Henrietta NGONG CHUFI YOUTH and ACTION COUNSELLOR

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF YOUTH AND SPORTS INSTITUT NATIONAL DE LA JEUNESSE ET DES SPORTS ------

DIVISION DES SCIENCES ET DIVISION OF SCIENCES AND TECHNIQUES DE L’ANIMATION TECHNIQUES OF ANIMATION ------DEPARTEMENT D'ANDRAGOGIE DEPARTMENT OF ANDRAGOGY ------OPTION: EDUCATION POPULAIRE OPTION: MASS EDUCATION ------

THE EFFECTS OF MATRILINEAL SUCCESSION

IN YOUTH EMPOWERMENT IN KOM, BELO SUB-DIVISION, NORTH WEST REGION.

A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF A DIPLOMA IN SENIOR YOUTH AND ACTION COUNSELLING

BY Henrietta NGONG CHUFI YOUTH AND ACTION COUNSELLOR

SUPERVISOR COCOCO-CO ---SUPERVISORSUPERVISOR Dr. MOUSSA II TIFUH Reuben CHOH

SENIOR YOUTH AND ACTION PhD IN HISTORY SENIOR LECTURER IN THE COUNSELLOR DESS: ADMINISTRATION/MANAGEMENT FACULTY OF ARTS, LETTERS AND

SOCIAL SCIENCES HEAD OF DEPARTMENT, RECREALOGY, UNIVERSITY OF YAOUNDE I NIYS YAOUNDE

2012/2013 ACCADEMIC YEAR

TOTOTO

My parents Mr. and Mrs. NGONG NSOM

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Many people contributed to the realization of this work. I wish to render my profound gratitude to my supervisor, Dr. Moussa II, my assistant supervisor, Mr. Tifuh Reuben Choh, and Dr. Tamoufe who in spite of their numerous activities, created time to read and guide me throughout this systematic study. Their guidance, suggestions and encouragements greatly motivated me to work extremely hard. Special thanks go to the Director, the Deputy Director, my head of department and the rest of the administrative staff of the National Institute of Youth and Sports Yaounde for their sacrifices and efforts to provide me with professional training especially. I will also like to thank the officials of the Ministry of Arts and Culture who greatly contributed to the realisation of this work through their constant follow-up of the evolution of this research during my internship. I am greatly indebted to the Library officials of the Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovations as well as the Liberians of the Faculty of Arts, Letters and Social Sciences of the University of Yaounde I for their assistance. Sincere thanks go to some traditional and administrative authorities of Belo Sub-Division, Dr. Confidence Ngam, and all other Professors who greatly contributed to the realization of this research work. My heartfelt acknowledgments go to my wonderful family, my loving aunti Mrs. Frida Ngonain Neng, my elder sister and husband Mr. and Mrs. Asongwe, my younger sister, Liliane Ngong Fulai, and the entire NGONG’s family for their constant financial and moral support which spired me up in the realization of this work. In the same light, I would like to thank Mega Emmanuel Tule for his moral and financial support. Special thanks also go to my association members WACA (Women and Men’s Association for Cooperation and Animation), all my CPJA mates and friends who encouraged me throughout this research work.

ABSTRACT

This research piece sprang from the evidence that rapid economic growth can be instigated by youth’s active participation in community projects. « The effects of matrilineal succession in youth empowerment in Kom, Belo Sub-Division, North West Region », sought investigate the impact of matrilineal succession in the empowerment of youths in Kom. Accordingly, the main problem posed by this research work is the negative effects of matrilineal succession in youth empowerment and socio-economic development in the Kom community. Our study systematically proceeded through observational, documentary and opinion poll research procedures for data collection in order to verify the research hypotheses. The researcher made use of the qualitative and quantitative research instruments which are the interview guide and a general questionnaire respectively to sample the opinions of the stakeholders. After the analyses and interpretation of data, it was found out that there were negative effects of matrilineal succession in the empowerment of youths and the socio-economic development of the Kom community. In addition, it was revealed that despite the consequences of matrilineal succession in the Kom community, there had been little or no sensitization and education in relation to this. The stakes of matrilineal succession have become tremendous with socio-cultural and economic consequences not only in Kom but also to its victims out of Kom. Youth capacity building is very slow to this effect hereby frustrating any thoughts of development on the part of Kom youths in particular and Cameroon as a whole. Considering the above revelations, recommendations were made to the various stakeholders in view of reversing the negative effects of matrilineal succession. This research postulates civic education to reawaken the spirit of responsibility and hard work towards self reliance and development. Also, mass education programs with animators techniques, strategies of mobilization, sensitization, education of stakeholders towards a socio-cultural and economic impact of matrilineal succession in the youth empowerment was also proposed as youth workers` professional intervention. An Intervention project has also been proposed to this effect. The taking into consideration of these intervention strategies will go a long way to transform the negative effects of matrilineal succession in youth empowerment to positive effects.

