Fon (title)

A Fon is a chieftain or king of a region of Cameroon, especially among the Widikum, Tikar, and Bamiléké peoples of the Bamenda grass fields (the Northwest, West Region) and the Lebialem of the South West Region. Though once independent rulers, most Fons were brought under the German rule or military subjugation during the colonial period. Following the defeat of the Germans in World War I, the Fons came under British or French rule, depending on whether their territory fell into British Cameroon or French Cameroon. Since Cameroon's independence in 1961, the Fons are under the jurisdiction of the Government of Cameroon. However, they maintain semi-autonomous union councils and jurisdiction over their hereditary land.