English ,
43-626: The Bamiléké are a group of 90 closely related peoples who inhabit the Western High Plateau of Cameroon . According to Dr John Feyou de Hapy, Bamiléké means people of faith. The Bamileke languages are Grassfields languages that belong to the Southern Bantoid branch of the Niger-Congo language family. Most Bamiléké historical narratives detail an origin along the Nile River in what
86-500: A raffia -pole frame into four square walls. Builders then stuff the resulting holes with grass and cover the whole building with mud. The thatched roof is typically shaped into a tall cone. In the present day, however, this type of construction is mostly reserved for barns, storage buildings, and gathering places for various traditional secret societies . Instead, modern Bamileke homes are made of bricks of either sun-dried mud or of concrete. Roofs are usually made of metal sheeting. During
129-540: A Bamileke king, called a Fon, is often represented by the elephant, buffalo, and leopard. Oral traditions proclaim that the Fon may transform into either an elephant or leopard whenever he chooses. An elephant mask, called a mbap mteng, has protruding circular ears, a human-like face, and decorative panels on the front and back that hang down to the knees and are covered overall in beautiful geometric beadwork, including triangular imagery. Isosceles triangles are prevalent, as they are
172-467: A fruit called "brazilia pods", "uxi nuts" or "uxi pods". They grow up to 16 metres (52 ft) tall and are remarkable for their compound pinnate leaves , the longest in the plant kingdom; leaves of R. regalis up to 25 metres (82 ft) long and 3 metres (9.8 ft) wide are known. The plants are monocarpic , meaning that they flower once and then die after the seeds are mature. Some species have individual stems which die after fruiting, but have
215-488: A large role. The plateau experiences an equatorial climate of the Cameroon type. The area experiences two major seasons: A long, wet season of nine months, and a short, dry season of three months. During the wet season, humid, prevailing monsoon winds blow in from the west and lose their moisture upon hitting the region's mountains. Average rainfall per year ranges from 1,000 mm to 2,000 mm. High elevations give
258-486: A man's death, all of his possessions typically go to a single, male heir. Polygamy (more specifically, polygyny ) is practiced, and some important individuals may have literally hundreds of wives. Marriages typically involve a bride price to be paid to the bride's family. It is argued that the Bamileke inheritance customs contributed to their success in the modern world: "Succession and inheritance rules are determined by
301-413: A price, however. There were often agreements with these other countries to exchange these precious luxury commodities for slaves, gold, oil, ivory and some types of fine woods. An analysis of Bamileke sculpture found that artists do not produce but create. For the Bamileke statues reliefs and paintings represent life forces that safeguard intangible attributes of death that allow them to live eternally. For
344-406: A root system which remains alive and sends up new stems which fruit. Raffia fiber is produced from the epidermal membrane on the underside of the leaf fronds. The membrane is taken off to create a long thin fiber, which can be rolled together for added strength before they are finally dried. Fibres can be made into twine , rope , garden ties, and used in tree grafting. Fibres are important in
387-618: A significant factor in the national economy, their success has also generated some jealousy and resentment, especially among the original inhabitants of areas where Bamiléké migration occurred." A number of Black people across the Americas , such as Erykah Badu and Jessica Williams , have traced their lineage back to the Bamiléké people through genetic testing . In one genetic study, Bamileke-related genetic variations were found throughout Central, Southern and East Africa . The researchers caution
430-443: A system of strong family obligations prevented a drain on individual financial resources. Rather than spend all of the inheritance maintaining unproductive family members, the heir could, in the contemporary period, utilize his resources in more financially productive ways such as for savings and investment. [...] Finally, the system of inheritance, along with the large-scale migration resulting from population density and land pressures,
473-540: Is a technique that is unique only to the Cameroon grasslands . Before they were colonized, popular beads were obtained from Sub-Saharan countries like Nigeria and were made of shells, nuts, wood, seeds, ceramic, ivory, animal bone, and metal. Colonization and trade routes with other countries in Europe and the Middle East introduced brightly colored glass beads as well as pearls, coral and rare stones like emeralds. These came at