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RESUME

La présente étude découle de l’évidence selon laquelle, la croissance économique peut être incitée par la participation active des jeunes dans les projets communautaires. Ce mémoire intitulé : « The effects of matrilineal succession in youth empowerment in Kom, Belo Sub- Division, North West Region » a pour objectif de montrer l’impact de la succession matrilinéaire dans le renforcement des capacités des jeunes de Kom. Ainsi, le problème posé dans cette étude est l’effet négatif que cette succession a sur le renforcement des capacités des jeunes et le développement socio-économique de la communauté Kom. Notre étude repose systématiquement sur les procédures d’observation, de documentation et d’enquêtes pour la collecte des données et la vérification des hypothèses. Le présent travail s’est servi des instruments de collecte de données qualitatives et quantitatives à savoir le guide d’entretien et le questionnaire pour la collecte des données de terrain. Suite aux analyses et interprétation des données, il a été constaté qu’il existe des effets négatifs de la succession matrilinéaire dans le renforcement des capacités des jeunes et le développement socio- économique de la communauté Kom. En plus, il a été constaté que malgré ces effets négatifs, il n’ya pas eu assez de sensibilisation a cet effet. Les enjeux de cette succession sont graves non seulement pour les jeunes de Kom mais aussi pour ceux qui l’apprennent pour la première fois. Le renforcement des capacités est lent à cet effet et freine les initiatives de développement des jeunes de Kom, en particulier et le Cameroun, en général. Considérant ces évidences, des recommandations ont été faites pour contrecarrer les effets négatifs, de la succession matrilinéaire. Cette recherche présente l’éducation civique comme technique majeure d’éveil de l’esprit de responsabilité et de travail pour l’auto emploi et le développement. Les projets d’éducation populaire avec l’utilisation des techniques d’animation, les stratégies de sensibilisation et de mobilisation pour l’éducation de la population Kom ont été proposés ainsi qu’un projet d’intervention de l’animateur. Ces stratégies vont transformer les effets négatifs qu’a la succession matrilinéaire sur le renforcement des capacités des jeunes de Kom aux effets positifs.

TABLE OF CONTENTS DEDICATION ------i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ------ii ABSTRACT ------iii RESUME ------iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ------v LIST OF TABLES ------ix LIST OF FIGURES ------x LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ------xi GENERAL INTRODUCTION 0.1. JUSTIFICATION AND CONTEXT ------2 0.2. SUBJECT OF STUDY ------3 0.3. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM ------4 0.4. RESEARCH QUESTIONS ------5 0.5. RESEARCH HYOTHESES ------5 0.6. DELIMITATION OF THE STUDY ------6 0.7. INTEREST OF THE STUDY ------6 0.8. OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF CONCEPTS ------8 0.9. METHODOLOGICAL APPROACH ------11 10. PLAN OF WORK ------11 CHAPTER ONE: BACKGROUND OF THE AREA UNDER STUDY 1.1. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE KOM ------13 1.1.1. HISTORY AND EVOLUTION OF KOM PEOPLE AND LINEAGE ------13 1.1.2. ADMINISTRATIVE AND SOCIO-POLITICAL HISTORY OF KOM ------14 1.1.3. ORIGIN OF MATRILINEAL SUCCESSION IN KOM ------16 1.2. GEOGRAPHICAL BACKGROUND AND ADVANTAGES TO KOM YOUTHS ------16 1.2.1. LOCATION AND RELIEF OF KOM ------17 1.2.2. VEGETATION AND SOILS ------19 1.2.3. POPULATION MOVEMENT ------19 1.3. ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL BACKGROUNDS OF KOM ------20

