Hilltopvoices Team
The
Mbororo Social and Cultural Development Association
of Cameroon MBOSCUDA has expressed the need for every member of a
community with Mbororos to respect their culture of silence which is part of
their lives as a way of promoting peaceful coexistence in a culturally diverse
society.
The need for such respect was popularised during a three day workshop on
May 28 and 29 in Bamenda on “bridging the gap: safeguarding peace and human
rights by promoting intercultural dialogue in the NW region of Cameroon.” organised
by MBOSCUDA. |
| Newspaper and online reporters including bloggers during phase two workshop |
According
to Sali Django North West Regional Coordinator for MBOSCUDA, ethnic minorities like Mbororos
and Fulanis have particular cultures that make them unique yet easy to be
tagged as being reserved or proud due to lack of acceptance or tolerance of their
own culture. He cited “Pulaaku” which is the culture of silence common amongst
Mbororo who may not be in agreement with an idea and activity but will prefer
to be silent. He maintained that this constitute an important element if the
cultural rights of Mbororos have to be respected.
Speaking
at the opening of the workshop for newspaper and online reporters as well as
bloggers, the MBOSCUDA coordinator encouraged media outlets to take interest on
issues relating to cultural rights so as to raise awareness for the respect of
such rights. This he explained will promote intercultural dialogue and build a
peaceful society despite the cultural diversity.
Ilyn
Ferla of the NW Regional Delegation of Arts and Culture admits that cultural
misunderstanding and misinterpretation has been at the origin of many conflicts
in the region. She appeals to the press take interest in the promotion of
cultural rights so as to minimise such conflicts.
While
sharing the success story of MBOSCUDA in
relation to finding lasting solutions to farmer-grazier conflicts in the region
via the project “search of a common ground”, Shey Kanjo Williams a development consultant
notes that at least 80% of the population (including Mbororos and Fulanis) of
the North West region depend largely on agriculture as their source of income
and livelihood as a result of their living in rural areas. This is said is
sufficient ground for conflicts due to cultural intolerance and demand for land
and water resources to nourish the various agricultural products being crops or
animals. He thus expressed the need for the cultural difference of every group
to be respected in a bid to safeguard peace and promote intercultural dialogue.
“There is
increasing competition over access to land and water between Mbororo cattle
herders (a semi-nomadic marginalised minority) and crop farmers. This has
weakened relations and led to conflict and hostility between the two
communities and in extreme cases, people have been killed. United Purpose is
responding directly to this need by working with in partnership with local
human rights organisation MBOSCUDA (Mbororo Social and Cultural Development
Association of Cameroon).” United
Purpose UK a partner in the organisation of the workshop states.
Another
partner North West Farmers’ Organisation NOWEFOR
hopes to unite all farmers in the North West region of Cameroon irrespective of
type of agricultural activity into “a force that provides concrete services to
its members in view of sustaining their agricultural activities, increasing
their incomes and empowering them to lead development initiatives in their
communities.”
The
two phase project involving radio and Television reporters for the first phase
and newspaper and online reporters as well as bloggers is amongst the many
projects funded by the European
Union in Cameroon.
Photo Credits: Nestor Njodzefe
Photo Credits: Nestor Njodzefe