Tikar people

During the reign of Sultan Njoya, ruler of the Kingdom of Bamum, French missionary and translator Henri Martin documented that the Bamum people translated the word Tikar as "those who wander". Today, there is ongoing debate about whether the Tikar should be considered a distinct ethnic group, like the Hausa people, or if the term serves as a general label for multiple groups. Some smaller communities assert that they descend from the Tikar people. Although these claims are heavily contested, one ethnic group in modern Cameroon identifies as Tikar and is recognized as directly descending from the original Tikar people. Debates persist regarding the broader use of the term Tikar/Tikari to designate many villages and towns in northwestern Cameroon. Additionally, some ethnic groups in the region claim Tikar descent through royal bloodlines. However, oral traditions and DNA testing conducted by companies such as African Ancestry, Inc. have demonstrated that these groups are genetically distinct. While some individuals receive Tikar of Cameroon results, others are identified as Bamileke of Cameroon. The Bamum and other groups have also asserted connections to the Tikar people through Tikar rulers of the Kingdom of Bamum. According to Molefi Kente Asante, the "Bamum and the Tikar are renowned as great artists who create monumental sculptures of bronze and beads. Cultural exchanges between the Tikar and the Bamum have enriched both groups. For instance, the Bamum adopted numerous words from the Tikar language, as well as from other languages, including Bafanji, Bamali, and Bambalang." Anthropologists have also noted cultural similarities between the Tikar and the Bamum. E. M. Chilver and Phyllis Mary Kaberry suggested that claims of Tikar ancestry by smaller Grassfields groups may often be political in nature. Small communities of Hausa people in Cameroon also identify as Tikar. Groups claiming descent from Tikar fondoms include the Bambili, Oku, Kom, Bum, Bafut, Nso, Mbiame, Wiya, Tang, War, Mbot, Mbem, Fungom, Weh, Mmen, Bamunka, Babungo, Bamessi, Bamessing, Bambalang, Bamali, Bafanji, Baba (Papiakum), Bangola, Big Babanki, Babanki Tungo, Nkwen, and Bambui. However, anthropologists and historians generally agree that only the Kom, Nso, Bamum, Ndop-Bamunka, and Bafut peoples have credible claims to Tikar ancestry. == Origin ==

Oral tradition asserts that the Tikar people originally inhabited the Nile River valley in present-day Sudan. For reasons that remain unclear—possibly war or famine—the Tikar settled in Cameroon, where they established several kingdoms throughout history. Upon their arrival, they were perceived as "Sudanese conquerors," transforming northern-central Cameroon and earning recognition for their ironmaking expertise. Professor and social anthropologist David Zeitlyn analyzed Tikar origin theories proposed by various historians, including Eldridge Mohammadou, who researched the history of central Cameroon and Tikar-speaking groups. Zeitlyn noted that "the main question at issue is the origin of the founders of the dynasties and the palace institutions of the different Tikar-speaking groups. How much credit is to be given to claims of Mbum origin? To answer this, a variety of evidence must be considered, including oral tradition and historical linguistics." While some researchers argue there is no evidence that the Tikar ever lived along the Nile, others contend that there is also no evidence to disprove it. These opposing views, supported by oral traditions and the overall uncertainty of Tikar origins, underscore the need for further exploration. Eldridge Mohammadou hypothesized that Tikar kingdoms were established by invaders from the Bare-Chamba group, who overthrew local Mbum rulers in the 18th century. According to him, the term Tikar originally referred to the political and military elite of these invaders. Mohammadou also suggested that the Mbum were the region's original inhabitants and spread their culture and language through peaceful interactions and trade. However, Zeitlyn identified several issues with Mohammadou's arguments, including the lack of concrete evidence for Bare-Chamba invasions, confusion between groups with similar names, and insufficient consideration of oral traditions and linguistic evidence. Zeitlyn also questioned Mohammadou's claim that the Bamum history diverges significantly from that of Claude Tardits, who argued that the Bamum resulted from a gradual process of cultural and political integration rather than a sudden conquest. Zeitlyn compared Mohammadou's conclusions with those of Jean Hurault, who attributed regional change primarily to the influence of the Fulbe, rather than the Bare-Chamba. == History ==

