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The Negotiation of New Heights and Essence by Bakossi Traditional Authorities Under Colonial Rule

Kang Olome Ghislain, PhD Fellow, Confidence Chia Ngam PhD, Professor

Abstract

This paper aims to present the pride and prejudice of the Bakossi traditional authority in the south-west region of Cameroon. It shows how the imposition of colonial rule led to a systematic abuse and disregard for the local institutions that were so dear to the people. The Germans then British modified the political structures in which the traditional elite enjoyed a privileged position to their own advantage. Key themes include the resilience of indigenous governance systems and the modification of traditional power structures. This colonial intrusion had far- reaching effects on the social, political, and economic setup of the Bakossi that led to a remarkable fall of the traditional system. This shift of power to Europeans showed the new unequal power relations between the Bakossi and the European administrators. Notwithstanding, British colonial administrators did not succeed in stamping out the Bakossi system of authority. Meetings of the traditional elite were still held in secret, and issues like marriage and land disputes were resolved by the elders without consulting the colonial state. Thus, traditional authority, which the Europeans tried to destroy, survived and is recognised by the Cameroon government as part of the country’s administrative machinery. The study highlights the complex interplay between colonial policies, indigenous resistance, and the enduring legacy of traditional governance in post-colonial Cameroon.

Keywords

European colonialismTraditional AuthorityBakossi land.

References

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