International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume V, Issue I, January 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186

Nuptial Customs and Royal Celebrations in Mbum Land, North West Region of Cameroon

 Stanley Yengong Nforba
Higher Institute of Education, Sciences, Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities, Bamenda University of Science and Technology, Cameroon

Abstract: Majority of ethnic groups in Bamenda Grasslands like the Mbum established and sustained diplomatic relations with each other since their settlement in the region based on the canon of common ancestry. Despite this, only few fondoms still maintain this doctrine as the rate of mutual connections among them diminished drastically over the past centuries due to competition for governing space and conflicts of autonomy. This study sustains the argument that marriages and royal celebrations were factors that strengthened relations among Mbumfondoms. Oral traditions and written sources were data used in carrying out this research. This study reveals that nuptial practices and royal celebrations underwent mutations without necessarily respecting the dogma of Mbum traditions. Fons gave their daughters in marriage to their counterparts to create new/strengthen relations among them. Women played significant role in conflict resolutions and the acquisition of farm/settlement land for their relatives. The introduction of Christianity and huge bride wealth hindered the fulfilment of many marriage rites in Mbum land. Marriages and royal celebrations remain vital facets of coexistence and diplomatic relations among Mbumfondoms.

Keywords: Canon, Royalty, Marriage, Custom, Relation, Mbum

I. INTRODUCTION

The North West Region of Cameroonis host tofondoms (kingdoms, chiefdoms, villages)of different ethnic groups, which include theTikar, Chamba, Widikum, Tiv and Mambila. The Tikarthat is the largest group is composed of fondoms like Kom,Nso, Bafut, Bum, Oku, Babungo, Kedjom Keku, Kedjom Ketinguh and Mbum. Tikartraditions held that their ancestors migrated from around Tibati, Banyo, Ndobo, Kimi, Rifum and Bankim areas in the Adamawa region of Cameroon. Between the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the Tikars moved in different groups southwards and westwards to their present location establishing independent fondoms. Before settling permanently in the region, they disintegrated into different units. This is the case