Traditions of Western Cameroon

This talk features Syracuse University Humphrey Fellow Mireille Laurentine Tchakounte Tchatat discussing the Bamileke, Cameroon’s largest ethnic group. Their traditions are comprised of initiation practice and meditation, characterized by rituals emblematic of great spiritual complexity.
About the speaker: Mireille Laurentine Tchakounte Tchatat is a Humphrey Fellow at the Maxwell School, Syracuse University. She was most recently Cooperation Department Assistant at the National School of Administration and Magistracy (ENAM) in Cameroon; here she initiates and develops relationships between national and international entities and promotes existing bilateral agreements with international development agencies. Mireille has also served as the Executive Secretary and as the Head of the Office for Civil Service. She earned her license in Human Resource Management from the University of Dschang in Cameroon.

[@RonaldLJones-xd3tt]

I'm an American African and I plan on visiting Cameroon soon. Thank you for this presentation. It was very informative.

[@franklinss1]

You Cameroon people are related to us, Thamil people living in South India and North Sri Lanka. Cameroon name is a Thamil name. The history go back to 50,000 years ago. Researchers found lots of Thamil words you all are using. e-g CONE we call SOLAM, I think Cameroon people also use the same word.(Thamil words) KAMAM + VOOR = KAMEROON meaning Loving Country in Thamil.

[@sunnysdelights8023]

I'am from Cameroon and found this presentation insightful. Thank you🙏🏿

[@MessiahTheeGod]

That was awesome! I too am Bamileke of the Diaspora.

[@prideofthesun]

As am I 🙏🏾🙏🏾🇨🇲❤️

[@berndhofmann752]

My wife is bamileke. 🎉🎉🎉

[@SeanLawlorNelson]

What a fascinating cultural lesson by an excellent, candid Professor. I am most interested in the spirituality of the Cult of Skulls. I worship my ancestors, specifically my paternal grandparents George Sigred Nelson and Dorthy Genevive Nelson; and along have, keeping their living spirits alive and their wisdom in my ears and dreams to guide me. The Africans of Cameroon are wise to have this spirituality.

[@patchristzekeng8888]

We are proudly happy to keep it. We will never depart from that even if some people are against it.

[@tuksasusa639]

I am Cameroonian and I believe out of the over 250 ethnic groups in Cameroon today, only 2 or 3 practice the cult of the skulls and it's dying away from my understanding. The Bamilekes, one of the largest Cameroonian ethnic groups are known for the practice.

[@berndhofmann752]

Very interesting! My wife is camerounaise, I'm German. ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@theiconmotionco.4633]

That’s Awesome. I love our traditions

[@ExtrospectionErin]

thank you! one of the few videos i've found on Bamileke culture. My mom is Bamileke

[@vidcomnbs]

Good anecdotes: - Your grandmother's blessing was genuine. - Western Cameroon is made up of NW, OU and SW, a presentation at this level and scope should include especially the similarities between NW & OU (as my Anglophone brother in the Embassy indicated), and the similarities between NW and SW and also the similarities between the SW & LT. - Would like to get in touch.

[@deezonyxde77]

Tikar here 🙌🏾.

[@jolie_soleil]

Same 🇨🇲✊🏽

[@vidcomnbs]

Good effort both on language (English) and attracting interest to African Customs, traditions & belief. As an Africanist I greatly appreciate what you have achieved through this presentation. Félicitations ! The word animist is derogatory. African religion is on Almighty God and smaller gods ... Same with other world religions with God and Angels! 9 months ties with pregnancy and birth period!

[@RoyFonyam-hv9rv]

That is really helpful 🙂

[@Carmensidea]

My oncle is the king in that video 😂😂🇨🇲

[@malcolmsakah17]

Omg that is so cool

[@bertrandforminyih7335]

Great

[@theterrelllamar]

Very insightful, as I am Bamileke.

[@paulatven]

Lindo o respeito pelos antepassados. Merci.

[@PrinceWambe]

Very well done.

[@moriahthompson7659]

It is hard to find where to learn about these things. Thank you for sharing in detail with videos and your experience, Mireille!

[@raushanahelamin7456]

I'm am DNA Bamileke and would Ike to have a copy of this slide presentation. Well done would like to learn more.thank you Respectfully yours. Raushanh

[@joycye-soh9688]

We have 8 days of weeks in our calendar

[@lovemore569]

Thank you very well spoken

[@ctbt1832]

I can tell she is from Africa 😊

[@seekinggodfilms6966]

How can I get in contact with her?

[@waltersagume]

Western Region of Cameroon have two main tribes, the Bamilikes and the Bamouns, point of correction.

[@sheepmaster_cycy5386]

and the sawa

[@ruthlessready1748]

Nso is the main tribe

[@chef72ful]

Good, superficial and not totally true. Il faudrait faire d'avantage de recherches dans ce domaine surtout en ce qui concerne le Laakam, le choix du future chef, le role de la femme (Mafoo), etc.

[@hamadouotamsi4938]

I totally agree, the inspiration was good choosing the term and different area covered but very very vague and so many things poorly explained. For example, I watched the video about the skulls ceremony before and many things were explained there that she did not even mentioned, next time please take the time to do a better job or at least cover your material very well. The Kougan story or part was completely false, please do more research about the Kougan and his origine. The Kougan is a very powerful and mysterious dance, not really for peace but it depend, It is not an everyday dance and they performed only and only on special occasion. It is not something that you should talk about on the go like that. But, thanks a lot for the effort my sister, good stuffs for your audience but fall very short for real "Bamileke son" like me!! I love your conclusion so much !!!!

[@sheepmaster_cycy5386]

**cries in sawa**

[@mildredwilliams8107]

It's difficult to understand the presenter's dialect. I would like to understand what's being shared because I want to know more about Cameroon.

[@MboneNM]

It's an accent, not a dialect. She is speaking in English, just with an accent.

[@mildredwilliams8107]

Thank you for the correction.

[@nook158]

How can I find this lady I need to contact her

[@matmatt6568]

Her English ????

[@bertrandforminyih7335]

Great