Saturday, September 13, 2014

The Tikar People of Cameroon

 

Africans from the Bight of Biafra region (Nigeria, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon) comprised of the largest group (40%) forcibly transported to Virginia ports during the transatlantic slave trade. Recent research by Dr. Lisa Aubrey and her team uncovered 166 slave ships from Cameroon. More info about that discovery can be read here. This history of the Tikar people was shared by Dr. John Q. Williams, who received this information from members of the Tikar people of Cameroon about their history.

Tikar History

A special thanks to HAMADJAM Raphaël Athanase Elisée of Douala, Cameroon for sharing the pictures below with me.

According to the oral and documented history of the Tikar people, they originated in present-day Sudan. It is believed that when they inhabited Sudan, they lived adjacent to two groups. The first group comprised of iron-makers/blacksmiths and carpenters in the Meroe Kindgom; this group (ancestors of the Mende people) later left the Sudan and moved west towards Lake Chad. They eventually traveled to the Mali Empire, and along with the town Fulani and Mande, founded the Kingdom of Mani. The second group - ancestors of the Fulani - arrived in the Sudan from Egypt and Ethiopia. These cattle and goat herders moved west to Lake Chad near present-day Cameroon, Niger, and Nigeria before traveling across West Africa. It is believed that when the ancestors of the Tikar were in the Sudan, they lived along the Nile River. There, they developed their cattle grazing, iron-making, horse riding, and fighting skills.

At some point in time, the ancestors of the Tikar moved from the Sudan to the Adamawa Northern Region of present-day Cameroon. They settled in a village they named Ngambe (present-day Bankim District) where they intermarried with selected grassland farmers and animal herders.

During the mixing with selected grassland residents, a powerful chief and eventually king came to power. With the skills brought from the Sudan, the Tikar king was able to rule most of northern and central Cameroon. After the death of the king, his oldest son inherited the throne. Soon afterwards, his second son, Share-Yen, and his followers moved to present-day Mfounbam district and started the Mbamound Clan. Ngouo-Nso, a sister, and her followers moved to present-day Koumbo District and created the Koumbo Clan in the present-day state of Mbanso near Mbamenda. The youngest brother moved further south and created the Mbafia Clan in the present-day Mbam state.

The Tikar Empire had strong political traditions.  At the height of the Tikar Empire, fifteen kingdoms or clans existed; the Ngambe was the largest. Future kings and the ruling class always came from this clan and all clan were headed by a Fon who supervised nobles, large farm producers, military leaders, merchants, and town leaders. With superior weapons and fighting on horseback, Tikar soldiers protected the empire, maintained domestic peace, and collected taxes. A caste system existed, but the standard of living for the Tikar was above those from other ethnic groups. The Tikar people was known for their sophistication in government, war, and the arts - including a bronze casting process for making masks.

While the Tikar lived in Cameroon, most of the people with Tikar ancestry lived the "good life". Vocational training was the norm for Tikar boys, and teachers taught various forms of craft-making, woodcarving, mask carving, and making bronze sculptures. The Tikar people also developed a process for using hot wax to make masks and bronze sculptures. During the height of the Tikar Empire, many Tikar people were also gifted in music, dancing, acting, and writing.

The Tikar people had control over the trade routes between the Fulani and Hausa merchants to the north of the Tikar Empire and coastal ports. Due to the Tikar's advanced ceramic techniques and architecture/iron smelting kilns, products were exported north to the Hausa people and south to coastal ports.

For three centuries, the Tikar ruled present-day Cameroon and Central Africa with sophistication, but with a iron fist and heavy tax burdens on people from other ethnic groups. It was also reported that because of their high standard of living, there were more than one million people with Tikar ancestry by 1800.  However, trouble came.  Research revealed that by 1800, several African ethnic groups had joined the Europeans to fight the Tikar people, who were known for their quick ability to learn and their sophistication and for being hated by surrounding Africans.  The Tikar were unable to obtain modern weapons; they were never able to take control over the coast. So, they were caught in the middle between the coast and the north.

As the Tikar people attempted to abandon their traditional grassy savannahs and the plains where they were easy slave trade targets with no natural protection, they were forced to leave their villages with slave traders on one side and four hostile tribes on the other side seeking revenge. One of the strategies they applied to fight off the enemy was to dig moats around villages; these still exist in at least five kingdoms. However, this strategy failed and the survivors found refuge in the forest.

