Small house dedicated to a deity and placed under the care of a Djwisī*, Nkemsī*, or any person linked to the relevant deity. They can be found in the wilderness, at the entrance to a sacred forest or concession*, attached to an old uncultivated dwelling, beside a road, or in front of any consecrated natural feature (such as a tree, cave, rock, waterfall, or mountain). They are based on the design of traditional Bamiléké houses, forming a square topped by a pyramidal roof covered with thatch or sheet metal. In front of the house, a walkway is laid out. When worship of the deity involves the whole community, a walkway large enough to accommodate the entire audience is provided. An altar is erected inside, where oil, salt, and nuts are offered. For family deities, the walkway is minimal, sometimes almost non-existent. As a result, worship or rituals take place in front of the family home, with offerings and sacrifices deposited at the entrance.
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...