Fons of "Traditional Bamenda" and Partisan Politics in Contemporary Cameroon

Fons of "Traditional Bamenda" and Partisan Politics in Contemporary Cameroon Reconstructing Identity and Cultural Meaning

Paperback (21 Aug 2023)

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Publisher's Synopsis

In Fons of Traditional Bamenda, Tatah Mbuy critically examines the predicament of traditional leaders in the Cameroon Grasslands in the wake of the civil unrest that has regrettably evolved into armed conflict in the territories that constituted the former Southern Cameroons. Drawing on his ethnographic knowledge of this region, Mbuy argues that chieftaincy in the Grasslands was historically perceived as a sacred institution, the locus of neutrality and justice and the custodian of its people's cultural legacy. However, multiparty politics and bureaucratic elites have coopted traditional leaders to serve party interests to the detriment of their people, thus attracting widespread condemnation and violence towards their persons. Mbuy convincingly argues that the Fon should not be an active element in partisan or competitive politics. All civil administrators in any Fondom in "traditional Bamenda" would gain more if they are conscious of the cultural structure and adherence of the people. As a source of neutrality, Fons stand to serve their people and society should they steer clear of partisan politics. This text is highly recommended to all concerned citizens, students of history, anthropology, political science and civil administrators in Cameroon and beyond.

Book information

ISBN: 9781957296128
Publisher: African Books Collective
Imprint: Spears Media Press
Pub date:
Language: English
Number of pages: 118
Weight: 168g
Height: 229mm
Width: 152mm
Spine width: 6mm