According to Mbum oral tradition, after migrating and settling in the Far North Region of Cameroon, the Mbum ancestors of the Tikar people were ruled by Nya Sana. Little is known about his reign, but oral accounts state that a royal lineage emerged from Nya Sana, eventually producing Took Gokor. Another Mbum Fon (king) and Yesum or Yelaa (queen consort) Founding of Tikar kingdoms In the late 14th century, two Tikar brothers, Tinki and Guié, founded two autonomous Tikar kingdoms: the Kingdom of Bankim (also called Kimi) at Rifum, and the Kingdom of Ngambé-Tikar. These lineages gave rise to Tikar princes and princesses who embarked on significant migrations, creating new dynasties. In the first wave of migrations, Prince Ncharé (also called Njáré) founded the Kingdom of Bamum, Princess N'Gouen (also called Nguonso) established the Kingdom of Nso (also called Banso), and Prince Doundje established the Kingdom of Nditam (also called Bandam), ruling alongside Queen Mother Nduingnyi. Later Prince Kpo departed Nditam to found the Kingdom of Ngoumé, and Prince G'Batteu created the Kingdom of Gâ. Impact of the Atlantic slave trade During the 18th and 19th centuries, the Tikar people suffered devastating losses due to the Atlantic slave trade. Chamba and Fulani slave traffickers, drawn by the Tikar's prosperous iron-working and mask-making industries, targeted the Tikar population. While many enslaved Cameroonians and Nigerians were shipped from the Bight of Biafra, significant numbers of Tikar and Duala were sold upriver to Sierra Leone and downriver to Angola. From there, they were transported to the Americas. Records indicate that Tikar captives constituted a significant proportion of enslaved Cameroonians brought to the Americas, contributing to the steep decline of the Tikar population in Africa. Despite this, the remaining Tikar preserved their heritage through oral tradition and sustained their cultural practices. == Geography ==

There are currently six adjoining Tikar kingdoms: Bankim (Kimi), Ngambé-Tikar, Kong, Nditam (Bandam), Ngoumé, and Gâ. The boundaries of these kingdoms have remained since German colonizers arrived in Cameroon. Today, the Tikar people inhabit the Adamawa Region and certain regions of Bamenda Province. The Northwest is composed of the Fungum, Bum, and Kom. The Northeast is composed of Mbem, Mbaw, Wiya, War and Tang. The Southeast is composed of Banso (Nsaw), Ndop and Bafut. == Languages ==

The Tikar people, speak a Northern Bantoid, semi-Bantu language called Tikar, which is hypothesized to be a divergent language in the Niger-Congo language family. The Tikar language (also called Tigé, Tigré or Tikari) has four regional dialects, including Túmú, which spoken in Bankim and Nditam. == Genetics ==

Genetic testing found that many Tikar belong to Haplogroup L3e1, which is also prevalent in Madagascar, Angola, Yemen, and the Canary Islands. The L3e haplogroup is believed to have an origin "in the Central Africa/Sudan region ~45,000 years ago." A 2010 study showed that the Tikar are a genetic outlier to peoples of Nigeria's Cross River region, Igboland and Ghana, showing significant differences. The same study found Tikar-related genetic variations amongst the Bakongo people of Democratic Republic of Congo, Bantu ethnic groups in Kenya, the Himba people and Damara people of Namibia, and the Eland Cave Bay remains in South Africa, Through DNA testing with African Ancestry, Inc., founded by geneticist Dr. Rick Kittles and entrepreneur Dr. Gina Paige, people of African descent across the United States, South America and the Caribbean have been able to trace their lineages to the Tikar people of Cameroon. Genetic testing showed that the descendants of these stolen people of the Tikar-Pygmy cluster translocated the mtdna Haplogroup L3 to the Americas when they were forcibly taken. As a result, L3 is fairly common in the United States and Brazil today. == Culture ==

