Bassa people (Cameroon)

[1] Throughout the era of European colonial presence, the Bassa were able to take advantage of Christian missionaries to attain a Western-style education, particularly from German Protestants and American Presbyterians.[1] The Bassa played a lead role during decolonization, and the Bassa-Bakongo region was a hotbed of radical anti-colonial nationalism, particularly the Union des Populations du Cameroun (UPC).After several invasions (Pharaonic, Ethiopian and Arab) of Nubia, and natural disasters such as floods, the Bassa moved as far as possible from the Nile by crossing the Sahara Desert to descend towards the southwest[citation needed].Then, they follow the Logone River to take refuge in Guelingdeng before hiding in the Mandara Mountains between present-day Cameroon, Nigeria, and Chad, which recall the landscapes of Nubia.During this migration, they interact with other ethnic groups, leading to Bassa people today being found in Benin, Gambia, Kenya, Liberia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, and South Africa.Other families crossed the Sanaga in several places, this was the case of the Bikôk, the Ndôg Njee, the Eséka, the Dôk Béa of Makak, the Ngase of Edéa, the Yabi, and the Bakoko; others went deeper into the forests of Yabassi and Haut Nkam.Contact with Europeans [1472 - 1960] The Portuguese influence between 1472 and 1578 did not directly concern the Bassa people, who nevertheless owed them the introduction of certain American fruits coming from Sao Tome and Fernando Po, notably the avocado, the papaya, cocoa, and sugar cane.However, the Germans, after having pacified their relationship with the natives, undertook numerous projects mainly relating to the cultivation of cocoa, creating several centers in the villages of Makak, Eséka, Longone, Nkan, Omeng, and Nyambat.Back home, and due to ideas received in Europe during the Second World War, the Bassa united with other natives to form independence movements.Traditional Beliefs and Religion: The Bassa people have a strong connection to their ancestral spirits and believe in a spiritual world that coexists with the physical realm.Skilled artisans create intricate wooden carvings, masks, and sculptures that are not only aesthetically stunning but also hold significant cultural and spiritual meaning.The Bassa people use various traditional instruments, such as drums, xylophones, and flutes, to accompany their dances, which are characterized by rhythmic movements and colorful costumes.
Map showing distribution of Bassa people in Cameroon.
Bassa people (Liberia)Basaa languageBantu peoplesethnic groupCameroonEuropean tradersmarginalizationKamerunGerman expansionDoualaYaoundémissionariesProtestantsPresbyteriansdecolonizationUnion des Populations du CamerounGriotsLake ChadAncient EgyptSahara DesertKanem BornuLogone Valleyplateaus of AdamawaMandara MountainsNigeriaArab conquestsGambiaLiberiaDemocratic Republic of CongoSenegalSouth AfricaSanagaWouri RiverYabassiHaut NkamNkam RiverMbangaNkongsambaAtlantic OceanMalimbaBakokoPortugueseintroduction of certain American fruitsSao TomeFernando Poavocadopapayasugar caneEnglishGermansMajor Hans DominikSanaga MaritimeGermanic erabuilt a railway lineFrench periodSecond World WarGerman armiesindependence movementsAncestor worshipanimismtraditional ritualsxylophonesflutesÉdéaÉsékapalm oilbanana leafRuben Um NyobeBassek Ba KobhioKylian Mbappé Nathalie YambRoger MillaJoseph Antoine BellEmmanuel KundéFrançois Omam-BiyikSamuel Eto'oRigobert SongJean II MakounJoël MatipSamuel UmtitiJean Alain BoumsongEmile NtamackNicolas BatumJoel EmbiidCarlos BalebaBlick BassyWerewere LikingAchille MbembeEthnic groups in CameroonAkunakunaAnglo-CameroonianBakossiBalighamBamilekeBeti-PahuinBudumaChambaKanuriYerwa KanuriKapsikiMusgumTupuriKotokoMambilaMandaraMankonWidikumWodaabe