Hostname: page-component-7bb8b95d7b-qxsvm Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-09-12T02:28:23.488Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

The Bamum Coronation Ceremony as described by King Njoya

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 August 2012

Extract

In the French Cameroons, West Africa, live the Bamum whose population is estimated at about 75,000. Their territory is bounded on the north by that of the British Trusteeship territory of the Cameroons. Their western and south-western boundaries are formed by the River Nun, while the Rivers Mape (a tributary of the Mbam) and the Mbam form its eastern boundaries. The tribe consists of a recent ruling group of Tikar who, migrating from Rifum—now called Bamkin—settled among other Tikar whose social and political organization was of the lineage type so common in West Africa. This ruling group, who claim to have come originally from the environs of Bornu, rapidly conquered the surrounding independent, uncentralized, local villages and created the powerful Bamum kingdom which withstood Fulani raids.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © International African Institute 1950

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Njoya. History and customs of the Bamum. Cap. 69, sec. II. (Unpublished Manuscripts.)Google Scholar
Meek, C. K. I.Tribal Studies in Northern Nigeria, i. London, 1931, pp. 364–5.Google Scholar
Meek, C. K. I. 2. A Sudanese Kingdom. London, 1951, p. 168.Google Scholar
Wilkinson, J. G.The Ancient Egyptians, ii. London, 1878, p. 333.Google Scholar
Schapera, I.The Bantu-speaking peoples of South Africa. London, 1937, p. 179.Google Scholar
Brelsford, W. V.Aspects of Bemba chieftainship. Livingstone, Northern Rhodesia, 1944, p. 26.Google Scholar
Lowie, R.Primitive Society. London, 1921, p. 364.Google Scholar
Temple, O. and C. L., Notes on the tribes, provinces, emirates and states of the northern provinces of Nigeria. Lagos, 1922, p. 82.Google Scholar
Posselt, F. W. T.A survey of the native tribes of Southern Rhodesia. Salisbury, 1927, p. 25.Google Scholar