Inventory of Tourism Potentials in Njirong Village

INVENTORY OF TOURISM POTENTIALS IN NJIRONG

a)  Natural Attractions

Mountains constitute one of the natural attractions. They form part of Western Highland commonly known as the Bamenda Highlands. These include Mount Wangzi, Mount Yamku and Mount Jaji .They are characterized by steep and gentle slopes, rocky cliffs and water falls. Mount Wangzi and Yamku have very sharp peaks.Yamku has a special rock carved into a chair called ‘‘Ndzighamzi’’. This rock-like chair was used in crowning previous Fons like Fon Gantar. Mount Jaji has a vast undulating plateau at the top while the side overlooking the Mbawrong is characterized by deep valleys and gorges. Even though these mountains are visible from the plateau, they are much more visible from the plain. Climbing to the summit gives a full appreciation of mountain splendor. That is, one enjoys the cold mountain wind, its calmness with noise from birds singing on the trees. One equally has a panoramic view of the vast lowland area commonly known as the ‘‘Mbawrong.’’ Mount Wangzi is so particular for its composite cones where one can ascend and descend on the same mountain range. These mountains are also characterized with beautiful mountain vegetation which save as habitat for some animals and birds’ species (monkeys and gorillas).Sections of the slopes of Mount Jaji, Wangzi and Yamku comprises of stunted grasses at the top, sparse wooden savanna in the middle and a natural forest at the foot. Some species of the trees like Pegium make it special because it is exploited and use in the pharmaceutical industries.

Rivers here take their rise from the highland area of the village and flow southward toward the lowland. The major rivers include Marong, Miarin, Nfi, Nooh, and Nku-Sop. They are rich in aquatic species. For example at the deep river pools of river Marong, Nku-Sop and Miarin are found crocodiles, Hippopotamus  that mostly migrate toward the Mappe dam constructed on river Miarin. It is worth mentioning that all these rivers are tributaries to river Miarin while Miarin is a tributary to river Sanaga. There are also species of fish like tilapia, and mudfish.Flora and fauna species also make up for tourism potential in this area. Examples of fauna species include Green long tail, Cameroon olive pigeon, Cameroon blue headed bird, Bamenda apalis, weavers, Turaco Banneman (having green, red, yellow feathers reflecting the colour of Cameroon flag). This is very special in this locality because its red feather is used in decorating title holders (see plate B below). Other species include Baboons, migratory Buffalos, African Golden cat, yellow duiker, and rodents like squirrel and cane rats.

More so, caves are good historical sites for they were used as refuge centers during wars. Today they serve as hiding places for animals when they sense danger from hunters but could be great tourist sites. (The wangsi cave is of historical magnitude). The lowland (Mbawrong) is separated from the highland by a continuous escarpment. This area allows for a good vision of the mountains and hills surrounding it. The soils here are fertile and favour the cultivation of different crop species ranging from food to cash crops.

  

Human attractions

Socio-culturally, the population of Njirong has a wide range of culture which varies from feeding and dressing habits, social organization, her local architecture, belief, rites and ceremonies as well as rhythms and dances. These cultural potentials are both material and immaterial. What is good to know here is that, though it can be distinguished as such, it is inseparable, because no object is doom. The local architecture is wonderful. Typical traditional houses are built using local material like bamboo for building and thatch for roofing. Though the pattern of constructing houses has been modified, these traditional houses are still maintained especially around the palace and where cultural manifestations take place.

Their dressing style can be seen especially during manifestation and traditional ceremonies. During this period men dress with black cap weaved of fibre alongside embroidered gown over skirt-like pieces of cloth as seen on plate D below. The cap may have a red feather if the person is a title holder. Women on the other hand wear blouses with two pieces of loin cloth. The main traditional dish is corn fufu and Huckle berry which is prepared during traditional gathering.

Most beliefs are accompanied with rites and ceremonies. The population of Njirong believes that there is a god of the soil, who governs all the agrarian activities. As a result honour is given to it at the beginning of each planting and harvesting period respectively. This is done first of all by visiting the sacred shrine in the sacred forest where some rituals are performed. Then the queen mother must be the first to plant while the community plant after her. This goes same for harvesting. In addition there is a big ceremony when a Fon ‘‘disappears’’. The Wimbum people in general and those of Njirong in particular believes that a Fon never dies but ‘‘disappears’’. During this period, the community is not allowed to do any farm work and other activities except preparation in readiness for commemoration. This period can last for two weeks in which rituals and other traditional rites are performed on the land. 

At this time Nsingong, the most dreaded sacred society of the land goes round the borders of the village, preventing any ills that might befall the village during this period of ‘‘blackout’’. 

