| Abstract: | 1857 Barth: Tikar name used by the Fulbe to describe tribes in Adamawa who have probably other names for themselves. Name Tikar unknown at the coast; 1899 Hutter: collective term used by the Fulani; 1907 Moisel: classes the Bamum as Tikars. Tikar denotes 'a numerous tribe'. 1922: O. and C.L. Temple use Tikar for the Chamba; Hawksworth uses the word in Bamenda in 1925 where it has been in use up to Kaberry's monograph. The author's experience in Bamenda: people asked whether they are Tikars answer 'Oh yes, we are Tikars'. In 1958 Kirk-Greene uses the word Tikar to describe the Mambilla pagans. Best explanation for the name Tikar: a Fulani nickname bestowed on a mixed group of people; it is not a tribal name but a portmanteau word or collective terrm for a large number of tribes living in an ill-defined area who belong to different cultural and linguistic groups. It seems that the suggestions of Barth and Hutter are correct. The answer to the question 'Who are the Tikars?' is that as a distinct tribe there are no such people. References. |
AfricaBib 
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Leiden University catalogue
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