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Author: La Vuelta al Mundo de Dan y David
The Kom
Cameroon has two types of government; political and tribal.
Politically, the country is divided into a central government, divisions or regions and subdivisions each democratically elected. We are living in the subdivision of Fundong, part of Boyo division, Northwest Province. Tribally the country is divided into territories occupied by different tribes or ethnicities. All tribes have their own language and culture and ther are over 200 of them!
We are in Kom territory. The Kom live in the highlands of the Northwest province and live principally off the land with small farm holdings. They are governed by tribal chief or Fon and his delegates. The government and police control national matters and the Fon tribal matters such as land disputes. (Next week we'll visit him with a gift or offering).
According to kom rules, the husband is the head of the family and can have as many wives as he can economically maintain, including building a house for each within the compound. The women are responsible for farming and providing food, whereas the husband sells any surplus produce.
Respect for others, especially for elders is extremely important for the Kom. Here are some rules that we have had to learn:
- Never cross your legs when sitting infront of others, especially elders. It is sign of disrespect.
- Don´t smell the food that you are offered as it is a sign that you do not trust the person who is offering it to you.
- Show respect for older people, for example always wait for them to greet you first, only offer your hand to be shaken if they offer theirs first, and don´t intterrupt them when they are speaking.
The crossing the legs part is especially difficult to remember!
Cameroon has two types of government; political and tribal.
Politically, the country is divided into a central government, divisions or regions and subdivisions each democratically elected. We are living in the subdivision of Fundong, part of Boyo division, Northwest Province. Tribally the country is divided into territories occupied by different tribes or ethnicities. All tribes have their own language and culture and ther are over 200 of them!
We are in Kom territory. The Kom live in the highlands of the Northwest province and live principally off the land with small farm holdings. They are governed by tribal chief or Fon and his delegates. The government and police control national matters and the Fon tribal matters such as land disputes. (Next week we'll visit him with a gift or offering).
According to kom rules, the husband is the head of the family and can have as many wives as he can economically maintain, including building a house for each within the compound. The women are responsible for farming and providing food, whereas the husband sells any surplus produce.
Respect for others, especially for elders is extremely important for the Kom. Here are some rules that we have had to learn:
- Never cross your legs when sitting infront of others, especially elders. It is sign of disrespect.
- Don´t smell the food that you are offered as it is a sign that you do not trust the person who is offering it to you.
- Show respect for older people, for example always wait for them to greet you first, only offer your hand to be shaken if they offer theirs first, and don´t intterrupt them when they are speaking.
The crossing the legs part is especially difficult to remember!
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