A Re-Think of a True Identity in Embracing and Practicing Western Culture(s) and Religion as Typical Bakweri, Manyu and Ugare people of the Anglophone Cameroon

Authors

  • Bongajum Dora Lemnyuy (PhD) Doctor of Educational Administration, Head of the Department of Development and Social Studies, Presbyterian Theological Seminary Kumba- Cameroon
  • Endeley Margaret Nalova Professoe of Curriculum Studies and Teaching, Dean of the Faculty of Education, University of Buea- Cameroon
  • Epiemembong Louis Ebong Professor of Systematic Theology, Secretary General Protestant University of Central Africa, Yaound-Cameroon

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47672/ajep.1697

Keywords:

Re-Think, True Identity, Embracing, Practicing, Western Culture, Religion Anglophone Cameroon

Abstract

Purpose: Western Education and Christian religion foundations and developments in Africa in general and Cameroon in Particular were laid and developed on African traditional education and religious practices and beliefs.  Unfortunately, African traditional education, religious belief system and practices were brandished by colonial masters and Missionaries who introduced western education and Christian religious practices as fetish, uncivilized and paganic. All these allegations were from the stranger's perspectives. Regrettably, those who engaged into the study of western education and practices of western religion were forced to upgrade foreign education and religious practices and beliefs over against African education and religious beliefs and practices. All these led to a false identity, religious practices, educational norms and values development on those who practice the western system of education and religious development.  Consequently, some of the cherished Cameroonian cultural practices, religious beliefs and traditional education are fast dying out. It is for this reasons that this paper sought to address and revisit cultural beliefs and religious practices of some tribes of the Anglophone Cameroon. The purpose of this paper is to present some of the cultural practices that are educative, promote cherish values and norms and demonstrate the strength of the Bakweri, Manyu and Ugare cultural practices and belief for today's children of the Anglophone Cameroon who have embraced western education and western religion over against our valued education and informative cultures and religion.

Materials and Methods: The methodology is qualitative with the use of ethnography as design. Data were collected interviews, primary and secondary sources.  and interviews.

Findings: From the content analysis, the conclusion arrived at is that because the Bakweri Manyu and Ugere traditional education and cultural practices and beliefs are unique, other religions and educations should learn from the richness of these indigenous practices.

Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: Though western education is good, Christianity, western education and cultural traditional beliefs and practices should work hand in glove for a better society. Before the coming of Christianity, the cultural beliefs and practices of the Bakweri, Manyu and Ugere had long existed.  The people were aware of the existence of the Supreme Being and Christian religion should not consider them as fetish and paganic. The study suggests a model of educating the young generation on the traditional education and cultural practices of the Bakeri, Manyu and Ugere people. The home is the center whereby, cultural values should disseminated to the churches, schools and community.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Aboh, M. M., 2005. Technological Change and its Effect on Traditional Religious Beliefs.

Abuja: The Tiv Experience.

Ardener, E.W., 1956. Coastal Bantu of the Camerrons. London: International African Institute.

Ekalle, S., 1947. Croyances et pratiques obsttricales des Duala. BSEC

Etonde, N.H., 1994. Education through Folklore: A case of Bakweri Folktales,Diss. University of Yaounde(Ecole normale superieure)

Ittmann, J., 1953. Volkskundliche und religiöse Begritte im Nördlichen Waldland von Kamerun. Beihwft 26 zu Afrika und Übersee. Berlin: Dietruch Reimer.

Matute, D., 1988. The Socio-cultural Legacies of the Bakweri of Cameroon.

Mutia, B., 2005. Context of Bakweri Pregnancy Rituals and Incantations.

Mvendaga, J., 2019. Chieftaincy and Politics: The Tor Tiv in the politics and Administrative of Tivland: New York.

Oral Source from Mola Embola Nganjo Hans (Bova I Village), MolaMondoaNdive (Bova I Village)

Stone,B.G., 1929. Notes on the Buea District (Unpublished)

Terdo. A. P., 1993. The Tiv in Contemporary Nigeria. Lagos: University press.

Lemnyuy and Chenwi 2023. Re-visiting "˜our' Cultural Heritage for a Better Understanding of who "˜we are' as Nso and Babungo people of the Anglophone Cameroon-Africa; Web of Semantic: Universal Journal on Education. ISSN 2835-3048. https://Univerpubl.com/indexphp/sementic

Other Sources

Frida Limunga Nyoki, Elisabeth Lyengu Efande, Nganjo Enarga Magdaline, Njeteambe Manjukem, Isorsase Gabriel: Students of Sociology of the Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Batch of 2022/2023

Alabo Enock and Motale Detriano: Sociology students of the 2021/2023 Batch. Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Kumba.

Interview sources

Dorothy Enanga Mokenge in her capacity as Field Research Assistant and her excellent fieldwork in gathering information on these cultural practices.

The herbalists/traditional doctors provided live and simulated performances of pregnancy rituals and incantations during fieldwork. Without their willingness to allow us witness these performances, this material would not have come to light. They include: Mathias MotutuLotongoof Buea; MofomaIkome; Elonde Njie of Lysoka; Fenda Ngeke of Likoko; Ngale Nganele of Bokwai; Mokondo Mbake of Bonakanda, Esowe Mbua of Bwasa; NdiveEsike of Boana; MoluaIkule of Ekonjo; Martin EkoseMbonde , EgangeEsse, and Samuel Esse of Mafanja; and Alphonse LiwonjoEtengani of Bonjongo.

The female informants who provided vital information from their own personal encounter with and participation in these rituals:Motutu Etonde; Hannah Eposi Mokenge; Enanga Mbome; Elizabeth Mofema; EposiLyonga; Ewune Molua Mukoko; Enanga Mbome; and Genevieve Mojoko Ikome.

Those who provided essential information on Bakweri belief system and cosmology: Chief Robert Efungani of Bova I; Chief S. K. Liwonjo of Mafanja; Hon. Johnson VekimaEffoe MP of Bonjongo; John EkemaMolua elder and family head in Mafanja; Dan Lyonga of Mafanja, and MononoEkema family head in Buea.

Downloads

Published

2023-12-19

How to Cite

Lemnyuy , B. D. ., Nalova, E. M., & Ebong, E. L. (2023). A Re-Think of a True Identity in Embracing and Practicing Western Culture(s) and Religion as Typical Bakweri, Manyu and Ugare people of the Anglophone Cameroon. American Journal of Education and Practice, 7(5), 17–37. https://doi.org/10.47672/ajep.1697