Creation of the Council:

Bamenda II Council is a Local Authority created by Presidential Decrees No. 2007/115 of 13th April 2007 and No. 2007/117 of 24th April 2007.

Composition of the Council:

The Council falls within the Ngemba Ethnic Group, covers the four villages of Mankon, Nsongwa, Chomba and Mbatu, with Headquarters in Mankon and comprises 128 Quarters. Being a Cosmopolitan Municipality, it has migrants from different Regions and countries who have settled in specific quarters of the town. The most important migrant group that stimulated growth and development in the Municipality were the Hausas from Northern Nigeria. The Council comprises 31 Municipal Councillors, out of which 07 are women and 24 males.

Location:

The Bamenda II Council area is delineated by the Bamenda II Sub-division, one of the seven administrative units (Sub-divisions) of Mezam Division in the North West Region of Cameroon. It lies between Latitudes 5052’52’’ and 604’03’’ North of the Equator and Longitudes 1002’02’’ and 10010’10’’ East of the Greenwich Meridian. This Council area is bordered by six Councils viz: Bafut to the North, Bamenda III and Bamenda I Councils to the East, Santa Council to the South, then Bali and Mbengwi Councils to the West.

Surface Area and Population:

The surface area of Bamenda II Council is estimated at 1,482km2, with a projected population of 268,006 (Two Hundred and Sixty-eight Thousand, and Six) persons in 2020.

Climate:

Bamenda II Council has diverse climates within its geographical area, known with its topography of plains and hills. Its climate is described as that of mild tropical. The Rainy Season usually stretches from mid-March to late October and it is characterized by heavy rains and relatively warmer temperatures. Heavy rainfall is usually experienced in the months of July to September, while there is high humidity during the months of July and August, and low in January and February. The Dry Season here begins in November and runs till mid-March. It is characterized by strong sunshine during the day and very cold nights and mornings. There is a lot of dust during the Dry Season that covers the roads, which in turn produces lots of mud in the Rainy Season. The driest month is January.

Religion:

There are 03 main types of Religious practices in the communities viz: Christianity, Islam and Traditional Religion. Christianity is the largest religious body practised in all the villages of the Council area. Islam is strong especially in Ntambag (Old Town) and was brought in by the Hausa and Fulani. Traditional Religion is mainly based on the worship of ancestors and goes with shrines where sacrifices are performed.

Cultural Heritage:

The Ngemba people, who make up the Council Area have a lot to exhibit about themselves that has been handed down from their fore parents. Notably are: the arts (craft work, bamboo work, weaving, embroidery and knitting, pottery), dress, housing, festivals, food, courtship and marriages, birth rites, divorce, death rites, widowhood, and the situation of the woman.

The principal Traditional dances include Samba, Mbagalum and Njang, with musical instruments like drums, xylophones, flutes and rattles of various kinds. The most common music enjoyed is the Bottle Dance.

The traditional dress is the embroidered material made in several colours, called the ‘’toghu’’ and common in the entire North West Region. The characteristic traditional caps and gowns are common. Today this traditional dress is often used as a Cameroon National symbol and identity especially when the country is participating at global sporting and cultural events.

Sports:

To promote Sports and Leisure within the Council Area, there is 01 Municipal Stadium and a Parcour Vita.

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