Nwirong Bze’e is an ancient cultural art collection from a small West African village known as Baligan si’in situation in the North West Region of Cameroon. This collection almost a millennium old and estimate from world cultural experts says they are worth over USD$3,6 – 3,800,000 within the international cultural art world. Nwirong Bze’e ancient art collection is registered with UNESCO under the UNESCO International cultural heritage data base with Reg# “UNESCO792657HMU-CM”. This art collection is rich in history and of great cultural heritage to the people from these villages.
According to their Certificate of Authenticity, examined and certified by the German colonial Cultural experts in 1912, this collection dates back to 13 Century Produced by the Baligan si’in people in honor of their founding fathers and fallen heroes (Direct descendants of Mangeh). Many Tribal wars have been fought over this art collection as they are believed to be the deities ‘gods’ of protection and prosperity to the people in control and have changed hands from village to village over the centuries through bloody tribal wars but have been under Baligan si’in ownership authority for over a two Centuries now.
Extraordinary Exquisite 3.8 Million USD “Nwirong Bze’e” Art Collection Transitional History
Ownership Transitions over Span of 800 years as follows
Early 13 Century handcrafted by the Baligan si’in people in honor of their founding fathers and fallen heroes
End of 14 Century was under the Baligashu village for half a century; obtained through severe bloody tribal war over a disputed piece of land diving the two villages.
Early the 15 Century, Returned to the Baligan si’in village through negotiations and interventions from sibling villages.
Mid 15 Century was under the Bafanji Village for a short period of less than 20 years; obtained through tribal war for procession of the Nwirong Bze’e
Towards the end of 16 Century went back to Baligashu Village for less than a decade; obtained through tribal war for procession of the Nwirong Bze’e
End of the 16 Century was under the Bamunkumbit Village for almost 6 decades; obtained through and almost decade long tribal war with Bamunkumbit and Baligan si’in against Baligashu Village for procession of the Nwirong Bze’e
17 Century went back to the Baligan si’in people under Fon Gwarrlav till date through mutual negotiations and intervention of foreign (German) colonial matters.
Note Bafanji, Baligan si’in,Baligashu, Balikumbat, Bamunkumbit are all siblings and descendants of “Mangeh” the ruler of the ancient Mangeh village.
Nwirong Bze’e Ancient Mythological Ritual Practices And Beliefs
In the past, Its was a well established traditional mythology for over 400 years, that villages associated or in possession of these artifacts practiced Human Sacrificial Rituals with Nwirong Bze’e, as ancient records shows that during intertribal wars, many rival defeated captured tribe chiefs, war lords and village heads were beheaded on Nwirong Bze’e for Sacrificial rituals as sign of victory, call for prosperity and ownership control. The Nwirong Bze’e collection was regarded and worshipped as deities “gods” to the Baligan si’in people and related sibling villages, and had been the cause of many tribal wars and bad blood within tribes for their control and ownership. Local record has numerous human rituals sacrifices being performed on these artifacts for over the first four centuries.
These objects and noble materials are strictly controlled by the kings and have a great cultural heritage on the Baligan si’in people/community. Regarding the history of these cultural relics in question; they are over 8 centuries and has always been considered as a witness of values and legacies throughout North West Cameroon in general “Baligan si’in” people in particular where all these statues have always represented commemorating the memory of valiant warriors who died during tribal wars between clans and neighboring villages.