SECTION 10
#1732876821209516-419: Is considered as the spiritual, political, judicial and military leader. The chief is also considered the 'father' of the chiefdom. He thus has great respect from the population. The successor of the 'father' is chosen among his children. The successor's identity is typically kept secret until the fon's death. The fon typically has 9 ministers and several other advisers and councils. The ministers are in charge of
559-678: Is now Sudan. A survey examining the methods and instruments of communication among the Bamilekes show a common origin with populations along the Nile. Oral tradition collected by Alexis Maxime Feyou de Happy and his son, Joseph, suggested that the arrival of the Bamiléké in Western Cameroon occurred in multiple waves with two primary routes. The first route originated in the North between the Lake Tchad area and
602-549: Is one of the internal incentives that accounts for Bamileke success in the nontraditional world". Donald L. Horowitz also attributes the economic success of the Bamileke to their inheritance customs, arguing that it encouraged younger sons to seek their own living abroad. He wrote in Ethnic groups in conflict : "Primogeniture among the Bamileke and matrilineal inheritance among the Minangkabau of Indonesia have contributed powerfully to
645-637: The Cameroon line and consists of mountain ranges and volcanoes made of crystalline and igneous rock . The region borders the South Cameroon Plateau to the southeast, the Adamawa Plateau to the northeast and the Cameroon coastal plain to the south. The Western High Plateau lies along the Cameroon line , a series of volcanic swells running from the Atlantic Ocean in the southwestern part of
688-626: The Cross River on its lower course, and the Nkam , which is known as the Wouri River on its lower course. The region gives rise to important tributaries to the Sanaga River . These rivers follow a Cameroon regime, a subtype of the equatorial regime of other southern Cameroonian rivers . This means that the rivers experience a long, high-water period during the wet season and a short, low-water period during
731-533: The South Cameroon Plateau . The plateau gives way to the Adamawa Plateau to the northeast, which is a larger but less accidented region. The core of the plateau is made up of volcanic rock , which is ringed by plutonic rock . The base is crystalline and metamorphic rock . The base rock is primarily gneiss and granite that dates to the Precambrian period . A layer of basalt covers this. Vulcanism has created fertile black and brown soils. Erosion played
774-586: The Tikar fondom sometime in the 13th century after being expelled from Ngan Ha, the capital of Mbum following a succession dispute. The Mbum who migrated to their current location from Northern Cameroon are the ancestors of all Grassfields people and now reside in the Adamawa province of Cameroon. In the 17th century , the Bamiléké migrated further south and west under the pressure of the Chamba and Fulani people . When Cameroon
817-400: The Bamileke sculptors are intermediaries who are charged with realizing God's vision through the depiction of symbols and signs. Another study performed by Djoukwo and Wang found that pottery creation among the Bamiléké is used as a form of art therapy. The Bamileke trace their ancestry, inheritance and succession through the male line, and children belong to the fondom of their father. After
860-581: The Bamileke who speak Grassfields languages clustered closely with Narrow Bantu speakers. Within Northern and Grassfields groups, fine-structured analysis distinguished populations living less than 20 km from each other. The study also found that the Shum Laka population cluster closer to Central African rainforest hunter-gatherers than they do to Grassfields populations, and components from Northeast, Northwest, Eastern, Western and Central Africa that contributed to
903-455: The Bamileke. They represent power, strength and bravery, and may also be associated with the Fon. Beadwork is an essential element of Bamileke art and distinguishes it from other regions of Africa. It is an art form that is highly personal in that no two pieces are alike and are often used in dazzling colors that catch the eye. They may be an indication of status based on what kinds of beads are used. Beadwork utilized all over on wooden sculptures
SECTION 20
#1732876821209946-606: The Nile Valley. The second route originated in Nigeria around the Cross River area. Anthropologists G. Spedini and C. Bailly theorized that the Bamileke descend from the Ndobo, " Sudanic savanna dwellers who migrated into Western Cameroon from the north." According to some Bamiléké oral traditions, they are descendants of a Mbum princess named Wouten (also called Betaka) who helped establish
