Mambila Traditional Religion. Sua in Somié

This work is an analysis of Mambila religion based on fieldwork

in Somie village, Cameroon. An ethnographic and historical introduction

to the Mambila is followed by an account of their religious concepts. It

is argued that, despite their adherence to Christianity (and to Islam),

traditional practices continue to be of great importance in everyday

life. In order to examine traditional practice descriptions are given of

divination and oath-taking rites. Translated transcripts of the

different forms of the sua-oath form the empirical core of the thesis.

The transcripts illustrate the way that Mambila experience and

understand the meaning of sua. Descriptions are also given of the sua

masquerades. Finally I examine problems inherent in the analysis of non

literate societies lacking a reflective tradition, and in particular,

societies lacking precise, structured religious concepts. This allows

for discussion of resulting implications on the relationships between

religion, politics and `symbolic power.'