Bajwe

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Bajwe
Total population
Total: Fewer than 30,000 (2000)[1]
Regions with significant populations
Cameroon
Languages
Koonzime
Religion
Christian
Related ethnic groups
Bakwele, Bekol, Benkonjo, Bomwali, Konabembe, Mabi, Maka, Mbimu, Ngumba, Njem, Nzime, Sso

The Bajwe (French Badjoué) are an ethnic group inhabiting the rain forest zone of southeastern Cameroon. The Bajwe live south of Massaména in the East Province in a region south of the Bekol and west of the Nzime. Their territory includes much of the northern and western border of the Dja Biosphere Reserve. They speak Koonzime, one of the Makaa-Njem Bantu languages.

Contents 1 History 2 Lifestyle and settlement patterns 3 Notes 4 References

[edit] History

The ancestors of the Bajwe lived in the Congo River basin or the present territory of Chad before moving into the present territory of Cameroon between the 14th and 17th centuries. Along with the other speakers of Makaa-Njem languages, they lived along the northern Lom River near the present-day border between the Adamawa and East provinces. Under pressure from migrating Beti-Pahuin groups (themselves fleeing the Vute and Mbum), the Makaa-Njem-speaking groups moved farther south. The Bajwe eventually settled south of the Bekol and west of the Nzime.

[edit] Lifestyle and settlement patterns

Most Bajwe live as subsistence farmers and live in linear villages oriented toward the roads through their region. They grow crops such as manioc, plantains, and maize, as well as smaller amounts of bananas, cocoyams, groundnuts, and fruits. Small livestock that does not require much care forms another part of the diet. Other Bajwe hunt with traps or, more commonly today, firearms. The resulting bushmeat has become an important source of income for some people. Most Bajwe profess Christianity as their faith.^[2]

Over 60 Bajwe villages border the Dja Biosphere Reserve. Most of these are relatively small with fewer than 113 inhabitants.^[3]

[edit] Notes

1. ^ "Koonzime", Ethnologue. Because the neighbouring Nzime also speak Koonzime, it is unclear how many of this figure are Bajwe and how many are Nzime.
2. ^ "Koonzime", Ethnologue.
3. ^ Seme.

[edit] References

• Gordon, Raymond G., Jr. (ed.) (2005): "Koonzime". Ethnologue: Languages of the World, 15th ed. Dallas: SIL International. Accessed 7 June 2006.
• Gordon, Raymond G., Jr. (ed.) (2005): "Makaa-Njem (A80)". Ethnologue: Languages of the World, 15th ed. Dallas: SIL International. Accessed 7 June 2006.
• Neba, Aaron, Ph.D. (1999) Modern Geography of the Republic of Cameroon, 3rd ed. Bamenda: Neba Publishers.
• Ngima Mawoung, Godefroy (2001) "The Relationship Between the Bakola and the Bantu Peoples of the Coastal Regions of Cameroon and their Perception of Commercial Forest Exploitation". African Study Monographs, Suppl. 26: 209–235.
• Ngoh, Victor Julius (1996) History of Cameroon Since 1800. Limbé: Presbook.
• Seme, P. M. (August 1998). "Spécial réserve du Dja: Le contexte humain". Canopée: Bulletin sur l'environnement en Afrique Centrale. Accessed 21 June 2006.