989-401: The area of textiles, as they can be dyed and woven into products such as decorative mats , baskets , placemats , hats, and shoes. The sap of the palm can be fermented into raffia wine. It is traditionally collected by cutting a box in the top of the palm and suspending a large gourd below to collect the milky white liquid. Unlike with oil palms , this process kills the tree. Sap from both
1032-509: The assumption that the Bamileke are the source of the Bantu migration because the genetic variations in the region could have been very different 4000 years ago. The study found that the genetic structure of populations in Cameroon are not completely defined by language groups. The Yemba who are Grassfields people clustered closely to Northern Bantoid speakers. The Mbo who speak a Narrow Bantu language clustered closely with Grassfields speakers. Some of
1075-404: The colonial period, parts of the Bamileke region adopted Christianity , though some of them practice Islam . Today, the dominant form of worship is still ancestral with most Bamileke practicing Veneration of the dead . Death is always met with mystery, and the family is required to turn the body over to an examiner to determine the cause of death. After this is completed, the family must gather at
1118-482: The crowning of the new fon. The Council of Ministers, also known as the Council of Notables, is called Kamveu . In addition, a "queen mother" or mafo was an important figure for some fons in the past. Below the fon and his advisers lie several ward heads, each responsible for a particular portion of the village. Some Bamileke groups also recognize sub-chiefs, or fonte . Traditional homes are constructed by first erecting
1161-599: The deceased were conferred upon the heir subject to the approval of the chief, and, in the event of financial inheritance, the heir was not obliged to share this with other family members. The ramifications of this are significant. First, dispossessed family members were not automatically entitled to live off the wealth of the heir. Siblings who did not share in the inheritance were, therefore, strongly encouraged to make it on their own through individual initiative and by assuming responsibility for earning their livelihood. Second, this practice of individual responsibility in contrast to
1204-496: The dry season. The region's rivers ultimately empty into the Atlantic Ocean . The area's accidented geography gives rise to several waterfalls along these waterways. Ekon Falls near Nkongsamba in the West Region is 80 metres high. Crater lakes dot the plateau, the result of dead volcanoes filling with water. The Western High Plateau was once heavily forested. However, repeated cutting and burning by human beings has forced
1247-670: The event that a skull is not well preserved, a special ritual must be performed that consists of the pouring out of libation . The Bamileke are known for elaborate elephant masks used in dance ceremonies or funerals to show the importance of the deceased person. During the homegoing celebration of King Njoya's mother in 1913, elephant masks were worn by those in attendance. Masquerades are an integral part of Bamileke culture and expression. Colorful, beaded masks are donned at special events such as funerals, important palace festivals and other royal ceremonies. The masks are performed by men and aim to support and enforce royal authority. The power of
1290-569: The forest back to areas along the waterways and has allowed grasslands to expand into the area. Sudan savanna forms the dominant vegetation. This consists of grassfields—leading to the name Bamenda grassfields around the city of Bamenda —and short shrubs and trees that shed their foliage during the dry season as a defence against brush fires and dry weather. Raffia palms grow in the valleys and depressions. 6°30′N 10°30′E / 6.500°N 10.500°E / 6.500; 10.500 Raffia Raffia palms are members of
1333-455: The genomes of Grassfields groups. Bamiléké settlements follow a well-organized and structured pattern. Houses of family members are often grouped together and surrounded by small fields. Men typically clear the fields, but it is largely women who work them. Most work is done with tools such as machetes and hoes. Staple crops include cocoyams , groundnuts and maize . Bamiléké settlements are organized as chiefdoms. The chief, or fon or fong
Bamileke people - Misplaced Pages Continue
1376-466: The genus Raphia . The Malagasy name rafia is derived from fia "to squeeze juice ". The genus contains about twenty species of palms native to tropical regions of Africa, and especially Madagascar , with one species ( R. taedigera ) also occurring in Central and South America. R. taedigera is the source of raffia fibers, which are the veins of the leaves, and this species produces
