Rock of GodRock of God centres on a significant war that Nso fought with Bamoun in the 1880s, and which war resulted in a devastating defeat for the Bamouns. During this war, a major Nso combat rule was broken: the Sultan (king) of Bamoun was decapitated. Both local story tellers and historians have indicated that the Sultan was only supposed to be captured alive. The play explores some very compelling reasons for this violation. It mocks any attempt at categorization because the events involved are as historically relevant as they are anthropologically profound; as literarily dense as they are linguistically compelling. It surely stands on its own because it clearly combines concepts of docu-drama, morality play, classical theatre, historical drama, and much more. But beyond all else, it is great artistry that demonstrates the genius of experimentation. |
Common terms and phrases
aboriginal Africa anger Bah Gham Bamoun kingdoms beat the throne blood bride price Bukap calabash Cameroon clan Crowd Gwei dance eight hundred eyes enemy Exit Faa and Maa father fear festivities fig tree fighting Fon has eight Fon of Nso Fon Yes Fonkimbang foreign king Foumban Gham Bah hands head Kilán kola nut Lamnso land Legend holds leopard lion of Bamkov lord machetes Manjong Mankon Mantum Matapi Mbam Mbing Tawong Mbinkar Mbinglo Mbombo Mefiri Menang Ngaiwir Mentsengong Mfombam Mformi Bah Mformi Gham Mfuh Mighty millipede Momban Mopete mother Nchare Nchare-Yen Ndzev Ngomba Ngon-Nso Ngongbaah Njoya Nso and Bamoun Nso kingdom numbers Nwerong masquerade Nyùy palace palm wine princess raffia palm rainbow Rock royal Sanguv sealed Seydou sister spear stop story Sultan sure Tabesov Tatah Tav Ngon Tavnjong Tawong Mbing Tawong Your majesty tell Tikar truth victory day warriors word Yewong