A long time ago, there was a powerful king named Gawolbe. He was the leader of the Chamber people and was known for his bravery and wisdom.
Gawolbe had six children—Gansin, Kontan, Nanyonga, Gham, Muti, and Gashu. When he died, his children could not agree on who should be king, so they each created their own kingdoms.
This led to the birth of the Seven Balis, which are Bali Nyonga, Bali Gashu, Bali Gansin, Bali Kontan, Bali Muti, Bali Gham, and Bali Kumbat.
However, it is important to know that Bali Kumbat was not founded by one of Gawolbe’s children. Instead, it was started by a soldier from Gawolbe’s army, a man who was strong and respected.
Now, let’s look at what happened after Gawolbe’s death and how his children built their own kingdoms.
The Death of Gawolbe and the Fight for Power
Gawolbe died in a great battle called the Battle of Bafau Fundong. After his death, his children started fighting over who would take his place as king.
By tradition, the eldest son, Gansin, was supposed to be king. But the people thought he was too weak to lead. On the other hand, Nanyonga, his daughter, was very strong and wise, but tradition did not allow a woman to rule. This created a big problem, and soon, the brothers started to fight among themselves.
In the end, each child took their followers and moved to a different place, starting their own kingdoms. This is how the Seven Balis were formed.
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The Seven Balis and Their Founders
1. Bali Gansin
Gansin, as the first son of Gawolbe, was expected to take over his father’s throne.
However, many people doubted his ability to rule because he was seen as weak and indecisive.
When the kingdom broke apart, Gansin gathered his loyal followers and moved east of Balikumbat, in what is now Ngoketunjia division.
There, he established Bali Gansin, a kingdom that carried forward the traditions of the Chamber people.
Even though he never became the great king his father once was, he managed to keep his people together and protect their cultural identity. His descendants continued to rule, ensuring that the name of Gansin lived on.
2. Bali Gashu
Gashu, unlike his elder brother Gansin, was known for his strength and leadership. He had been trained as a warrior under his father and had proven himself in many battles. After the fall of the Chamber kingdom, Gashu led his people to Ngoketunjia, where he founded Bali Gashu.
His leadership style was strict, but he ensured the safety and unity of his people. His kingdom became well-organized, with strong military defenses to protect against outside attacks. Over time, Bali Gashu grew into a respected territory, known for its warrior culture and disciplined leadership.
3. Bali Nyonga
Nanyonga was one of the most remarkable figures among Gawolbe’s children. She was intelligent, brave, and had the ability to lead, but because she was a woman, she was not allowed to rule as king.
Despite this, she refused to be left out of history. Instead of submitting to the decisions of her brothers, she took her supporters and founded Bali Nyonga, which became one of the most powerful Bali kingdoms.
At first, many doubted that a woman could lead a kingdom, but Nanyonga proved them wrong. She established strong leadership, ensuring that her people had good governance, security, and economic growth.
Over time, Bali Nyonga expanded and absorbed Bali Kontan, strengthening its position as a dominant Bali kingdom. Today, Bali Nyonga remains one of the most well-known Bali settlements, and its history is closely tied to the legacy of Nanyonga’s leadership.
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4. Bali Kontan
Kontan, another son of Gawolbe, also sought to create his own kingdom. He founded Bali Kontan, which, in the early years, was a thriving settlement.
However, as the years passed, Bali Kontan could not compete with the larger and more powerful Bali Nyonga. Eventually, it was absorbed into Bali Nyonga, making Kontan’s independent kingdom disappear.
Despite this, the people of Bali Kontan continued to exist within Bali Nyonga, contributing to its traditions and history.
5. Bali Muti
Muti, unlike his siblings, did not settle in Cameroon permanently. After the collapse of Gawolbe’s kingdom, Muti and his followers started moving northward, passing through Nkambe before finally settling in Taraba State, Nigeria.
The migration was not easy, as they had to face attacks from rival groups and survive in unfamiliar territories. However, Muti was determined, and with the help of his warriors, he was able to establish Bali Muti in Nigeria.
Even though they were far from the other Bali kingdoms, the people of Bali Muti did not forget their roots. They continued to practice the customs and traditions of the Chamber people, ensuring that their cultural heritage was not lost. Today, the descendants of Bali Muti still live in Nigeria, maintaining a strong connection to their history.
6. Bali Gham
Gham, the youngest of Gawolbe’s sons, was known for his fiery personality and fearlessness. While his older brothers fought over power, Gham focused on protecting his father’s sacred items and war relics. Many people respected him because of his dedication and bravery.
After the collapse of Gawolbe’s kingdom, Gham refused to serve under any of his brothers. Instead, he led a group of warriors and created his own settlement called Bali Gham. His rule was based on military strength, and he was so feared that people began calling him Gavadbe, meaning “the king of death.” His kingdom was small but powerful, and his people were known as fierce warriors who never backed down from a fight.
Even though Bali Gham did not grow as large as some of the other Bali kingdoms, it remained significant because of its strong military presence and the respect Gham commanded. His legacy as a fearless warrior-king continued long after his death, with his people maintaining a tradition of strength and discipline.
7. Bali Kumbat
Unlike the other six Balis, Bali Kumbat was not founded by one of Gawolbe’s children. Instead, it was started by a powerful soldier in Gawolbe’s army.
This soldier was very skilled in battle and was highly respected. Because of his loyalty and leadership, he was allowed to create his own kingdom.
Bali Kumbat is located in Ngoketunjia division, near Ndop. Even though it was not started by one of Gawolbe’s sons, it still shares a lot of Bali culture and traditions with the other Bali kingdoms.
Why Did the Chamber Kingdom Split?
The main reason the Chamber kingdom broke apart was because of fighting over who should be king. The people did not trust Gansin, the first son, because they thought he was too weak. Nanyonga, who was strong, could not rule because she was a woman.
This left the other sons to fight for power. Gham was the only one who stayed in the palace, trying to protect his father’s legacy. He was ready to fight anyone, even his own brothers, to keep Gawolbe’s kingdom strong.
Because of this, the family could not stay together, and each child went their own way, starting new kingdoms.
