The Bedzang, an indigenous people of Cameroon
Introduction
- A brief history of the Bedzang
- Contextualize the project, Citizenship and revitalization of the Bedzang tradition
- The difficulties the Bedzang are facing, marginalization, extinction of their culture, destruction of their forest, etc
- The interconnection between citizenship and the Bedzang people’s rights
- Impact of Revitalizing Bedzang Traditional Knowledge on Land Rights
- Recommendations
Conclusion
Introduction
The Bedzang, an indigenous people of Cameroon, are a striking example of the country's rich cultural diversity. Yet they find themselves at a critical juncture in their history. Marginalized socially and politically, and facing a progressive loss of their cultural practices, the Bedzang are also victims of the rapid degradation of their natural habitat.
The Citizenship and Revitalization of Bedzang Traditions project, supported by ECODEV and its partners, is a proactive response to these challenges. It aims to revitalize their rich cultural heritage while strengthening their legal status and civic inclusion. The program encompasses concrete actions such as documenting traditional knowledge, obtaining essential legal documents, and raising awareness among local stakeholders.
By shedding light on the history, challenges and aspirations of the Bedzang people, this project seeks to restore their dignity and provide them with a solid basis for projecting themselves into the future, while preserving their unique identity.
A brief history of Bedzang
The Citizenship and Revitalization of Bedzang Traditions project aims to honor this rich history by strengthening Bedzang rights and revitalizing their unique cultural heritage.
1. A brief history of Bedzang
The Bedzang are an indigenous people of Cameroon, living mainly in the Ngambe-Tikar region in central Cameroon. Known for their way of life based on hunting, gathering and traditional agriculture, they maintain a close relationship with their forest environment. Their history, though largely oral, bears witness to a rich culture deeply rooted in their ancestral territory.
1. Origins and cultural identity
The Bedzang belong to the Tikar ethnic group, and are distinguished by their unique cultural practices, including rituals, craftsmanship and natural resource management. Their language, although a minority, is a central element of their identity.
2. Lifestyle and social organization
Historically, the Bedzang have lived in harmony with nature, sustainably exploiting the resources of their environment. Their social organization is based on strong community structures, with an emphasis on the oral transmission of knowledge and traditions.
3. Period of marginalization
With the arrival of colonial systems, followed by modernization, the Bedzang were marginalized. Their territory was progressively reduced by agricultural and industrial expansion, and their land rights rarely recognized by the state.
4. Contemporary challenges
Today, the Bedzang face multiple threats: the disappearance of their culture, the destruction of their natural habitat, and social exclusion. Despite these challenges, they remain resilient and determined to preserve their heritage.
2. Project background
The Bedzang, a marginalized indigenous community living mainly in Ngambe-Tikar, Cameroon, are at a critical crossroads. Their way of life, based on symbiosis with their natural environment and unique cultural traditions, is threatened by several factors, including social marginalization, lack of legal recognition, and degradation of their ancestral lands.
1. A progressive loss of identity
Modernization and external influence have led to a rapid decline in Bedzang cultural practices. Their linguistic heritage, traditional knowledge and rituals are in danger of extinction, profoundly affecting their social cohesion and collective identity.
2. Historical and legal marginalization
The Bedzang do not have equitable access to public services and legal mechanisms to defend their rights. Without official recognition, their lands and livelihoods remain vulnerable to expropriation and illegal exploitation.
3. Environmental degradation
Their forest habitat, essential to their subsistence and culture, is seriously threatened by deforestation, extensive farming and industrial projects. This destruction has a direct impact on their ability to maintain their ancestral practices.
4. An urgent need for revitalization and recognition
Faced with these challenges, the Citizenship and Revitalization of Bedzang Traditions project has set itself the mission of restoring the Bedzang people's cultural identity while strengthening their citizenship. This multi-dimensional project includes initiatives to:
o Document and preserve traditional knowledge.
o Support the Bedzang in obtaining legal identity documents, such as birth certificates via suppletive judgments.
o Sensitize the authorities and surrounding communities to the importance of preserving Bedzang traditions and recognizing their land rights.
This context underlines the urgent need to act to save a unique heritage and to integrate the Bedzang into the socio-economic fabric of Cameroon, while respecting their way of life and aspirations.
Nous croyons qu’un développement réellement durable ne peut être atteint qu’en tenant compte de toutes les spécificités socio-culturelles. Les communautés locales sont au cœur de nos actions et nous veillons à ce que leurs voix soient entendues et prises en compte.
3. Challenges faced by the Bedzang
The Bedzang, the indigenous people of Ngambe-Tikar, face multiple challenges that threaten their cultural, social and environmental survival. These obstacles are part of a context marked by historical marginalization, lack of legal recognition, and increasing pressure on their ancestral lands.
1. Social and political marginalization
The Bedzang have long been marginalized by national and local politics. Their absence from decision-making processes and lack of representation in state institutions limit their ability to defend their rights. This exclusion makes them particularly vulnerable to external actors exploiting their natural resources.
2. Loss of cultural identity
With the erosion of their traditions, the younger Bedzang generations are gradually moving away from ancestral practices and knowledge. The absence of cultural transmission mechanisms is accelerating the disappearance of their language, rituals and traditional ways of life - essential pillars of their identity.
3. Environmental pressures and destruction of ancestral lands
The forest lands that form the Bedzang's living environment are subject to massive deforestation, caused by :
o Expansion of agricultural and industrial activities.
o Illegal exploitation of natural resources.
These practices drastically reduce their access to the natural resources essential to their subsistence and traditional way of life.
4. Lack of legal recognition of land rights
Without official land titles, the Bedzang cannot defend their land against encroachment from outside. This lack of legal recognition weakens their claims and paves the way for non-consensual exploitation of their territories.
5. Lack of access to basic services
Limited access to education, healthcare and basic infrastructure contributes to their marginalization. This hinders their development and inclusion in modern society.
6. Economic challenges
Poverty is a structural challenge for the Bedzang, exacerbated by poor access to economic opportunities. The absence of mechanisms for valorizing their traditional knowledge or local products limits their financial autonomy.
These combined challenges jeopardize the future of the Bedzang and call for integrated solutions, combining legal recognition, cultural revitalization and sustainable development programs. The project Citoyenneté et Revitalisation des Traditions Bedzang (Citizenship and Revitalization of Bedzang Traditions) is precisely in line with this dynamic, offering concrete solutions adapted to these issues.