THE TAKUMBENG MARCH
On 22nd September 2017, thousands of men, women and children rose like one man to exercise their right to protest. The mobilisation and turnout were massive in Bamenda, Buea, Ekona, Limbe, Kumba, Batibo, Bali, Ndop, Mbengwi, New York, Brussels, Johannesburg and elsewhere.
As impressive as these manifestations were, it wasn't the first time in the past 12 months that Anglophones had protested, though public demonstrations were few and far between. In fact, the last major public demonstrations dated eight months back. There are lots of things that can be said about the causes of the protests, the legitimacy of the grievances, the solutions proposed by government and the psycho-social transformations that have taken place since the escalation of the crisis... But one thing stood out in the 22/9 protests... THE TAKUMBENG!
WHO ARE THE TAKUMBENG?
TAKUMBENG IN CULTURE AND TRADITION
Some records hold that the term TAKUMBENG means “father of thunder". The father of thunder was amongst the most revered and feared deities. The narrative holds that since the human manifestation of the deity was through women, logic would have demanded that the term be MAKUMBENG… “the mother of thunder”. Others say that the idea of Father of Thunder embodied by women completes the man/woman dimensions of humanity.
Other records hold that only elderly women could be part of the TAKUMBENG. Or if a young woman was accepted into the fold, she had to be a titled woman or be DIRECTLY affected by the injustice that had provoked the activation of the group. They were initiated in secret chambers or bushes and when they came out, they held a special leaf between their lips and only murmured chants of sadness as they processed. Men were not allowed to speak to them once they completed their initiation and until they completed their mission.
Literature is not abundant on the history and development of the movement. But oral tradition and some later writings relay some interesting information.
THE PROBLEM WITH THE TAKUMBENG MARCH
A. Android TAKUMBENG
Other photos showed a modern adaptation of the outfit… white drapes and red scarfs as described earlier, or what some have called the ANDROID TAKUMBENG. Of course, with modernity and greater awareness on the respect of women, one would hardly have expected the proper complement of traditional TAKUMBENG attire.
Also, the large participation of men marching in close proximity to women may have watered down the tradition too much for the liking of the gods.
Finally, as grave as the circumstances are, the female protesters did not display their nudity nor did they defecate in the public place.
The gods may therefore not pull their weight fully. They may however understand the evolution of the times, who knows?
B. Does the enemy understand
In the case of 22nd September, I'm not too sure what the effect would be if the target of the curse did not understand the scene enacted in their presence. However, if they didn't understand the cultural significance and therefore do not rush to make amends, then culturally, at least on this matter, we may not be as “ONE” as some have suggested that we are, nor would there be much truth in the suggestion of ONENESS prior to the landing of Europeans on our shores.
CONCLUSION
MY APPEAL
Because crowd psychology is fluid and may not always heed to logic, the management of a popular movement by reference to the rigidity of logic and the law is both ill-adapted and counterproductive.
Rather than decree what is legitimate, it is time to start legalizing what is legitimate and adjust the state's institutions both to the aspirations of the people and the socio-anthropological realities of our societies.
First made public on24th September 2017
As impressive as these manifestations were, it wasn't the first time in the past 12 months that Anglophones had protested, though public demonstrations were few and far between. In fact, the last major public demonstrations dated eight months back. There are lots of things that can be said about the causes of the protests, the legitimacy of the grievances, the solutions proposed by government and the psycho-social transformations that have taken place since the escalation of the crisis... But one thing stood out in the 22/9 protests... THE TAKUMBENG!
On Friday 22nd, they were those women who led the protests, those women who sat in front of chiefs and Fons... some were half-naked and others stood out in plain white drapes tied just above their breast lines and red scarfs covering their hair.
TAKUMBENG IN CULTURE AND TRADITION
The TAKUMBENG is a women's protest movement that has its roots in the present day North West Region of Cameroon. There are traces of similar movements in the wider grassfield area and stretching into the South West Region.
Some records hold that the term TAKUMBENG means “father of thunder". The father of thunder was amongst the most revered and feared deities. The narrative holds that since the human manifestation of the deity was through women, logic would have demanded that the term be MAKUMBENG… “the mother of thunder”. Others say that the idea of Father of Thunder embodied by women completes the man/woman dimensions of humanity.
Other records hold that only elderly women could be part of the TAKUMBENG. Or if a young woman was accepted into the fold, she had to be a titled woman or be DIRECTLY affected by the injustice that had provoked the activation of the group. They were initiated in secret chambers or bushes and when they came out, they held a special leaf between their lips and only murmured chants of sadness as they processed. Men were not allowed to speak to them once they completed their initiation and until they completed their mission.
Literature is not abundant on the history and development of the movement. But oral tradition and some later writings relay some interesting information.
- The TAKUMBENG was widely used in the colonial period to combat the colonial authorities when it seemed impossible to hold sway by means of armed confrontation.
- The TAKUMBENG are a kind of juju (deity) and ranks among the most secret, sacred and venerated institutions in the local traditions.
