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Baligham

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Baligham, also called the Nepgayidbi ("people of the palace") are an ethnic group in Cameroon. The Ndaghams left Bafu-Fondong (about 4 km from Dschang, western region of Cameroon), in the mid-18th century due to several factors including Fulani raids or Jihads[citation needed], and famine caused by desertification.

In their long and eventful migration, the Baligamba kingdom had become too large and after the loss of their leader Gawolbe, quarrels over leadership occurred which led to the breakup of the kingdom into small factions. One by one, faction after faction left, each going their own way until the legitimate successor, Galanga, was left only with a handful of followers. These he named Nepgayidbi.[citation needed]

Demographics

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According to a Bamenda provincial census in 1997, there were 7,344 Balingham persons in Santa district, Cameroon. They were 8.8 % of the district's population. 46 % were males and 54 % were females.[1]

The History

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Post independence Today Ahidjo Pre-independence Pre WW1 Pre Colonisation Pre-migration

Culture

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The Baligham engage primarily in slash and burn agriculture, including gardening and staple crops of potatoes and maize.[1] They also gather fungi, sell them, and eat them, both as food and for their medicinal properties.[2] Tomatoes are one of their major market crops.[3] Climate change is impacting their way of life.[1][3]

Their religions include Traditional beliefs, Christianity, and Islam.[citation needed]

Politics

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A land dispute in the 1990s with the Awing tribe lead to an outbreak of mass violence, which was resolved by an association of traditional tribal leaders.[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Ndenecho, Emmanuel Neba (2011). Local Livelihoods and Protected Area Management: Biodiversity Conservation Problems in Cameroon. Langaa. pp. 50–52. ISBN 9789956717545. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  2. ^ Beya Wakata, Annie Sylvie; Fogue Kouam, Siméon; Tonjock Kinge, Rosemary (2024). The Transformative Development of Postcolonial Africa: Voices of Pure and Natural Scientists. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. p. 295. ISBN 9781036403126. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  3. ^ a b African Handbook of Climate Change Adaptation: 2021. Springer International. 2021. ISBN 9783030451066. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  4. ^ Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Report Submitted to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, U.S. House of Representatives and Committee on Foreign Relations, U.S. Senate by the Department of State in Accordance with Sections 116(d) and 502B(b) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as Amended, Volume 1. United States government. 1999. pp. 67–68. Retrieved December 11, 2024.