The ultimate ceremony marking the transition from adulthood to wisdom among the Nguemba people. It takes place every nine years and generally involves people from a generation aged between 55 and 64. The ceremony is held in the main square of the chiefdom (see No’h (nɔ̀’)). It then continues in the sub-chiefdoms. Each initiate is sponsored by an initiate from the previous generation.
Cérémonie ultime de consécration du passage de l’âge adulte à l’âge de la sagesse chez les Nguemba. Elle a lieu tous les neuf ans et concerne généralement les personnes d’une génération dont l’âge varie entre 55 et 64 ans. La cérémonie se tient sur la place principale de la chefferie (Voir No’h (nɔ̀’)). Ensuite, elle se poursuit dans les sous-chefferies. Chaque initié-e est parrainé-e par un initié-e de la génération précédente.
The word means hat. There are many different types, from royal headdresses to simple hats, Nkam (ŋkǎm)' hats and headdresses worn by the members of t...
It refers to the offering made to deities during Bamiléké religious ceremonies. The act of making an offering is called ŋgwā' pↄↄ' (throwing the mushr...
Une poutre en bois sur laquelle sont gravées des informations, lesquelles renseignent généralement sur l’importance du lieu, les valeurs ainsi que la ...
It refers to the chiefdom, which is the most important place in the village. The chiefdom has a dual definition. Firstly, it refers to the territorial...
The peace tree is a shrub that can grow up to five meters high. In Bamiléké chiefdoms, it is one of the constituent plants of the bocage*, specific to...
A notable is a person occupying a high rank in a chiefdom (See No’h (nɔ̀’)). A notable acquires his title and rank either by succession or by recognit...
The grouping of people of a certain age category. The gaps between two age groups vary from chiefdom to chiefdom. The gap considered for a generation ...
Literally the man of the tarantula, he is a doctor and a diviner. He uses tarantulas or cowrie shells for divination. He also uses plants and sacred w...
The man of leaves or medicine is the community's chief doctor. He has a thorough knowledge of medicinal plants, but also of anatomy (Notue/Perrois 198...