THE AHON JUJU CULT What is Ahon? The Ahon juju cult is perhaps the most honorable, decent, and prestigious institution of the Bakossi folklore societies. This allegorical, yet entertaining and diverting culture is noble amid the jujus (AKALERH) of the Bakossiland (Ekorseh). Any person initiated into the Ahon juju is referred to as Nhon and uses the designated letters ‘Nhon’ before his names. However, a man of considerable wealth may also be addressed as Nhon, but this does not make him a member of the Ahon juju cult. He is not privileged to clad himself in the Ahon regalia or permitted to encroach into the Ahon shrine (Mbourh or abuuh). Dressing yourself up as a Nhon if you're not one is punishable by traditional law and custom. Is membership stratified? The Ahon membership is ranked and filed. The very first Ahon rank is called 'Osam'; all new members are of this rank. The second is called 'Epie'nhon,' and the third and final rank is called 'Soh’Nhon.' The Soh’Nhon has ascended to the apex of the Mahogany tree (EMAARH). In this unique class, the new entrant is introduced to the mystics of the inner core of Ahon. The associated rites are performed on a sacred stage in the shrine (MBUORH). All the mysterious and esoteric practices of this celebrated cult occur at this level. Each village has just one or two individuals in this class. To move up the ranks, you must pay a charge accordingly and must not be of doubtful origin. For example, a descendant of a slave cannot be initiated into this abstruse cult, and if by a strange accident a slave descendant is initiated, he may not move up the ladder beyond the rank of ‘Osam’. What makes this cult superlative? The Ahon cult is not only sacrosanct, but it is also covert in nature. As a result, the actions of the cult are kept in the closet. In any case, an aspirant rich man who is considered a conspirator by the screening cabal can hardly get initiated into the Ahon juju cult. Screening and background checks are a prerequisite for all new entrants and aspirants. A Nhon must be able to uphold a good preserve of the institutional and societal secrets and mores and be consecrated. Today, because of greed and desperation, some custodians are gradually pitting and eroding the mores by drafting unqualified candidates into the cult, which was a taboo back in the days. This uncouth drafting of new members without preamble into the cult is injecting a gradual degradation and decadence into this cryptic and illustrious cult. Are women a part of this cult? Women are also an integral part of this imposing ambiance. A Nhon who has no male offspring can pass on his regalia and all his accolades, as he approaches the end of his life, to his female offspring provided the designee is post-menopause. However, there are limitations in the participation of the female. Females do not dance with an 'elob,' dancing apparel made of horse mane, laced to the upper end of an iron rod used for dancing to articulate the dancing ambiance and mood. Mysteriously displaying an elob during dancing requires specialty esoteric dexterities, the details of which are not in the realm of this writeup. A dexterous Nhon may throw his elob into the skies, and it gets suspended in the air until he commands it to descend. To do this, the Nhon must possess some level of wizardry and shamanism. The details of this working, as I earlier dictated, are not within the ambit of this perusal. Moreover, at any time that a male offspring crops up in the family, this membership is transferred to him without contest. Is every Chief a Nhon? All the chiefs are entitled to get initiated into the Ahon cult, and those of them who reject initiation are referred to as Nhon Mbworh or Nhon Mbwog. A Nhon Mbworh is an honorary Nhon, and all uninitiated chiefs bear this title. What is the significance of the Ahon Lyrics? All the songs the Behon sing are poetry, given that every Nhon is a poet in our folklore. Besides that, the songs produce the rhythm that enables everyone to enjoy themselves and, in the process, attract some aspirants. This dance is rare and is a vital element of the Ahon juju cult. The dance is staged occasionally and does not last for long, so whenever the opportunity to dance arises, it is spiced with very imposing melody and lyrics. What are the modalities to become a member? Membership is generally by inheritance. A dying Nhon may pass on his accolades to one of his offspring, but new members are also recruited during ceremonies and special occasions very often than not. Sometimes a father may choose to initiate his children while he is alive. The initiation fee may differ from village to village. For further detail, consult the Soh’Nhon of your village. What constitutes the regalia of the Ahon Cult? The AHON outfit has a conspicuous configuration and represents a distinct sign of class in the society. The attire consists of a red hat called OLAP, a black shirt, a black loin called ODINE, black shoes, and black stockings accentuated with a bag called NGWEM. There's something special in the garments of a Soh’Nhon in that he will always have a red scarf knotted around his waist or neck and dropping from his shoulders towards his lower extremities. The Ahon cult remains the most celebrated and obscure folklore institution in Ekorseh. Dancing is occasional mostly during the funeral of a deceased Nhon or during special ceremonies such as the inauguration of a top government official from the motherland. There is selective permeability into membership and not without a charge. Also, women are a limited part of the selective membership permeability. Chief/Nhon George Ntungwe Enongene Chief of Muabi village
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That's my people
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THE AHON JUJU CULT
What is Ahon?