1.3.1. ECONOMIC BACKGROUND ------20 1.3.2. SOCIO-EDUCATIVE BACKGROUND ------22 1.3.3. SOCIO-CULTURAL BACKGROUND ------24 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1. EXPLANATORY THEORIES ------27 2.1.1. THE THEORY OF FUNCTIONALISM ------27 2.1.2. THE THEORY OF MODERNISATION ------29 2.1.3. THE THEORY OF MOTIVATION ------30 2.2. YOUTH EMPOWERMENT AND MATRILINEAL SUCCESSION ------31 2.2.1. ANALYSES OF THE MATRILINEAL SUCCESSION PRACTICE ------31 2.2.2. VIEWS ON MATRILINEAL SUCCESSION BY THE KOM LOCAL AUTHORITIES ------33 2.2.3. EFFECTS OF MATRILINEAL SUCCESSION ------34 2.3. A COMPARATIVE APPROACH OF MATRILINEAL AND PATRILINEAL SUCCESSION ------36 2.3.1. DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MATRILINEAL SUCCESSION AND PATRILINEAL SUCCESSION ------37 2.3.2. AN ASSESSMENT OF MATRILINEAL SUCCESSION ------38 2.3.3. THE CULTURAL IMPACT OF MATRILINEAL SUCCESSION AT THE LOCAL AND NATIONAL DIMENSIONS ------39 CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 3.1. RESEARCH PROCEDURES ------41 3.1.1. THE OBSERVATIONAL RESEARCH PROCEDURE ------41 3.1.2. THE DOCUMENTARY RESEARCH PROCEDURE ------42 3.1.3. OPINION SAMPLING RESEARCH PROCEDURE ------43 3.2. RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS ------44 3.2.1. DESCRPTION OF INSTRUMENTS ------44 3.2.2. JUSTIFICATION OF THE INSTRUMENTS ------47 3.2.3. VALIDATION OF INSTRUMENTS ------48 3.3. RESEARCH DESIGNS ------49 3.3.1. POPULATION OF THE STUDY AND SAMPLING ------49

3.3.2. ADMINISTRATION OF THE RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS AND DATA ANALYSES ------52 3.3.3. LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY ------54

CHAPTER FOUR: PRESENTATION, ANALYSES, AND INTERPRETATION OF FINDINGS 4.1. PRESENTATION, ANALYSES AND INTERPRETATION OF QUANTITATIVE FINDINGS ------58 4.1.1. HYPOTHESIS I ON THE ROLE PLAYED BY MATRILINEAL SUCCESSION IN DEVELOPMENT ------59 4.1.2. HYPOTHESIS II ON MATRILINEAL SUCCESSION AND SHORT COMINGS IN YOUTH EMPOWERMENT ------61 4.1.3. HYPOTHESIS III ON THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF YOUNG SUCCESSORS TO THE SOCIOECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF KOM ------63 4.2. ANALYSES OF QUALITATIVE FINDINGS ------66 4.2.1. THE ROLE PLAYED BY MATRILINEAL SUCCESSION IN DEVELOPMENT ------66 4.2.2. SHORTCOMINGS OF MATRILINEAL SUCCESSION IN YOUTH EMPOWERMENT IN THE KOM COMMUNITY ------67 4.2.3. CONTRIBUTIONS OF YOUNG SUCCESSORS TO THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE KOM COMMUNITY ------68 4.3. VERIFICATION OF THE RESEARCH HYPOTHESES ------69 4.3.1. VERIFICATION OF SPECIFIC RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS ONE ------69 4.3.2. VERIFICATION OF SPECIFIC RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS TWO ------70 4.3.3. VERIFICATION OF SPECIFIC RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS THREE ------71

CHAPTER FIVE: RECOMMENDATIONS, ROLE OF THE ANIMATOR AND THE ANIMATOR’S INTERVENTION PLAN (PROJECT) 5.1. RECOMMENDATIONS TO STAKEHOLDERS ------75 5.1.1. RECOMMENDATIONS TO YOUTHS AND PARENTS ------75 5.1.2. RECOMMENDATIONS TO YOUTH WORKERS AND EXTERNAL ELITES ------77