The transatlantic slave trade drained their brightest and most physically fit young people. Having been greatly weakened by war and the slave trade, they became vulnerable to neighboring groups who had been subjected by the Tikar for several centuries. When slavery ended, there were between 60,000 - 75,000 Tikars in Cameroon, and most of them were hiding in forests from slave traders. Today, less than 100,000 Tikars live in Cameroon. They live as small and scattered related groups in the northwestern highlands near the Nigerian border. Much of the Tikar area lies in Cameroon's Adamawa plateau and the western highlands.

The Tikar are among the most industrious people in Cameroon. Urban Tikar boys score the highest marks on math examinations. Most Tikar children earn the highest grades in school.  Urban Tikar students are reported to be the most gifted in arts and crafts, music, writing, and math.

Popular evening Tikar meals include: (1) chicken and tomatoes served on top of rice, (2) thick soups with hot spicy seasonings served on chicken, and (3) a form of fufu. Thick soups served on yams are often eaten in the morning.

Tikar Chiefs


GAH II Ibrahim, the chief of Bankim, the history capital of the Tikar people. 
There are many Tikar villages - Ngambe, Magba, Ntem, Bandam - but the main Tikar village is Bankim.


GAH II Ibrahim, the actual Chief of Bankim, standing near the crowned lake named "SEM SEM".


Left is the Chief of Ina (Tikar village) and right is the actual Chief of Ngambe (Honore MBGAROUMA).


This is a picture of the late chief of Ngambe. Ngambe is one of the Tikar villages. Around his neck is an ivory collar made of elephant tusks. He carries it only once per year, during the time of the festival called "Sweety". It is a traditional Tikar festival during which one calls upon the spirits of the ancestors and asks them to bless the community.


Copyright © 2014 Melvin J. Collier. All rights reserved.

106 comments:

  1. Melvin, thanks for this article. I have Tikar on my maternal grandmothers maternal line.

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    4. Hello my name is Diane Thomas I took my DNA my highest was Cameroon and Congo 35 per so I don't know who side but when I look at the timer tribe I look just like them

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    5. Told by my cousin from doing DNA that I am part of the tikar I would like to know more about it myself

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    6. I just found out that my mother's line traces to the Tikar people. Very excited to have this information. Trying to find information in traditional spiritual practices.

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    7. found out on friday 1/10/20, My mothers lineage is TIKAR!

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    8. Found out on 1/6/2020 through African Ancestry.com that my maternal lineage traces back to the Tikar of present day Cameroon.

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    9. Just found out today through African Ancestry that my maternal lineage is Tikar! Hey family!!!

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    10. Just found out my maternal lineage is Tikar from Camaroon hello family BOBO from Florida.

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    11. I learned through africanancestry.com that on my maternal side, I am of the Tikar,hausa-Fulani tribe in the Cameroon. I was born in the UK of Jamaican parents who migrated through the Windrush generation.

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    12. I learned thru my maternal side we are Tikar people. Currently in U.S my parents migrated from St. Kitts and Nevis.

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    13. Je suis brésilien, j'ai une melange de sang africain, mais je ne sais toujours pas encore quels sont mes origines africaine.. mais j'ai une grande empatie par le peuple Camaronais, Spécialement avec la famille du Cheffe Mbouobouo Mama et le Prince Njifon YAYA et d'autres amis du Tikar, de région de Mgambé...

      Merci pour me faire connaître un peu plus cette facinante histoire de ce peuple meveilleux.

      MACHADO FERREIRA, CHARLES

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    14. I just recently found out on my Maternal side of my family I am of Tikar ancestry

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    15. so glad to have gained knowledge of my maternal ancestral DNA 97% tikar. I appreciate this article

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    16. Hi family. I just learned that my maternal ancestry is 99.4% Tikar people living in Cameroon.

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    17. Just found out my mother ancestral side is Tikar Camaroon. 94.7,%

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    18. Hi family, my maternal ancestry is 99.8% Tikar people of Cameroon.

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    19. I received my African Ancestry results my Maternal line is 99.7% Tikar I'm so excited and want to learn all I can.

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    20. I received the pleasure to have my 79 year mother to do african ancestery dna test as results 5-11-21, my mom's maternal ancestry 99.4% Tikar of Camaroon. State of tn-usa sausagekingsteam@gmail

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    21. I just found out I am 100% Tikar on my mom’s side through AfricanAncestry.com

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  2. Thanks for the article brother i am a Tikar from the Tikar Dynasty of Wimbum, you did mentioned Nso clan in the article, when some Tikars left Bankim,and on their Arrival to Nso(Kumbu or Banso) two Brothers had a querrel one stayed and formed the Nso clan while the other one moved on to form the Wimbum clan, all what you mentioned in your article is 100% correct it's considered a shame if a Young man cannot do craft work which include furniture(usally traditional), making of traditional houses etc etc, When growing up we were told we came from Tikari(in other words we are Tikars) but it's after living the Mbum land that it began to appear clear and clear to me how related the Tikars are, their culture is unique from Bankim to Nkambe(wimbum land) to Kumbum(wi Nso land), One issue with the Tikars is that as they where moving they mixed and lost their language along the way, there is still great similarities in the languages especially between the Nso and Wimbum People. Once more thanks for the article brother i think it's high time Tikar Historians document our great history.

