The highest authority of the village is the Fon. He intercedes on behalf of the village with the ancestors. He possessed divine powers. He is considered a political as well as the spiritual leader. The Rong Fon officiates over social and religious ceremonies, performs rituals and rites over the principal cults and deities of the land. He announces final decisions in matters of war, peace and justice. He is the custodian of tradition and an embodiment of the customs and culture of the Rong people. He appoints as well as relieves people from positions of responsibility. He decorates outstanding villagers’ for their achievements. The Fon is the high priest as well as the leading figure of the executive, judicial and legislative bodies of the Rong village. His powers are limited by those of the Nwarong society
The Fon is assisted by Sub Chiefs called pkibai or Fai who are administrators of different wards and/or quarters. The pkibais also known as ptarlah-kuh are seven in number and constitute the pillars of Rong village. These ptarlahs had functions which could be considered ministerial because they perform special functions by virtue of their positions. The pkibai are the people who meet in a succession council and decide on whom to enthrone as a new fon when a fon died or disappeared from the palace. Shu Fai Ndzigamnsi is the most senior kibai in Rong village. His immediate assistant is Shu-Fai Boonya.
The Mayaah is next in rank to the Fon. She acts like a regent in the absence of the Fon. She assumes the duty of the Fon in the event of a vacancy and/or physical incapacitation. She is in charge of women affairs in the village. She executes delegated functions from the Fon.
Next to the Mayaah is the Faidom. As stated earlier, this is headed by Fai Kuh Ndzigamsi.The Fais intercedes on behalf of the different families with their ancestors. They also receive delegated powers from the Fon.They settle disputes in different families and organize community labour when need arises.
The next important institution is the village traditional council. This is headed by a Chairman appointed by the Fon. The village council acts like the judiciary arm of the village. The village council implements community labours and settles disputes in the village.
The Sheys, Tantohs, Nformis, Tamfus, Gweis and other title holders are appointed by the Fon. They represent either families or secret societies in the village. They implement traditional injunction orders, settle disputes and perform other important functions in the village.
TRADITIONAL INSTITUTIONS
The Nwarong is the most important institution of the land. It acts like a criminal court or military tribunal. It polices the land and also maintains security. It executes death sentence on people accuse of witchcraft and those who have committed serious crimes. At times punishment is in the form of banishment, severe beatings or confiscation of property. The nwarong also disciplines the fon if he violated the laws of the land. In short the nwarong is responsible for the restoration of the violated mores of the land.
The most dreaded traditional institution in Rong village is the Nsingong headed by Shu Fai Ndzigamnsi. Other important members of this institution are Shu Fai Ndzigamnguh of Ntumbaw and Fai Shoo of Nseh Makop village. Membership which is hereditary is limited to seven. The nsingong protects and purifies the land from evil.
The next important institution is the Ngiri. Here membership is restricted to the royal family. Though the ngiri played a similar role, the nwarong exercised greater control over the fon.
The nfuh, the war society was opened to all males. The nfuh fought wars of expansion and defended the Rong village. Beside the military functions the nfuh also had a dancing wing, which was used in the death celebration of members, and some notables such as title holders, lineage heads and chiefs. The leader of the nfuh society was the Nformi.
Another society similar to the nfuh was the Samba or the manjong. This institution had structures similar to those of the Nfuh but membership was extended to foreigners in Rong village.
The Toh was the women dance of Rong village. Membership is not restricted but open to all.
The Ndapngong. This was the traditional house of the land. It is in the Ndapngong that new Fons are coronated and traditional rites performed. Traditional rites are performed in the ndapngong before each planting and harvesting season.
The Pfim: This is the grave yard of all late Fons. This is the most sacred place in Rong village. It is in the pfim that current Fons intercede with their ancestors on behalf of the population.
FAI NDZIGAMNGUH (FAI SOP) OF NTUMBAW AND RONG VILLAGE
Fai Ndzighamnguh is originally of Rong village. When the Ntumbaw people arrived their present site the Rong people welcomed them as their warr brothers. Fai Ndzighamnguh was designated by the Rong people as the traditional cup holder and landlord to the Ntumbaw people. As a senior Kibai in Rong village, Ndzighamnguh was a member of the dreaded nsingong society. He still played this role as landlord to the Ntumbaw people. He would report to Rong village each time the nsingong would come out to purify the land. Ndzighamnguh and Ndzighamnsi were the leaders of the nsingong society. Both of them were the most respected Kibais in both Ntumbaw and Rong because of the important role they played in the two villages. They all performed tradition in Ntumbaw and Rong villages together. It is believed that at one moment in history, the Ntumbaw people urge him to create his own nsingong. When this was done several people in the Ndzighamnguh family died as this was a violation of the established tradition of the land. Ndzigamnguh escaped to Wat because of the misfortune he has brought to his family. He fell sick and was compel to come and perform traditional sacrifices in Rong village. Chechfon , his elder brother handed back his traditional cup, a goat and the” nking” (gong) to Rong village until traditional sacrifices were performed. Out of anger, Ndzighamnguh escaped from Ntumbaw and settled among the Sop people in Ngvu. To him, Ntumbaw deceived him and he lost most members of his family. He is still strongly attached to Rong village and still plays a prominent role in both Ntumbaw and Rong village. The Rong people are responsible for the enthronement of Fais in the Ndzighamnguh family.
FONS WHO HAVE GOVERNED RONG UP TO DATE
Number | Name of Ruler | Place Governed |
1 | Ndimbong- | Founder of Rong village |
2 | Nyagang | Died at Marong in Mbirboh Mbot |
3 | Tonila | Led the Rong people from Marong to the Mbawplain |
4 | Wembo | Died in Wanse Mountain |
5 | Tfumnkong | Died in Yamnku Mountain |
6 | Mumbaa | Died at Njinfkfu- Present Rong |
7 | Gamngong | Died at Njinkfu- Present Rong |
8 | Mungeh | Present Rong |
9 | Tonsee | Died at Wat |
10 | Gangtar | Present Rong Village |
11 | Nganjo I | Died (July 5th 1995)Present Rong village |
12 | Nganjo II |
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