Mubimambila Essays

Location Index

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Mubimambila Essays

Lowland, Stephen M.
c. 1966
Geography Field work Mbamnga 1
Department of Geography, Teacher's College, Mubi
Unpublished Local Study

Mbamnga: p1 Inhabitants Mambila Fulani and eg Kambu from Ndu in Cameroon as well as Kaka. popn c 9000. People go the Cameroon for farming then return after a few years to compound in Mbamnga.
p13 Mbamnga founded by Mambila family from Kimi around the time of the 1WW. Tib-Nyanduo (strong as a lion) was chief for 23 yrs. his son after that for 8 yrs. Then a relative for 2 yrs since chn all young.
17 Magic before communal hunt. Game must be treated by juju leaders before women can see it. Shared out in front of chiefs palace. 22 juju leader must permit the sale of harvest - first crops cant be sold till permission given.
23-4 Councillors/attendants to chief have special dress. 31 Bird scarers from raffia
36 Palm wine protected from theft by placing figurines in the raffia grove. Women mustn't see these else they die.
41 Carving figures etc in forest after special magic.
42 "Some of these idols are used as an export - to other country who like to keep idols for their home amusement. In fact they are very much liked by the europeans travellers who come across them."
43 carved idols as images of kings and of animals - of kings etc "there is one image which shows the appearance of one of their kings who used to be very angry to his people. Here is is (sic) quite described after his death in from of an idol done in clay modelling."
44 "Carving is one important branch of their sculptures for now stones are not more use for carving. The only things carved out of stones are placed in some places where other people lived first."
48 Stone sculpture now totally wiped out.
47 A sculptor called Jumba (died c 1960) made figures of Chief of Mbamnga and a hunter who killled a lion. His son Sokia Jumba now the only carver working.
49 Pots. Most decorated ones used for storing magical things. "Big juju pot called "tol su" Women are not allowed to take any drink out of this pot. ... Only the leaders and chiefs can drik from it." Cant be handled by non practitioners.
49 The most powerful of the juju leaders is Chiefur Fuh followed by Mbapu who has recently died (ie c. 1965) leaving his son on the throne. Both dead but their names retained.
50 Religion called su or singer. Tol su pot illustrated - appears to have legs, and note says things for the juju are cooked in it. Also p 51 beer pot with face - face of chief, only chief can drink from it. Pot for water and cooking = thol, shield = beer

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