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    1. Do you have any information about The Tikar Dynasty in regards to having a spiritual system?

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    2. Good question....that's what I would like to know too.

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    3. Thank you for the sharing of this information. I received my DNA Results this year as 97.7% Tikar on my mother's blood line. I am very hungry to hear of the stories of origin. I also read that the Tikar came to the Sudan from the Arabian Peninsula. It was reportedas part of oral tradtion from a Tikar leader. I am trying to piece together my family history, here in the USA. I will check to research slave ships in Virginia, as there was research proving slave ships brought Tikar People to Va. Region. I look forward to visiting Cameroon, next year (2019). I am hoping for wise resolution to the Anglophone crisis and for the harmonious unity of the people of Cameroon. This knowledge has been a profound event upon my personae. I will join www.onetikaronepeople.com
      Sandra

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    4. This is so interesting. One of the king's looks like my father. Wow.

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  3. I just found out today that my ancestry is with the Tikar people. I am extremely excited and now I need to know what to do next. Are there any books or literature you can recommend I read to better understand my people?

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    2. Erroneous origin story. Tikar unconnected to Fulani. Must differentiate Tikar from Twumwu. and other preexisting CameroonGrassfields people. There is a mixup and lumping of srpatatr people. Tikar split off from Mbum not discussed too

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  4. I think it should be highlighted that it's South Sudan and not Sudan. Cameroonians have lineage with ancient South Sudan, there's no reason to call it Sudan because of the 2011 split. Also, South Sudan and Sudan had two different kingdoms functioning during the ancient civilization and Tikar people were nomadic, they resided in South Sudan. So there's some mistakes to be clarified here, also, South Sudan and Sudan shared land but never the same beliefs/culture/kingdom, they co-existed but never intermixed. Two completely different indigenous people living on land that had a non-disputed transparent border.

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    1. But before residing in southern Sudan where were they coming from my brother. By the way am Batinyuy mark seeking the root of the Tikar people from the BIBLE

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    2. This person can't be serious lol

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    3. You're an obvious American. Possibly a white one or white influenced one.

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  5. Hi all. My name if Formambuh Mutcho and originally from one of the two English speaking regions (North West region where the Tikar tribe happens to be in) Cameroon. Many African Americans have travelled to Cameroon through a program organized by the Cameroonian embassy in Washington DC. It Will be my pleasure travelling with anyone interested ( I'll pay for my own air fare and provide accommodation and tour guidance to who ever is interested. I live in Minnesota and can initially be reached at Lmuchform@icloud.com.

    Sincerely
    Mutcho Formambuh

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    1. Hello my name is D'Anthony and I just discovered that I'm 100% Tikar on my mother's side. I would love to visit, can you give me more information and possibly link up? my email is masseydanthony367@gmail.com

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    2. Anthony, COUSIN,lol. Just got my results and I'm Tikar too.

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  6. The is great information!!!! I have recently be linked through my maternal lineage. I am digging for more information. Any advice or suggestions are welcome.

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  7. African Ancestry DNA has just confirmed that my matriarchal lineage is a 100 percent match to the Tikar people of Cameroon. I would love to connect with people who have the same lineage as well as those with established connections to Cameroon. If you are interested in connecting, Please contact me at ms.willis.dc@gmail.com. I am empowered by this information and have a vision to act on in the coming year!

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  8. Hello, Melvin. I also have ancestry among the Tikar people of Cameroon. I have been thinking about how to focus more on this area in my reunion efforts. This article, along with the comments, is such a great starting point. Thank you.

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  9. I am 26% Cameroon, and want to know how to pin point the tribe I descend from.

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    1. Well you can always try visiting Cameroon for research

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  10. look on facebook : https://www.facebook.com/groups/diasporatikarandbamileke/?fref=nf

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  11. Today, African Ancestry confirmed my maternal genetic ancestry
    with TIKAR people in Cameroon today. I am excited. I will be visiting the onetikaronepeople website, as I look forward to travelling to Cameroon to meet the people of my people and naming ceremony I can't wait. Thank you for the info.
    Almanette Martin

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  12. I just found out through African Ancestry DNA that I am from the Tikar Tribe from my mother’s side. Would like more info on the Tribe and culture.

