Myths, Ritual Cosmologies and Mortuary Practices in Mbum Society of the Bamenda Grasslands, Cameroon

Abstract

Abstract

This paper examines the mythologies and ritual practices surrounding death and burial among the Mbum people of Cameroon, situating these customs within broader African traditional understandings of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ death. In Mbum-land, as in many African societies, burial in one’s ancestral homeland is viewed as sacred and essential for maintaining lineage continuity and ancestral connection. Perceptions of death are shaped by the deceased’s social standing, age, cause of death, and the moral judgment of their life’s conduct. The study employs a qualitative methodology, relying on both primary and secondary sources. Data was collected through oral interviews with traditional authorities, title holders, and community members, as well as researchers’ observations during funeral ceremonies. These primary accounts are complemented by a critical review of existing literature, including works by scholars such as J.S. Mbiti, Victor Turner, Tanto Talla and Arnold van Gennep. Drawing on this interdisciplinary approach, the paper argues that funeral mythologies in Mbum society are not merely ceremonial but constitute a crucial expression of indigenous epistemology, social cohesion, and moral order. These traditions, though increasingly impacted by Christian influences and Westernization, remain foundational to the Mbum cultural identity.