Yaounde: Pinyin People, Behold Your New Monarch!

The wait was long. Quite long. Lasting several decades. But it finally paid off. As the people of Pinyin now have a new King. Since Friday, November 8, 2024. In the person of retired Cameroon Radio Television, CRTV journalist, now His Majesty Kenneth Khan Asobo III. That is why his people living in Yaounde rolled out the red carpet. Turned out in their traditional best. In their numbers. In their thousands. To welcome their new King.

Happy, Great Day
“We are most elated. We are happy and we thank God for this day (Sunday, November 10, 2024), a day we have waited for, for very long. This is because the people of Pinyin for a very long time - almost 50 years – did not have Fon, though there was a Regent,” commented “Akamantso” (traditional general) Ndeh Fonkam Azu’u III, a traditional elder of Pinyin.

Great Light has Come!
“Now, the new Fon has taken over from his late father, His Majesty Asobo Victor II. It is a great day, a new dawn. Quoting Prophet Isaiah in the Bible, I can say we were like people who walked in darkness, but have now seen a great light. The wait for the new King was long, but good things demand patience,” said Dr Fonkam Azu’u Samuel, former Chairman of the Electoral Board of Elections Cameroon, Elecam.

First Official Outing
Barely two days after traditional rites in Pinyin and the formal presentation by Simon Emile Moh, the Senior Divisional Officer, SDO for Mezam, of the new Paramount Fon of Pinyin to his kinsmen and kinswomen in Bamenda, the new traditional ruler hit the road. Travelling back to Yaounde to meet his subjects on Sunday, November 10, 2024.

Traditional Welcome
In his brief word to his people at the ceremony, which held in the grounds of Hôtel des Députés, Yaounde, Fon Kenneth Asobo III thanked them for turning out in their numbers to welcome him. Commending the delegation that accompanied him from Bamenda. Before moving round the crowd to wave to his subjects. Amidst traditional yells of reverence from curtsying women and men all robed in traditional gear. And the loud sounds of various traditional dance groups.  

So Blessed A People!
“The Pinyin community is so blessed because the new Paramount Fon of Pinyin, His Majesty Kenneth Khan Asobo III, is one of us, a former journalist with CRTV who lives in Yaounde. We travelled to the village to carry out the traditional rites last Friday. Then to Bamenda the same day where the new King was presented to the people by the Senior Divisional Officer, SDO for Mezam. After which we travelled back to Yaounde for him to be presented to Pinyin people. And meet them in his new role as their paramount traditional leader. In order words, the palace of the King of Pinyin is located wherever he is,” Akamantso Ndeh Fonkam Azu’u III told journalists.

New Dawn For Pinyin
“To me, it is a new dawn for Pinyin people. We have a population of over 80,000 people and we are located in Santa Subdivision, Mezam Division of the North West Region. Pinyin is the gateway into the North West Region from the West Region. Once you cross Matazem Bridge, Pinyin is to your left. The breadth of Pinyin land is 32 km because we share borders with Ashong. The territory is vast. In Yaounde, there are over 5,000 Pinyin people. It is a moment of great joy for us!” the Akamantso insisted. Before adding, “Since Friday, November 8, 2024, His Majesty Kenneth Khan Asobo III is the new King of Pinyin, though a big enthronement ceremony will be organised later. He replaces his late father, His Majesty Asobo Victor II.”

Daunting Task Ahead
The President of Pinyin Development Organisation, PDO, Yaounde Chapter, Ticha Oji, admitted that the new King faces a daunting task in leading his people, but expressed the wish that the people of Pinyin will become more united. “Pinyin faces several challenges, but we believe the new Fon will be up to the task. We hope that under the reign of Fon Kenneth Khan Asobo III, Pinyin will take its rightful place in Santa Subdivision. Our prayer is that the Lord will grant him favour, long life and good health, “Ticha Oji said. A representative of traditional Pinyin elders in Yaounde promised that reconstruction of the Fon’s palace in Pinyin will soon get underway.

Geographical Location   
According to the website, http://pinyinclan.org, Pinyin Clan comprises five villages in Santa Subdivision in the Mezam Division of the North West Region, Republic of Cameroon. Pinyin Clan is bounded to the east by the West and South West Regions of Cameroon; to the South by Ashong village in Momo Division and Bali Subdivision in Mezam Division. To the west by Mbu village in Mezam Division, and to the north by Santa Mb...