- Like any other highly respected deity or cult group (the TAKUMBENG being more of the latter), it is activated only rarely. In fact, in recent history, after the colonial period, their only major appearance was in the 1990s when, in heat of a political uprising, the army that had been dispatched to keep the peace committed ferocious kidnapping, rape, theft and torture, driving women, children and men into the arms of terror. Their appearance on that occasion galvanised the militants for change and forced the troops to be more measured in their engagement or to retreat, albeit for a while.
- Their appearance was a last resort move... when dialogue had failed, administrative procedure had failed and war had either failed or the thought of it seemed suicidal. As such, it was an invocation of the gods and the spirits to sanction human deviance and restore justice.
- It was a matter for women only. Men were either not associated or when they were, they walked a few hundred metres behind the women.
- In groups that could range from twenty to hundreds, the women would march to "the enemy" fearlessly, with no weapons singing songs of sadness or protest. When they approached "the enemy", they raised their clothing and exposed their nudity. This act was a curse so grave that the enemy, if they knew the tradition, would cover their heads, turn away from the nudity and flee.
It is also recorded that if the enemy did not make amends within one week, very bad things would happen to them depending on the curse that had been pronounced.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE TAKUMBENG MARCH
Three main points of significance can be attributed to this march:
1. Last Resort.
Dr Félix Zogo, a close collaborator the government's spokesman, said in a TV programme on Sunday 24th September that all the technical aspects of the grievances raised by teachers’ and lawyers’ syndicates had been addressed… suggesting that continued protests were unjustified.
The protesters argue that the grievances referred to are nothing but symptoms of a greater systemic malaise dating back to 1972 and for which a structured dialogue on the form of the state is imperative.
- Having raised the issue for many years
- Having taken part in dialogue in 2016 and early 2017
- Having seen some of their leaders arrested and detained (some without charge) for months
- Having undertaken peaceful demonstrations (ghost towns)
- Having undergone three months without Internet access
- Having lost sons and daughters in the course of the protests both to bullets and exile
- Noting that the issues involved were not discussed in parliament even when raised by an MP,
The protesters seem to be in ‘last resort mode’ thereby justifying a ‘last resort’ tactic… the TAKUMBENG.
2. Ban on protests.
On the eve of the TAKUMBENG MARCH, administrative authorities signed decisions banning all public manifestations and movements in some parts of the aggrieved territory.
The decisions could be read as… all protests are banned on x or y territory. However, it could also be read as… you may have grievances, but we refuse that you make them known by way of protest, or else…
As such, in the tradition of the TAKUMBENG, who marched unarmed up and close to the perceived oppressor, the events of 22nd September recalled the defiance value of the tradition.
3. Manipulation?
Over one hundred thousand protesters across two regions… the TAKUMBENG MARCH demonstrated that the theory of a manipulated people was somewhat short in logic, good faith and humour.
THE PROBLEM WITH THE TAKUMBENG MARCH
A. Android TAKUMBENG
Many photos and videos have circulated showing the protest in various parts of the world.
Some of the photos are quite explicit and as such, I have decided not to associate them to this text.
Such pictures showed elderly women clad from their waists downwards and their breasts fully exposed.
Other photos showed a modern adaptation of the outfit… white drapes and red scarfs as described earlier, or what some have called the ANDROID TAKUMBENG. Of course, with modernity and greater awareness on the respect of women, one would hardly have expected the proper complement of traditional TAKUMBENG attire.
Also, the large participation of men marching in close proximity to women may have watered down the tradition too much for the liking of the gods.
Finally, as grave as the circumstances are, the female protesters did not display their nudity nor did they defecate in the public place.
The gods may therefore not pull their weight fully. They may however understand the evolution of the times, who knows?
In those days, when the TAKUMBENG did their thing, the perceived oppressors hid their face, turned away and fled. They fled because they knew the customs and traditions and they knew what awaited them if they stood their ground and watched.
In the case of 22nd September, I'm not too sure what the effect would be if the target of the curse did not understand the scene enacted in their presence. However, if they didn't understand the cultural significance and therefore do not rush to make amends, then culturally, at least on this matter, we may not be as “ONE” as some have suggested that we are, nor would there be much truth in the suggestion of ONENESS prior to the landing of Europeans on our shores.
CONCLUSION
The activation of the TAKUMBENG suggests a communion with the spirits that should convey the message that the people have handed over their fate to the gods. This should not be mistaken for an abandon of the struggle. Rather, it indicates their DETERMINATION to pursue their protest in the knowledge that the gods will sanction fairly or receive their souls should they stop a bullet.
The point on “determination” is crucial in charting the way forward. For a population that has used sit-ins and non confrontational protests for eight months, not even the most avid analyst foresaw the outpouring of thousands of protesters on Friday 22nd. Considering that the protests had also been banned and the ban relayed widely on public media the prospect of demonstrations even seemed less likely.MY APPEAL
The time for an all-inclusive, no-holds-barred dialogue is now and the need is urgent lest this time be irretrievably past.
Because crowd psychology is fluid and may not always heed to logic, the management of a popular movement by reference to the rigidity of logic and the law is both ill-adapted and counterproductive.
Rather than decree what is legitimate, it is time to start legalizing what is legitimate and adjust the state's institutions both to the aspirations of the people and the socio-anthropological realities of our societies.
If these things were not known, MAY THE TAKUMBENG MARCH HAVE SERVED A REMINDER.
First made public on24th September 2017
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