    Bruce Wynn

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  13. Thank you for this page and your work. I am just learning of my ancestral heritage, so this will be a lifelong journey for me as well. Peace.

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  14. Like many others I just got my African ancestry results back and I share materna genetic ancestry with the Tikar People of Cameroon. I look forward to learning about my culture, my people, and our history.

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  16. I'm Clinton, a Tikar from the Ngemba Clan not Ngambe. these facts i enjoyed reading. The major hub of the Tikar's in Cameroon is the Town Of Bamenda. the Bamenda people migrated from Sudan to Bamkim(Northern Cameroon) and lost to a European invasion war before migrating to the north west region( grass field Of Cameroon).Bamenda( British southern Cameroon) a former British colony . we are so unique and the British discovered it. very powerful, intelligent, creative and the most rebellious people group in Cameroon( Cameroon's oral History holds than about 80% of the Bamenda people(Tikar's) were sold into slavery. Very welcoming . trust me you visit Bamenda Cameroon with the Tikar blood ruining through your veins you will feel as you have once known these people.

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    1. This is so awesome and thanks for sharing. My maternal lineage is 100% Tikar and I soon will visit and will love to receive a sense of true belonging.

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  17. I am glad to know I am part of the Tikar people. Definitely want to k ow anout the spuritual components as well as visuting at some point. So glsd we mow have DNA testing to reconnect.

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    1. Interesting you can contact me to know more about our tradition

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  18. Thank you have Tikar on my mothers side African American.

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  19. I am Tikar I Did African ancestry and it say that I share most of my DNA with the Tikar people.

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  20. I want to thank you for the hx of the Tikar tribe. I married a Cameroon women of the past 22 years. Before the DNA tests, when I visited Cameroon my in-laws said I resembled people from the north in the region of Bamenda. they used the term KiKi people. My wife is from Dougla in the french speaking area, but she speaks English very well. We have land in this area, and planning on building a home, school and church. We live in Louisiana.

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  21. Hello... Just got my african ancestry results... Came back L3E1b.... Tikar mitochondrial match 99.7& Tikar frim 590 to 2000 years ago or further.... Im so exicited

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  22. Hi,
    I am from Donga-Mantung Division in Cameroon. My people are called Yamba people. We are part of the Tikar tribe. From the stories I was told, the escape of our people from slave riders led to the split into 42 villages. For some of you African Americans who were identified as 'Tikar'. You may well be my relatives. If you Google 'Yamba People in Cameroon', you will be able to find more information about this tribe. There are also some publications. I have some personal stories to share too.
    Good luck.

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  23. I just got my DNA test results from African Ancestry; the results from my maternal line is Tekar. I am so excited and I am proud.

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    1. Good to know my Brother/Sister. Our People are not lost. I encourage you to come home and visit. So much history to absorb. and language to hear.

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  24. Hello guys my name is Aurel Npounengnong and I am Bemenjin a neighbor tribe of Bamoun. I am a Rising Sophomore at American Univeristy. and I can answer some of your questions on the spiritual belief of siritual system in the Tikar from stories told from my father Mr Fouodjing and his Father Mr. Tenguefong. It's all tied to language everything about our spirituality is tied to our language.

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    1. Hi Aurel,

      I would like to know about the spiritual belief system of the Tikar people. I am of Tikar descent via DNA testing.

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    2. Peace Aurel, my question is what is the name of the spiritual system and language?

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    3. Hi Aurel! I actually graduated from American University in 2011. Would love to hear whatever you’d like to share

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  25. I recently received test results for my mother and my maternal side is Tikar as well. I’m planning my trip back with my family. I can’t wait to receive my true African name. This article excites me more each time I read it.

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  26. Video: Nigeria vs Cameroon 3-2 Highlights & All Goals

    Holders Cameroon were knocked out of the Africa Cup of Nations by Nigeria in a five-goal last-16 thriller.
    Watch the video highlights at https://www.thekillerpunch.com/nigeria-vs-cameroon-3-2-highlights-all-goals/

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  27. I am 99.4% Tikar on my maternal side. So excited and would love to go to Cameroon.

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  28. Hi my name is Thomas nguivoum from Bankim-Adamaoua- Tikar tribes but live in Tacoma-WA

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    1. Please do you speak the language?

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    2. Please do you speak the language?

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    3. Greetings Thomas, How long have you lived in Tacoma-WA? And would you be interested in enlightening us about the people and the place?

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    4. Greetings Cousin,
      It would be nice to connect and learn a bit about my ancestry discovered thru African Ancestry. I live on Whidbey Island also in Washington.

