Domestic hunt for traditional ritual practices

Mpegnoh animating at the death celebration of HRM Ngwefuni II

Throughout March 2012 in Bafanji village, most owners of pigs, goats, fowls  lived in fear of having their domestic animals caught for ritual sacrifices –

 Known as Mpegnoh, this scary royal practice have existed long before modern civilization between Bafanji and other villages (especially those from North West and Western regions) in Cameroon. 

And this horrendous practice only occurs when a Fon dies.  The village bereaved then become the hunting ground for food to the visiting village secret god ‘juju’ (a kind of human spirit totem) – 

In March 2012, friends and supporters joined the people of Bafanji to celebrate a year, after the death of His Royal Majesty, Andrew Yemo Ngwefuni II. Born 1935, enthroned Fon of Bafanji in 1964. A leadership role he held till March 13th 2011 when he passed away. 

Around Six a.m.  said Mrs. Doris P - Just as she was about to enter her kitchen, she saw  some young men, over 7 in numbers- coming towards her direction. Among them were two men, each holding a long whip, dressed in thick rope decorated with fowl feathers, with their heads covered in dark cloth mask.

“The moment, I spotted their presence” Doris P, a Bafanji-based woman, professional agricultural-engineer and a domestic animals owner narrates her experience in an interview.  “I knew it was them”. With so much strength and energy, they look around for any animal to catch as if it belongs to them. She added

“It’s unfair” said one woman in a crowd from a distance, in a loud and unhappy voice.  “…Yes! You have taken my healthy fowls and my goat – are you happy?” she added.

Bafanji is a village situated at the eastern end of Ndop Plain. And it is one of thirteen (13) ethnic groups that make up Ngo-Ketunjia Division in the North West Region of Cameroon.  

In a maiden edition of Bafanji Summit Magazine, Pungong Cyprian reports that Bafanji genealogy can be traced far back as from the 16 century.  Since then, Bafanji have had twenty-nine (29) Fons – including the present. 

 However, speaking with a Bafanji notable regarding this scary royal practice which can be far traced to the 16 century, Pa Joseph says: "it has always been the traditional that no woman, man or children owns any property – everything belongs to the Fon".   

He [the Fon] owns everything; the land, the fowls, crops…everything – Pa Joe said in a calm voice, with an expression that shows deep reflection of past happening. 

So, the reason – he added- mpegnoh moves freely to hunt, catch and harvest anything it desires to eat.

“Even, my giant bunch plantain in my garden was cut away today by Mpegnoh” Pa Joseph said.

Of all the persons I spoke to – none was in support of this practice. They condemned it and criticized the Bafanji mpegnoh for having involved in such unproductive practice –

“It is Bafanji who wants this to continue”. Ma Margaret, a Bafanji business woman. It just pay-back time for Bafanji. She said

Besides, crop growing like rice, maize, groundnuts, pepper, coffee, and bean – it’s worth noting that animals farming constitute a major activity in Bafanji.  Through which both women and men have been able to improve their living condition, sent their children to school, and take adequate care of the family medical health care. This has also helped reduce poverty and hunger in the communities. 

 And thus an invasion by mpegnoh puts a lot of families under stress as they are deprived from enjoying [benefiting] from their investment. And this means lost in terms of revenue and personal satisfaction for the animal owners. 

That notwithstanding, there is great hope as people say that the current Fon, HRM Ngwefuon II has demonstrated great interest in eradicating most ancient practices which impede development in the village.  

Campus should focus on safety, not students’ dress

This article originally appeared on World Pulse, 
an action media network powered by women from 185 countries. 

The ruling patriarchy is once more at work at the University of Buea (UB).

Recently, the Director of Student Affairs; Dr Ludwig Metuge made a public announcement blaming the prevalence of sexual violence on campus on the ‘indecent’ dressing of women. 

A majority of female students have experienced one or two forms of sexual abuse from male academic staff on campus, said Mr Che Eugene, a guidance counselor for the Faculty of Social and Management Sciences, in an interview.  These assaults often happen in the office and in lecture halls, when students are requesting make-up tests or extra lectures, submission of overdue assignments, and making other pleas to male academic staff. Mr Che said. .

And as long as these female students continue to dress suggestively, exposing certain body parts like the breast, legs, and shoulder- sexual violence is likely to be prevalent on campus, Mr. Che added.

So, in an effort towards preventing such crime on campus, the university authorities have implemented a stringent dressing code. Campus security men are given the ultimate power to send away so-called ‘indecently’ dressed students.  In Dec 2011, this led to over 50 female students bullied out of campus. One of the security guard who sought anonymity said to me.

“Nov 25^th, 9 am, on my way to class, I was stopped by the security guards and chase out of campus saying- my dress were indecent. Just because I wore a slim jean and a T-shirt” Mary, a second year student recalled her sad experienced.

UB fails to recognize that sexual violence remains a major security threat to humankind, particularly women. As well as, it is still one of the most widely unreported crimes, according to Amnesty International 2004 Publication on “Making Violence Against Women Counts”.

Even so, the fact is sexual violence can happen at any time-during armed conflicts and riots and even in nations with socio-economic and political stability.

