Women's resistance in Cameroon's western Grassfields: the power of symbols, organization, and leadership, 1957-1961

bibliographic database
Line

Periodical article

Title:	Women's resistance in Cameroon's western Grassfields: the power of symbols, organization, and leadership, 1957-1961
Author:	Kah, Henry Kam
Year:	2010
Periodical:	African Studies Quarterly (ISSN 1093-2658)
Volume:	12
Issue:	3
Pages:	67-91
Language:	English
Geographic terms:	Cameroon Southern Cameroons
Subjects:	national liberation struggles women symbols
External link:	https://asq.africa.ufl.edu/kah_summer11/
Abstract:	The contribution of women in the Bamenda western Grassfields of Cameroon to the struggle for liberation from colonial rule manifested itself in many diverse forms, including mass mobilization, petitions, boycotts, and engagement in overtly hostile acts. The women's revolt in this region was well thought-out and their activities in the different fondoms carefully synchronized. This organization was also the upshot of an authoritative and menacing use of symbols that startled men's institutions like 'kuiifuai' or 'kwifoyn' which supported the colonial subjugation of women, tacitly or outright. These were forced into lassitude, and the result was the sovereignty of British Southern Cameroons through reunification with the Republic of Cameroon on 1 October 1961, with the territory renamed the West Cameroon State. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum. [Journal abstract]