Title:
THE SYMBOLISM OF STONES AND MEGALITHS IN THE BAMENDA-TIKAR FONDOMS OF CAMEROON

Authors:
Exodus TIKERE MOFFOR

Abstract:
A megalith is a large stone, sometimes forming part of a group or circle, thought to have been important to people in the Stone Age. A stone can mean different things and have varied functions to different people in the world in general and to Africans in particular. In the majority of Bamenda Grassfield societies, there are stones of different categories ranging from the very simple to the most sacred. The simple stones have varied uses. The sacred ones vary in nature (shape, size and colour); they are found in diverse places and perform different roles. These stones range from the long, round to very big hills. They are produced and consecrated by diverse sacred societies under the supervision of the kwifon. Different stones and megaliths are associated with different sacred institutions. Stones are a symbol of power and authority, representations rooted in the people’s ancestor veneration. The objective of this paper is to uncover the symbolism and roles of stones among the Bamenda-Tikars with a special interest in sacred stones or megaliths. Data for this paper was collected using the qualitative and quantitative methods and the data was analysed as soon as the research was over.

Keywords:
symbolism, stones, megaliths, Bamenda-Tikar, fundom, Kwifon,

DOI:
http://dx.doi.org/10.37500/IJESSR.2020.3605