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  29. Wonderful information. Just found out recently maternal dna is from Cameroon.Super excited!

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  30. Trying to find out more about this information I received text me are call me at 7602627875 Concern!

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  31. Greetings I too am Super EXCITED! Just got our DNA test results on my mother's line. We Are TIKAR. Feeling so blessed. It is more than coincidence that I have been drawn to my African heritage. I am a teacher of African traditional dance and culture for over 30 years. I lived in Guinea, W. Africa and speak French fluently. I am a budding scholar of African dance. I have had training with masquerade and love to do work with my hands. None of which is a coincidence. I am so appreciative to be apart of this movement and our right to reclaim our heritage taken from us. Cameroon I am coming soon to return home. My family is very excited.

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  32. Tikar are the Israelites of the Bible

    They are a product of 2 mix groups Kingdom of JUDAH & Mannesah !!!!!

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    1. Stop it. Some of you say thr same about us the Bamileke. Stop applying your religious beliefs to us please.

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    2. It is important. Extremely important. So wonderful to know.....Biblical Tribe of Judah

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    3. the tikars and the bamileke are the same. we are not hebrews we are ourselves descendants of migrants who kept their history and traditional beliefs for thousands of years. once day again we shall be reunited by breaking the mental border that the french-british divide created to weaken us.

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    4. Just curious why the backlash or disappointment that people are trying to understand their given right to a people they were separated from and their religious practices? If Tikar people are migrants that have been divided by a system then there is a lot of lost truths so how can one be disregarded without research or proof? Just asking…

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  33. Just got my results 99.7% Tikar. I'm proud to be Tikar. I am in education administration. Live in Texas originally from Virginia. I would love to know more about the beliefs, religion,rituals,etc

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    1. Just got mine too (99.4%). I live and am from Texas as well. I'm also asking the same questions

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  34. I found out through my son’s Matriclan DNA test results I am a Tikar woman. I’d like to know more about their religious beliefs and their place in government

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  35. Received maternal results....100% Tikar woman! Wow.

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  36. Just received my DNA results and I am 99.4% Tikar woman! Thanks for this information. I want to learn info about the spiritual system.

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  37. Just received my DNA results and I am 99.4% Tikar woman! Thanks for this information. I want to learn info about the spiritual system.

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  38. I received my results that say I am Tikar,Hausa and Fulani through my maternal lineage.I would love any information on how I could be mixed with all three. I would appreciate any information you could give me about the mixing of these three tribes or are they the same people

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  39. I have Traced my Roots Thru African Ancestry.com to Camaroon, Africa Tikar People. I'm so very Proud to be Tikar of Camaroon...Ase'oooo

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  40. I’m excited to know I’m 100% Tikar. I just wish the language wasn’t a barrier. I too cannot wait to visit and get my true African name.

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  41. Hi I just found out that I have two car in my lineage how can I find out more information about my DNA

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  42. I just received my African Ancestry MatriClan Test result and am so happy to find out that the results, on my maternal side, are 100% Tikar people in Cameroon. I am hungry for as much info as I can get about the people, the place, their history, religion, etc.

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  44. Ive also discovered through mtDNA I am 100% Tikar woman. I am traveling to Cameroon this summer, and am very interested in learning about spirituality, language, and cultural practices. Anyone who can point me to reliable sources of information on these subjects is welcome to email divinefavor43@gmail.com . Thank you

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  45. I just received my African Ancestry MatriClan Test result and am so happy to find out that the results, on my maternal side, are 99.4 percent Tikar people in Cameroon. I would love to connect with anyone with roots in the area as well. My email is ibc.philip@gmail.com. I want to learn as much as I can about the area as well. Thanks

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  46. I just got my maternal results back 99.2% Tikar of Cameroon- I am so excited to learn more about myself and my people

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  47. Hello, just discovered that i'm Tikar over 99%. When is the next trip? We were always told that we were Nigerians which is not far fetched.

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  48. All my life, I been told I look like the Cameroonians, come to find out, I am decended from Cameroonians and Nigerians. I am from the USA!

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  49. I'm part of the Tikar tribe on my mother side love it I'm learning more thanks Ancestor.

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  50. I'm From NSO one of the Tikar tribes.im proud to see my brothers and sisters expecially those tracing their roots through DNA . We are proud of you and I'm available to any worries per the history , chances to reinstate with communities of your ancestry .thank you Dule Christain.

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  51. I got my results in January. Turns out I'm 99.7% of the Tikar, Hausa, & Fulani People Living in Cameroon. There's so much more I want to know. Where do I began?

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