Bamiléké Funerals: Terms & Definitions

Terms & Definitions
A B C DEFGHIJKLM NOPQRS TUVWXYZ

Animism - The belief that natural phenomena or inanimate objects possess spirits.

Bantu - A linguistic group (rather than an ethnic group) with about 800 distinct languages, including a number of mostly unresearched dialects, in sub-Saharan Africa.

Chief - One who is highest rank in traditional authority.

Mami Wata - In Central and West African pidgin, the name of a female water deity, generally also for extraordinarily beautiful women who are believed to embody qualities of Mami Wata.

Mask - Whether covering only the head or the whole body, whether a naturalistic image or a strongly stylized form, masks are originally and universally regarded as representations of the greater powers.

Monogamy - Marriage to only one person at a time.

Notables - Advisors to the chief who may also perform religious rites.

Polygamy - The condition of having more than one spouse at the same time.

Secret Societies - Institutionalized associations of certain men (less frequently women) who possess a particular knowledge that must strictly be kept from outsiders, and who perform certain special tasks.

Successor - A person who is chosen to succeed and take on the responsibilities of someone who dies. This person is usually the son of the person who dies.

Tribe - Political associations of linguistically and culturally related groups with a common ancestry - that is, of several clans who usually inhabit a single territory and are connected by marriage, bartering, and other associations. Because of the autonomy of each clan, and even of lineage, in traditional societies, these connections are quite loose.

Most definitions taken from:





	Terms & Definitions A B C DEFGHIJKLM NOPQRS TUVWXYZ Animism - The belief that natural phenomena or inanimate objects possess spirits. Bantu - A linguistic group (rather than an ethnic group) with about 800 distinct languages, including a number of mostly unresearched dialects, in sub-Saharan Africa. Chief - One who is highest rank in traditional authority. Mami Wata - In Central and West African pidgin, the name of a female water deity, generally also for extraordinarily beautiful women who are believed to embody qualities of Mami Wata. Mask - Whether covering only the head or the whole body, whether a naturalistic image or a strongly stylized form, masks are originally and universally regarded as representations of the greater powers. Monogamy - Marriage to only one person at a time. Notables - Advisors to the chief who may also perform religious rites. Polygamy - The condition of having more than one spouse at the same time. Secret Societies - Institutionalized associations of certain men (less frequently women) who possess a particular knowledge that must strictly be kept from outsiders, and who perform certain special tasks. Successor - A person who is chosen to succeed and take on the responsibilities of someone who dies. This person is usually the son of the person who dies. Tribe - Political associations of linguistically and culturally related groups with a common ancestry - that is, of several clans who usually inhabit a single territory and are connected by marriage, bartering, and other associations. Because of the autonomy of each clan, and even of lineage, in traditional societies, these connections are quite loose. Most definitions taken from: The American Heritage Dictionary, 3rd Edition. New York: Dell. 1994. Christoph, Henning., Soul of Africa, Magical Rites and Traditions. France: Konemann Verlagsgesellschaft 2000. TOP



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Last Updated 31 July, 2002