The Ahon juju cult is perhaps the most honorable, decent, and prestigious institution of the Bakossi folklore societies. This allegorical, yet entertaining and diverting culture is noble amid the jujus (AKALERH) of the Bakossiland (Ekorseh). Any person initiated into the Ahon juju is referred to as Nhon and uses the designated letters ‘Nhon’ before his names. However, a man of considerable wealth may also be addressed as Nhon, but this does not make him a member of the Ahon juju cult. He is not privileged to clad himself in the Ahon regalia or permitted to encroach into the Ahon shrine (Mbourh or abuuh). Dressing yourself up as a Nhon if you're not one is punishable by traditional law and custom.
Is membership stratified?
The Ahon membership is ranked and filed. The very first Ahon rank is called 'Osam'; all new members are of this rank. The second is called 'Epie'nhon,' and the third and final rank is called 'Soh’Nhon.' The Soh’Nhon has ascended to the apex of the Mahogany tree (EMAARH). In this unique class, the new entrant is introduced to the mystics of the inner core of Ahon. The associated rites are performed on a sacred stage in the shrine (MBUORH). All the mysterious and esoteric practices of this celebrated cult occur at this level. Each village has just one or two individuals in this class. To move up the ranks, you must pay a charge accordingly and must not be of doubtful origin. For example, a descendant of a slave cannot be initiated into this abstruse cult, and if by a strange accident a slave descendant is initiated, he may not move up the ladder beyond the rank of ‘Osam’.
What makes this cult superlative?
The Ahon cult is not only sacrosanct, but it is also covert in nature. As a result, the actions of the cult are kept in the closet. In any case, an aspirant rich man who is considered a conspirator by the screening cabal can hardly get initiated into the Ahon juju cult. Screening and background checks are a prerequisite for all new entrants and aspirants. A Nhon must be able to uphold a good preserve of the institutional and societal secrets and mores and be consecrated. Today, because of greed and desperation, some custodians are gradually pitting and eroding the mores by drafting unqualified candidates into the cult, which was a taboo back in the days. This uncouth drafting of new members without preamble into the cult is injecting a gradual degradation and decadence into this cryptic and illustrious cult.
Are women a part of this cult?
Women are also an integral part of this imposing ambiance. A Nhon who has no male offspring can pass on his regalia and all his accolades, as he approaches the end of his life, to his female offspring provided the designee is post-menopause. However, there are limitations in the participation of the female. Females do not dance with an 'elob,' dancing apparel made of horse mane, laced to the upper end of an iron rod used for dancing to articulate the dancing ambiance and mood. Mysteriously displaying an elob during dancing requires specialty esoteric dexterities, the details of which are not in the realm of this writeup. A dexterous Nhon may throw his elob into the skies, and it gets suspended in the air until he commands it to descend. To do this, the Nhon must possess some level of wizardry and shamanism. The details of this working, as I earlier dictated, are not within the ambit of this perusal. Moreover, at any time that a male offspring crops up in the family, this membership is transferred to him without contest.
Is every Chief a Nhon?
All the chiefs are entitled to get initiated into the Ahon cult, and those of them who reject initiation are referred to as Nhon Mbworh or Nhon Mbwog. A Nhon Mbworh is an honorary Nhon, and all uninitiated chiefs bear this title.
What is the significance of the Ahon Lyrics?
All the songs the Behon sing are poetry, given that every Nhon is a poet in our folklore. Besides that, the songs produce the rhythm that enables everyone to enjoy themselves and, in the process, attract some aspirants. This dance is rare and is a vital element of the Ahon juju cult. The dance is staged occasionally and does not last for long, so whenever the opportunity to dance arises, it is spiced with very imposing melody and lyrics.
What are the modalities to become a member?
Membership is generally by inheritance. A dying Nhon may pass on his accolades to one of his offspring, but new members are also recruited during ceremonies and special occasions very often than not. Sometimes a father may choose to initiate his children while he is alive. The initiation fee may differ from village to village. For further detail, consult the Soh’Nhon of your village.
What constitutes the regalia of the Ahon Cult?
The AHON outfit has a conspicuous configuration and represents a distinct sign of class in the society. The attire consists of a red hat called OLAP, a black shirt, a black loin called ODINE, black shoes, and black stockings accentuated with a bag called NGWEM. There's something special in the garments of a Soh’Nhon in that he will always have a red scarf knotted around his waist or neck and dropping from his shoulders towards his lower extremities.
The Ahon cult remains the most celebrated and obscure folklore institution in Ekorseh. Dancing is occasional mostly during the funeral of a deceased Nhon or during special ceremonies such as the inauguration of a top government official from the motherland. There is selective permeability into membership and not without a charge. Also, women are a limited part of the selective membership permeability.
Chief/Nhon George Ntungwe Enongene
Chief of Muabi village