|
Tribe Snapshots Bali |
| Location: |
Grasslands of central Cameroon |
| Population: |
25,000 |
| Language: |
Bali (Macro-Bantu) |
| Neighboring
Peoples: |
Tikar, Kom, Bamum, Babanki, Bamileke |
| Types
of Art: |
Recognizing the importance of the skull, representations
of the head are found in nearly all decorated
utilitarian items. Masks used in initiation and
for education purposes are common. Statuary often
represents the Fon, and many types of beaded objects
are related to his investiture. |
| History: |
The Bali are part of a larger cultural area
known collectively as the Western Cameroon Grasslands
and live in the northern part of Northwest Province.
They originally came from an area to the north
and migrated in various complex patterns throughout
the last several centuries. Fulani traders moving
steadily southwards into Cameroon in the 17th
century forced the Bali's southern drift. Many
smaller ethnic groups combined, while other factions
split away as a result of pressure from the invading
Fulani. During the late 18th century many Fulani
converted to Islam, and their expansionist policies
grew as a result of religious zeal. They successfully
converted many Bali to Islam. |
| Economy: |
The region is astride important regional trade
routes connecting with the seaport of Douala in
the south and with Fulani and Hausa traders in
the north. The Bali are historically farmers who
grow maize, yams, and peanuts as staple crops.
They also raise some livestock, including chickens
and goats, which play an important role in daily
sustenance. Women, who are believed to make the
soil more fruitful, are responsible for the tasks
of planting and harvesting the crops. Men are
responsible for clearing the fields for planting
and practice some nominal hunting. |
| Political
Systems: |
The Bali, like all of the peoples who make up
the Cameroon Grasslands culture area, pay allegiance
to the head chief (Fon). Each village is governed
by a leader who is selected by his predecessor
and who is usually the head of the dominant lineage
within that community. Each Fon is served by a
council of elders who advise him on all important
decisions and who also play an important role
in the selection of the next Fon. Most chiefs
serve for a lifetime, abdicating the throne or
stool only when nearing death. Complex age-grade
societies also help to structure the community.
The Fon also oversees these secret societies. |
| Religion: |
The Bali reserve the highest allegiance for
their lineage ancestors. Ancestral spirits are
embodied in the skulls of the deceased ancestors.
The skulls are in the possession of the eldest
living male in each lineage, and all members of
an extended family recognize the skulls as common
heritage. When a family decides to relocate, a
dwelling, which must be first purified by a diviner,
is built to house the skulls in the new location.
Although not all of the ancestral skulls are in
the possession of a family, the memories of all
ancestors are honored. The spirits of ancestors
whose skulls are not preserved have nowhere to
reside and may as a result cause trouble for the
family. To compensate when a man's skull is not
preserved, a family member must undergo a ceremony
in which libations are poured into the ground.
Earth gathered from the site of that offering
then represents the skull of the deceased. Respect
is also paid to female skulls, although details
about such practices are largely unrecorded. |
|
|