A WHO Multi-Country Survey study on women’s health and domestic violence against women in 2011 stated that 70% of women between the age; 15 to 49 years in Ethiopia and Peru, reported being victims of sexual violence by an intimate partner.

all wears are sexy.UB should focus on safety and not students' dress

Moreover, UB should understand that each dress has a unique beauty. This makes it sexy. Whether it is a long robe, nightwear, or shorts. These clothes are simply to ensure that their clients derive maximum satisfaction and contentment.

 Ironically, University of Buea is conceived in the English-speaking tradition governing the fundamental rights of freedom of speech. Founded on moral and intellectual principles, and within the Central African region, it is accredited for excellence. So, instead of UB to continue wasting time and resources blaming student dressing, the university should focus on creating real solutions to stop this security threat whose actions have implications for the campus’ reputation, both locally and globally.

Contrary to UB, at least one ruling patriarch condemns the university’s claim and describes it as being a “flimsy excuse based on selfish motif”. “UB should respect individual rights, their dignity and choices”, said Mr. Nzume Mathias, chief of service for the Family Wellbeing at MINWEF- South West Region, Cameroon.

So, campus authorities should spend valuable moments thinking on how to address the issue of security, identify perpetrators of sexual violence, and provide justice to victims.  This could be accomplished by creating an independent sector on campus that works to prevent sexual violence. The Discrimination and Harassment Office (DISCHO) -University of Cape Town in South Africa is a good model. But if a special committee already exists, UB should make it public to all.

In addition, it demands that UB adopt a sexual harassment policy purposefully addressing issues of sexual violence on campus. The policy should also be made clear in the student guides, public and accessible to all, including heads of academic departments and faculty members, campus clubs and associations, academic staff and student

  

The classical ruling patriarchs’ ideologies—in this case, that the victims are to blame for sexual violence--must not prevail. Students’ deserve to have an educational environment where they feel safe and have the freedom to express themselves in what they wear.

After the votes what happens next?

Pic Source:online

The year 2011 observed the use of new (social) media in transmitting public opinions. Examples can be seen in the abrupt transformation that led to the topping of governments in Libya, Egypt and Tunisia. 

The effects of new media towards strengthening popular sovereignty didn’t end in the Middle East and Africa, it also moved down to the West ,South of the Saharan Africa;Nigeria and in Europe and America continent;UK2011 violent riots and the US Occupy protest respectively.

This however demands a new thinking to the relevance of new media for democratic governance and social good.  

Inspired by these experiences, many Cameroonians home and abroad created and led online groups on Facebook, and event/ hastag (#) lists on twitter.  Through which, many citizens were able toexpress their dissatisfactions against the socio-political situation in the country, in general,and specifically on the need for an electoral reform. So that elections reflect the voters’ choice. 

The fact that citizens managed to use online networks in carrying on advocacy campaigns for the enjoyment of basic rights and freedom during the presidential campaign was in itself inspiring and a step towards effective political vigilance.  

That notwithstanding, some observers remarked strongly that the enthusiasm demonstrated by Cameroonians during that period was“weak, objectiveless and non-inspiring” to mobilize supporters (other citizens to join the cause). 

 Given the high level of technological development, many people expected an instant change from the online advocacy by the citizens for the improvement of the people’s wellbeing during election. 

However, it is worth noting that Oct 9^th 2011 elections shall forever remain historic - seeing a critical mass of Cameroonian especially the young population taking the stage in the virtual space in reporting and making their own news on happenings in the country.  

But according to Dave, he thinks that “The current state of Cameroon is not threatened by the nature of communication most especially through the social media.  For social media communication depends on the way it is used.  And unlike the Arab Uprising where the social media played a mega role, Cameroonian means of usage is not inspiring.  It is not action-oriented but report-oriented”.

Contrary to Dave’s opinion,  Patience applauded  the initiative and especially the fact that youth were able get involve in exploring and using the new media tools and applications to challenge the status quo about traditional media in news reporting. 

For instance, Patience remarked that “unlike the previous years where a great majority of the Cameroonian public; home or abroad, friends and fans of this country would get updates about Cameroon only through the traditional Medias (local TV channels, Radiostations and News Prints)”

In that time, Patience emphasized that it was believed that news is made by journalists. But now it is different. The people have become their News and story anchors. As well as, they can now communicate their stories across the globe without fear of any form of editorial censorship”. Patience, in addition recollected “And this was evident in the Oct 9^th presidential elections”. 

While on the other hand, Biggest Peeters who during the October 2011 presidential, reported instantly on any act of social injustice and abuse of rights; detention incidence, riots, violence and some cases of frauds within his community; Buea – Cameroon; believes that  many Cameroonians were motivated by the thinking that new media would serve as a great medium to be heard either by the international actors, social actors or external communities or any agencies that can influence the situation positively. 

Dismally, Biggest Peeters added “I realized that very little attention was given to our situation in Cameroon by all these actors.”

After the Elections, what happens next? It is now 2012, Cameroon is soon to organize another election; municipal and parliamentary. 

How can these platforms be strengthen towards solution-solving?