1419-473: The home. Each member must step up to the totem and swear that they were not involved in the death of the loved one. It is believed that if someone in the room really is the murderer, the totem will trap their spirit forever. To satisfy the Ancestors, the person believed to be a murderer must perform a special ritual that consists of the pouring out of libation during the burial ceremony. The family will then gather
1462-719: The hook is attached to a line, which is tied to the stake, making it a fishing pole. The raffia palm is important in societies such as that of the Province of Bohol in the Philippines, Kuba of Democratic Republic of the Congo , Nso of Cameroon , the Igbo and Ibibio / Annang / Bahumono of Southeastern Nigeria , the Tiv of Northcentral Nigeria and Southwestern Cameroons , the Urhobo and Ijaw people of
1505-442: The known symbol of the leopard. Beadwork, shells, bronze, and other precious embellishments on masks elevate the mask's status. On occasion, a Fon may permit members of the community to perform in an elephant mask along with a leopard skin, indicating a statement of wealth, status, and power being associated with this masquerade. Buffalo masks are also very popular and present at most functions throughout Grassland societies, including
1548-462: The palm trees. In local construction, raffia fibres are used for ropes, with branches and leaves providing sticks and supporting beams, and various roof coverings. The people of Ogba kingdom in Rivers State and other southern Nigerians use raffia palm fronds as fishing poles. The frond is usually cut from a young palm tree. The leaves are removed and the stake is dried, which becomes very light, and
1591-476: The plateau to the Adamawa Plateau in the northeast. The region is characterised by accidented relief of massifs and mountains. The Western High Plateau features several dormant volcanoes , including the Bamboutos Mountains , Mount Oku and Mount Kupe . The plateau rises in steps from the west. To the east, it terminates in mountains that range from 1,000 metres to 2,500 metres in height, terminating in
1634-493: The principle of patrilineal descent. According to custom, the eldest son is the probable heir, but a father may choose any one of his sons to succeed him. An heir takes his dead father's name and inherits any titles held by the latter, including the right to membership in any societies to which he belonged. And, until the mid-1960s, when the law governing polygamy was changed, the heir also inherited his father's wives--a considerable economic responsibility. The rights in land held by
1677-440: The propensity of males from both groups to migrate out of their home region in search of opportunity". Here is a list of notable Bamileke or people of Bamileke descent: Bamileke Dance Groups Western High Plateau The Western High Plateau , Western Highlands or Bamenda Grassfields is a region of Cameroon characterised by high relief, cool temperatures, heavy rainfall and savanna vegetation. The region lies along
1720-475: The raffia and oil palms can be allowed to ferment over a few days. When first collected from the tree, it is sweet and appears slightly carbonated. As it ages more sugar is converted. Raffia wine tends to be sweeter at any age when compared to oil palm wine . Both kinds of palm wine can also be distilled into strong liquors, such as Ogogoro . Traditionally in some cultures where raffia or oil palm are locally available, guests and spirits are offered these drinks from
1763-575: The region a cooler climate than the rest of Cameroon. For example, the average temperature at Dschang in the West Region is 20°C. Toward the north, rainfall levels are reduced as the Sudan climate becomes predominant. The Western High Plateau's relief and high rainfall make it a major watershed for Cameroon. Important rivers in the region include the Manyu , which rises in the Bamboutos Mountains and becomes
Bamileke people - Misplaced Pages Continue
1806-467: The wet earth and shape it into a circle. This is seen as a metaphorical skull of the deceased, blessed by libation. The Bamileke also believe that the Ancestor's spirit still remains within the actual skulls of the Ancestors as well, so they keep possession of them. The oldest male in the family keeps the skulls of both male and female ancestors in a dwelling that the family built and a diviner has blessed. In
1849-744: Was colonized, the British granted status and a certain amount of control to traditional authorities, such as the Fon . This was due to a colonial policy known as indirect rule. On the other hand, the Germans and French looked at Fons with contempt and were often suspicious of them. According to research compiled in The Historical Dictionary of the Republic of Cameroon , the "Bamiléké have a reputation of being excellent farmers and business-persons. While they have become
#208791