The mother of cardinal Tumi blows her 117th candle

The locality of Kikaikelaki in the District of Kumbo, Northwest region, will pay a tribute to Ms. Tumi Catherine Lakha, the mother of Cardinal Christian Tumi. This event will take place December 27, 2014, during her 117th anniversary.

Cardinal Christian Tumi, the best-known of his children, revealed that his mother had 12 children. But only three are still alive. "With us, it is the youngest who go first! My older sister is still there. She has even seen her children, her grandchildren, and her great grandchildren. Me, I can't remember everyone, but imagine that mum remembers all her offspring very well even until the fifth generation! It is extraordinary! She has what is called a real elephant memory!", explained in the columns of the daily Le Jour, Archbishop Emeritus of Douala in 2009.

The idea of the celebration, according to Cardinal Tumi, comes from one of his nieces who lives in the United States. "Fidelia had the idea. This is my direct niece. She is about 50 years old, and she lives in the United States, where she works. As an individual, I did not organise anything. Fidelia suggested and we the rest of the family were not against, he assured. This will be an opportunity to celebrate the life, and also death," noted Christian Wiyghan Tumi.

One of the brothers of the cardinal, Michael, died shortly before this celebration at the age of 82, and was buried 12 December 2014 in Kumbo. It is the latter who lived alongside his mother. I remember that she had an oral testament. She said that if anyone is to be appreciated after her death, it would be Michael. My mother certainly believed that she would die before him’.