Birth is the beginning of life. The birth of a child is a source of extreme joy, not only to the family but to the entire community. Bafut people believe that a child is a gift from God and this in itself shows that a child is a demi-god who is to be honoured,praised and glorified.
There are therefore celebrations in the family and the community to welcome the new one into the family and society. My people believe that at conception, a child has one mother and one father. However, from the moment the child makes its first cry, it becomes a child of the community and everyone contributes to its upbringing. In Bafut, there are no words for cousins,aunts and uncles. These are simply brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers respectively, who share the responsibilities towards the child’s welfare. In return, it is expected that the child will look after them at old age.
Traditional Birth Ceremonies and Rites
During the development of a baby in the womb, the parents start preparing for traditional rites and ceremonies which are to be performed after the birth of the baby. There are three stages ofcelebrating the birth of a baby in the Bafut kingdom.
Stage One: Safe Delivery Ceremony (Njo
Bimakwerə)
After the successful delivery of a baby by traditional midwives (“Beu-Makwere”), the latter
and some selected women of the compound and quarter are… read more
Stage Two: Burial of the Navel (Nleu Netong
Neu Muh)
The burial of the navel of a baby is very important in the Bafut tradition. It is a suicidal mistake to… read more
Stage Three: Birth Celebration (Ndaamu)
Locally known as “born house”, this important ceremony is limited to the family of the wife and husband. Friends of the wife and husband are… read more