Witchcraft can make you rich in Cameroon
29 May 2006
Young, poor Cameroonians have succeeded in amassing incredible fortunes with the help of occult swindling practices. With their expensive cars and flashy clothes they have become the role models for the new generation. Dutch-sponsored researcher Basile Ndjio believes that by permitting or even promoting these practices, the government of Cameroon is hindering its country’ s development.
Swindlers in Cameroon, with expensive cars and flashy clothes, are the embodiment of occult economies. These nouveau rich mostly come from poor backgrounds with few prospects. 'Feymania', as the Cameroonians refer to the swindling practices, are often interpreted in terms of magic and witchcraft. And as they are so rich many hold them in awe, to the extent that the new generation has even adopted them as role models.
Bamileke immigrants
The feymen are mostly young
Bamileke immigrants from the mountain regions of Cameroon. Their unorthodox way
of working goes against the general ethics and economic ethos of the Bamileke
people. Both the Cameroonian officials and Bamileke authorities are –in their
own ways- trying to 'tame' these young people by cooperating with them.
Spread to Europe
Ndjio discovered that the swindlers
respond in two different ways to the state’s efforts to contain their
practices. Some do good business with the state and extend their practices with
the help of their friends in political circles. Others would rather remain
independent. They settle abroad in countries like France and the United
Kingdom, as they do not believe in the future of their home country.
Negative image of Cameroon
By permitting feymania, the
government of Cameroon would appear to be hindering the development of its own
country, which has been in an economic crisis since the 1990s. Moreover, this
stance is undermining their own attempts to control corruption and criminality. Cameroon is seen as the most corrupt and criminalised country in the world. And
the spread of this type of swindling practice across Europe, is only serving to
strengthen the negative image of Cameroonians as dishonest and immoral people.
Basile Ndjio’s research was funded by NWO.
...........................
For further information please contact:
- M. Basile Ndjio, MA (Universiteit van Amsterdam/ASSR)
- bndjio@yahoo.com
- The doctoral thesis will be defended on 8 June 2006.
- Supervisor Prof. Paul Nchoji Nkwi (University of Yaounde, Cameroon), associate supervisor Dr Piet Konings (African Studies Centre, Leiden)
