SOME TRADITIONAL ASPECTS OF THE PINYIN PEOPLE OF THE NORTHWEST REGION OF CAMEROON

The culture of the Pinyin people in the Northwest Region of Cameroon is a culture which I proudly identify myself with. Located in the Santa Sub division, the Pinyin culture and all its facets is one of the outstanding cultures in the Northwest Region of Cameroon. The Pinyinians are known for their love for farming and most remarkably, the farming stratagems. Known in the Northwest Region as the best cultivators of Irish potatoes, cabbages, carrot, lettuce, avocados and all that a garden can produce, Pinyin can be unarguably considered as one of those Cameroonian tribes that sufficiently and significantly contribute in feeding the nation of Cameroon. These farms are mostly located at the foot of mountains, on plains and in valleys while the gardens in found in swampy areas. Worthy of mention here is the fact that a considerable quantity of these farm products are also exported to neighbouring countries such as Gabon, Central African Republic, Chad inter alia. It is worth mentioning here that.

One important aspect which distinguishes the Pinyin people and the entire Northwest Region from the other parts of Cameroon is their respect for the “Country Sunday”. The people of the Northwest Region have 8 days of the week. It is strongly believed that on the “Country Sunday” also know as the Native Sunday, the spirits or ancestors of the land go to the farms to harvest their own food. This day, known to have been part of the lives of the ancestors is protected by the traditional laws to which all the people must abide to. Any one who goes against this law is not only teasing the fury of the ancestors but he/she is also throwing spittle on the face of the chief, the elders and the entire village. The ancestors when provoked can curse the people very severely with a draught, sudden deaths, a pest or some other form of punishment. On the “Country Sunday”, minor farming can take place around the family compound that is in the coffee that surrounds the compounds. On this day, the men and women usually meet at the local market place to share palm wine and cola nuts. Discussions topics also include recent happening in the village and in the country. The Counsel of Elders on this day usually meets in the Chief’s palace principally to commune with the “Lion of the land” on recent and old matters necessitating action.

It is however important to note here that this day rotates weekly just like the local market day. The “Country Sunday” always comes two days before the local market day. On the local market day, the entire village seems to be present except for the very old. Since Pinyin is divided among 3 chiefs with a central Paramount chief, each quarter has its local market day and of course it’s “Country Sunday”. The Paramount chief is the overseer in the entire Pinyin Clan. So there is decentralization of power as minor problems are handled by the Quarter Chiefs. The Paramount Chief is only consulted when the gravity of the matter needs his intervention.

Traditional ceremonies are another aspect which spells out the cultural identity of the Pinyin man. The arrival of the Local Chief and his entourage on the ceremonial grounds is accompanied with a lot or reverence. Usually during funeral and end of year ceremonies, the chief’s presence is announced by a town crier. The Local Chief is ushered in with ululations from the women who always bow in the Chief’s presence. Men do same but almost standing with their traditional caps off. His seat is usually brought from his palace and covered with an expensive loin cloth or the dried skin of a sacred animal such as a leopard or jaguar. The Chief during the ceremony pour palm wine time to time into the palms of those who found favour in his eyes, especially women. By drinking from the Chief’s traditional horn, the drinker is drinking from the mouth of the ancestors and this is considered as an enviable blessing. The event must be arranged in such a way that the Chief plays his role and leave by 5 pm.

The Chief’s wives are another traditional aspect which draws the attention of foreigners. The wives are referred to as “mengui ntoh” which means “wife of the palace” or the Chief’s wife. The wives all wear cowries when moving of the palace vicinities. These cowries are worn as either bracelets or neck laces. The first wife and of course the eldest usually wears hers around her neck while the rest wears theirs around their wrists. This clearly differentiates them in and out of the village setting. These women are treated with more than motherly love and respect because they are not only considered as mothers of the entire land but as those responsible for bearing future kings and beautiful princesses. They take the credits when the Chief is happy because his happiness and physical well being depends on them.

My paternal family is from Pinyin. My maternal family’s roots are in the Western Region of Cameroon though my grand mother and mother both got married in Pinyin, thus making them Pinyinians. I am a proud Pinyin man.