The Tikar are an artistically and culturally significant people. The design of Toghu and Ndop cloth print became a cultural marker of the Tikar and Grassfields peoples, creating a unique style that made them easily distinguishable from other peoples outside of the region. These intricate designs is still used today for clothing, architecture, art and to demarcate royal ritual spaces. Menang is a traditional dance of the Tikar. Artistry The Tikar are renowned for their highly detailed masks. Their artistry put the Tikar people at the center of trade and politics in Cameroon and made them a force to reckoned with in the eyes of neighboring ethnic groups, especially considering they are thought to be the only people in the region who were skilled in iron-working. Their masks are often characterized by their strongly defined noses and large eyes. They are also known for their beautifully decorated brass pipes. Along with the Bamileke people, the Tikar are also known for their intricate elephant masks, which became renowned in the town Bali. Tikar horns and trumpets play a significant role in spiritual and cultural ceremonies with each design being purposefully sculpted for a specific event. The same can be said for elaborate grassland palaces, which feature hand-carved pillars supporting the roof overhangs, an ensemble of door posts, lintels and sills framing the entrance, as well as the interior doorways facing the open courtyards. Cultural beliefs Surrounded by great grasslands, the Tikar people developed a unique understanding of nature and performed planting rituals to bless seeds and work implements. Other ethnic groups in the region were known to offer animal sacrifices when it was time to plant. In the case of a son, the masculinity also came from this. == Spirituality ==

The Tikar people predominantly practice Christianity today. However, there are a small number who practice traditional religions and Islam. Despite the differences between the spiritual practices, the Tikar are known to refer to God the Creator as Nyuy, and the Bamileke people refer to Nyuy as Si. Both groups, along with the other peoples of the Grasslands, believe God requires them to reverence their lineage ancestors. This is pivotal to their spirituality; as they traditionally believed their ancestral spirits were embodied in the skulls of the deceased ancestors and still present. After they settled in Cameroon, the Tikar people soon found themselves fleeing northern Cameroon for Adamawa to avoid forced-conversion to by Muslim Fulani invaders, who moved southward into Cameroon to take advantage of the lucrative, west-central trade route. The Tikar then migrated southward to what would become known as the city of Foumban in Northwest Cameroon. Once the Fulani followed to the south, holy war began, forcing some ethnic groups to flee yet again. Others, like the Bamun, remained, hoping to resist Islam. The Fulani conquest was brief and did not result in Islamization, although this faith was accepted by a later Bamum ruler, Sultan Ibrahim Mbouombouo Njoya, in the early 20th century. This created the division between the Bamum and Bafia people. ==Notable people of direct Tikar descent==

• Naomi Achu, Cameroonian singer of Mendankwe-Nkwen (Bamenda-Nkwen) ethnicity • Simon Achidi Achu, Cameroonian politician of Bafut ethnicity • Justin Che, Cameroonian-American footballer of Bafut ethnicity • Collins Fai, Cameroonian footballer of Nso ethnicity • Bernard Fonlon, Cameroonian politician and educationist of Nso ethnicity • John Ngu Foncha, Cameroonian politician of Bamenda-Nkwen ethnicity • Libianca, Cameroonian-American singer of Bamenda-Nkwen ethnicity • Magasco, Cameroonian singer of Kom ethnicity • John Fru Ndi, Cameroonian politician of Bamenda-Nkwen ethnicity • Ndamukong Suh, Cameroonian-American NFL player of Jamaican and Bamenda-Nkwen descent ==Notable people of distant Tikar ancestry==

• Anthony Anderson, American actor, comedian, writer, and game show host • Blair Underwood, American actor • Condoleezza Rice, American diplomat and political scientist who served as the 66th U.S. Secretary of State • Ebro Darden, American media executive and radio personality • Flying Lotus, American hip hop producer • Quincy Jones, American music producer • Sinbad, American stand-up comedian and actor • Spike Lee, American film director, producer, screenwriter, actor, and professor • Vanessa E. Williams, American actress and producer • Vinícius Júnior, Brazilian footballer • Wanda Sykes, American stand-up comedian, actress, and writer ==References==