Abstract:
The people of the Bamenda Grassfields of Cameroon are incredible artists, producing invaluable
objects in all the domains of arts; basketry, sculpture, embroidery, pottery, paintings, etc. People in
receptacles: the case of the basket in the Bamenda Grassfields of Cameroon examines the usefulness
of this culturally valuable object in the daily lives of the people. It raises the problem that as days go
by, some of the values of the baskets are being modified because of the introduction of alternative
containers. Although the basket like most indigenous receptacles still play very important functions in
rituals and healing, if this domain of art is not conserved, in the next two to three decades, the
generations to come will know nothing about the baskets because they might completely disappear.
Before the arrival of the ‘whiteman’ or before the Bamenda Grassfields people came in contact with
the outside world, the basket could be seen in all the different parts of the peoples’ culture, it could be
used to identify different groups as their production style and materials varied. In the Nkambe area,
more and more compact baskets were and are being produced unlike in areas like Bambui, Bafut,
Mankon, Kedjom etc, where loosely woven baskets were and are manufactured.
Data for this paper was collected using both qualitative and quantitative methods. The researcher
conducted fieldwork where he observed, interviewed key informants as well as took photographs of
the different baskets and how they are being used. Information collected was analyzed soon after the
fieldwork and interpreted using the theories of cultural ecology, functionalism as well as cultural
dynamics. |
Keywords:
receptacles, indigenous, baskets, Bamenda Grassfields, rituals, healing |
