Achirimbi II
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Achirimbi II was the tenth king or Fon of Bafut who ruled over Bafut and adjoining areas in a semi-autonomous fashion. His reign lasted from 1932 to 1968, and included the time of handover from the British protectorate of British Cameroon to the independent country of Cameroon. He was preceded by Abumbi I and succeeded by Abumbi II.
He alienated himself from other Fons by being sympathetic to the British cause. He was awarded a Certificate of Honour in 1946 by the British government 'as a record of the valuable services rendered by him to his own country and people and to the British Government... and loyal services given to the Administration in the maintenance of good order'.
Achirimbi II took advantage of his favourable standing with the administration and sought compensation for loss of sovereignty to arrogate to himself the residual powers the sub-chiefs or the Atangchuo, had retained over land matters and other disputes.
He was befriended by the famous naturalist Gerald Durrell, who visited Bafut on his animal-collecting expeditions twice in 1949 and 1957. The Fon helped Durrell substantially in these expeditions. The books written by Durrell about these expeditions - The Bafut Beagles and A Zoo in My Luggage - portray the Fon mostly in a humorous fashion, lampooning his polygamy, anglophily and alcoholism, but also in more flattering ways as well. The Fon awarded Durrell the ceremonial dress and staff during his second expedition.
Fon Achirimbi II is famous for having remarked about the choice to join independent Cameroon or independent Nigeria from the British Cameroons in 1961, saying it was a choice between the "Fire and the Deep Sea".
He was considered by many as being progressive and willing to experiment with new ideas. He was treated with respect by both colonial administrators and nationalist politicians.
[edit] Reference
- Achirimbi II: Fon of Bafut, written by Michael Aletum Tabuwé
| Preceded by: Abumbi I |
Fon of Bafut 1932–1968 |
Succeeded by: Abumbi II |
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Institutions associated with: Jersey Zoo • Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust • Wildlife Trust • Wildlife Preservation Canada • Mauritian Wildlife Foundation • Madagascar Fauna Group Co-conservationists: Lee Durrell • David Attenborough • Peter Scott • Jeremy Mallinson • Edward Whitley Expeditions undertaken: Argentina • Australia • Belize • Bhutan • Cameroon • India • Madagascar • Malaysia • Mauritius • Mexico • New Zealand • Paraguay • Russia • Sierra Leone Species associations: Aye-Aye • Gorilla • Mauritius Kestrel • Pink Pigeon • Pigmy Hog • Rockfowl • St. Lucia Parrot • Volcano Rabbit Books authored: The Overloaded Ark • Three Singles to Adventure • The Bafut Beagles • The New Noah • The Drunken Forest • My Family and Other Animals • Encounters with Animals • A Zoo in My Luggage • The Whispering Land • Island Zoo • A Look at Zoos • Menagerie Manor • Two in the Bush • The Donkey Rustlers • Rosie is My Relative • Birds, Beasts and Relatives • Fillets of Plaice • Catch Me a Colobus • Beasts in My Belfry • The Talking Parcel • The Stationary Ark • Golden Bats and Pink Pigeons • The Garden of the Gods • The Picnic and Suchlike Pandemonium • The Mockery Bird • Ark on the Move • The Amateur Naturalist • How to Shoot an Amateur Naturalist • Durrell in Russia • The Fantastic Flying Journey • The Fantastic Dinosaur Adventure • The Ark's Anniversary • Keeper • Toby the Tortoise • Marrying Off Mother and Other Stories • The Aye-Aye and I • Puppy Tales • The Best of Gerald Durrell Illustrators: Ralph Thompson • Edward Mortelmans • Peter Barrett • Graham Percy • Keith West • Cliff Wright Famous TV Series: Two in the Bush • Catch Me a Colobus • The Garden of the Gods • The Stationary Ark • Ark on the Move • The Amateur Naturalist • Ourselves and Other Animals • Durrell in Russia Notable others: Jacquie Durrell • Lawrence Durrell • Achirimbi II • Theodore Stephanides • Douglas Botting |