After this, follows the enthronement of a new Fon and the opening of the commemoration proper. This is signal by gun shots. This is followed by big celebrations which involve all villages of the Nkambe plateau. Days are allocated for each village to animate through their traditional dances and ‘juju’ display.The annual traditional dances are also big events in this locality as it regroups sons and daughters from far and near to participate in the event. Furthermore the rhythm and dancing styles are splendid with instruments like drums, flutes, wooden gong, and xylophones and mask while dressed in beautiful traditional attire. These dances are performed according to social classes, age, and sex. For instance ‘‘Nfuh’’ is men’s dance. It is an old dance that took place after victory at warfront. Today in this area ‘‘Nfuh’’ is danced on special occasions especially during the death of a Fon or notable as well as a prince and princesses. Samba on the other hand is also a men’s dance when they come together. ‘‘Mbaya’’ is entirely a youth dance. While ‘‘Tooh’ ’and ‘‘Njuh’’ are women dances.

Economically the activities of this region are also a potential for the development of tourism. For example agriculture, craft work, apiculture , aquaculture . Agriculture is the main activity here and involves about 80 % of the community. The major crops cultivated in the area include, corn, beans Irish potatoes, rice, groundnuts, yellow yams, plantain cassava, Arabica (plateau) and Robusta coffee (plain), oil palm, and cocoa, and rearing of animals like cattle, goats, pigs. Cultivation techniques include bush fallowing, intensive subsistence (plateau) and to a lesser extent shifting cultivation slash and burn method (plain). One of the most important tourism aspects is the way the society procures food supply. Agriculture promotes tourism from the substantive relation between the indigenes and diet.

Fishing is also one of the economic activities in this region and takes place in rivers Marong, Nfi and Nku-sop that are found on the plain. Apiculture constitutes a lucrative economic activity. Njirong is the leading village in the production of honey. Good refined white and brown honey, can all be obtained from this region and has medicinal value such as the treatment of cough, wounds, insect bites. 

Finally craft work cannot be ignored. Here bamboo, elephant stalk and fibres are used to weave mats, trays, baskets, caps as well as other decorative objects. Wood is used in the carving of traditional walking sticks, masks; see plate E below, stools and other furniture. Wood carving has a greater prospective to the development of tourism because this sector stands as a warehouse of the people’s culture.   Bamboos are used to make cupboard, tables, chairs and beds. Even though smiting is practiced it is to a lesser extent. Embroidery is widely done and involves the production of traditional gowns bags and caps.

Social Amenities

There is the absence of tourism infrastructure. No accommodation facilities (hotels, inn). Leisure centers are not present but for local bars where brewed beer and traditional beer commonly known as ‘‘shaah’’ is sold. As for road infrastructures, there is a ring road that cut across Bamenda to Nkambe passing through Ndu. The road network is accessible though there are patches that are untarrred which render circulation difficult in the rainy and dry season when there is mud and dust respectively. From the Kakar junction (Ndu), Njirong is linked by a trans-African road as on map 2. She is poor in relation to the availability of Social amenities (electricity, pipe borne water, and telecommunication) are also absent, but for a government school and health centre where non serious cases can be taken care of, before transporting the patient to a bigger hospital. All these can be summarize on table 2 below.

Promoting Tourism in Njirong Village

The promotion of ecotourism in Njirong begins first of all by protecting the environment. Then consider the visitor and their needs. There is a direct relationship between a place and what it can offer. The protection of these ecotourism sites means preserving the place by ensuring that within these sites the best places are retained.  For example features offering spectacular views, solitude and serenity, unique ecological balance and unique cultural association. These are the things that attract tourists, thus need to be protected. The visitor and his needs depend on what nature has provided in that area. For example if there is a mountain in an area, then the type of visitors could be mountaineers, whose activity could be to participate in mountain race or mountain trekking.For their needs, it implies putting in place structures and facilities that will favour the evolution of ecotourism activities in this area. It is worth mentioning that ecotourism is just a segment of tourism and thus requires specific solutions. Notwithstanding, care should be taken when providing some of these needs in order not to threaten the ecology.

Njirong can provide several ecotourism activities as a result of what her natural potentials offer. Therefore, the need to develop and promote these activities; so as to enhance ecotourism in the locality. For instance, her numerous mountains can be used to organize international mountain race just like the Mount Cameroon race. Given the fact that some of the winners of Mount Cameroon Race of Hope (Ngwang Catherine and Lawan Ibrahim) are from this locality and have been using these mountains for training, Other activities that can take place on these mountains include: purification (retreat) camping, trekking and discoveries (Wala 2002) since they are void of noise pollution common in our towns.