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5.1.3. RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GOVERNMENT AND THE TRADITIONAL AUTHORITIES ------78 5.2. THE ROLE OF AN ANIMATOR ------79 5.2.1. DEFINITION OF ANIMATION AND AN ANIMATOR ------80 5.2.2. THE ROLE OF AN ANIMATOR AS A DEVELOPMENT AGENT------81 5.2.3. THE ROLE OF AN ANIMATOR AS AN EDUCAATOR AND A FACILITATOR ------82 5.3. THE ANIMATOR’S INTERVENTION ------83 5.3.1. MOBILISATION AND SENSITISATION OF STAKEHOLDERS ------84 5.3.2. CAPACITY BUILDING OF STAKEHOLDERS ------87 5.3.3. PROFESSIONAL PROJECT ------89 GENERAL CONCLUSION ------100 REFERENCES ------105 APPENDIX ------109

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LIST OF TABLES

Table I: Percentage representation of the respondents by sex, educational level and religious

background ------58

Table II: Number and percentages of Respondents to Questions 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the general

questionnaire ------60

Table III: Number and percentages of respondents to questions 5, 6, 7, and 8 of the general

question ------62

Table IV: Number and percentages of respondents to questions 9, 10, 11, and 12 of the

general questionnaire ------64

Table V: Logical framework of our project ------93

Table VI: Plan of Action of our project ------96

Table VII : Oral Sources ------108

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1: Kom Layout ------18 Figure 2: Picture of the researcher finding out about the Kom culture ------73 Figure 3: Photo of some interviewed persons ------73

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMES

- AB.A.D.U: Abasakom Area Development Union

- B.A.D.U: Belo Area Development Union

- BO.D.U: Boyo Development Union

- C.A.P: Certificat d’Aptitude Professionnel

- C.P.M.S. Ltd : Co-operative Produce Marketing Society limited

- C.R.C: Convention on the Rights of the Child.

- D.O: Divisional Officer

- GCE A/L: General Certificate of Education, Advanced Level

- MIN.JEC: Ministère de la Jeunesse et de l’Education Civique.

- N.A.D.A: Njinikom Area Development Association

- N.I.Y.S: National Institute of Youth and Sports.

- Q: Question

- S.D.F: Social Democratic Front.

- S.T.A: Sciences and Techniques of Animation.

- U.N: United Nations ;

- Y.A.C: Youth and Action Counsellor

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

0.1. JUSTIFICATION AND CONTEXT Africa in general and Cameroon in particular is characterized by its numerous customs and traditions which sometimes push people to wonder aloud or be tongue tight. Cameroon’s cultural diversity is a great achievement as it portrays creative spirits. Culture basically is a way of life of a community. It is an assembly of knowledge, believes, rites, thinking, customs and other accepted habits acquired by members of a given society, Taylor (1889). In order for these communities to function properly, there exist leaders who are granted power and authority to rule either through appointments or inheritance. Nowadays, most communities hope in their youths for leadership and development considering the President of the Republic of Cameroon’s usual encouraging messages to the youths at the eve of every National Youth Day celebration. Additionally, according to the African Union Summit Report (2006), the youth bulge often known as the demographic bonus, is recognized as an opportunity to renew the world’s and indeed Africa’s social and economic capital. Sustainable growth is as much about human capital development as it is about economic growth, infrastructure and technology advancement. Young people’s energy, creativity, flexibility and adaptability to interface with the scope of change in the globalizing world are a recipe for steady sustainable development. However, this can only be realized through investments in education and skills in development, including sound early childhood development, care and nature offered by safe and supportive families and communities, opportunities for gainful employment, and platforms to engage and influence civic and political life. In fact, some Asian countries have used this demographic bonus optimally to ensure sustained economic development. The youth demographic bonus and the fact that most communities depending on their traditions, have devised means of attributing certain powers, rights and advantages to their youths in order to ensure good leadership and socio-economic development, the researcher in the quest for more knowledge on such leadership embarked on a studious journey titled “The effects of matrilineal succession in youth empowerment in Kom, Belo Sub-Division, North West Region” . The researcher intends to evaluate how matrilineal succession which is a traditional practice amongst the Kom people of Belo Sub-Division in the North-West Region of Cameroon, affects the empowerment and development of youths.

0.2. SUBJECT OF THE STUDY Each clan or ethnic group has certain cultural norms which are peculiar to them. These traditional practices are strictly followed for many reasons such as; respect, fear of their ancestor’s curse and identification amongst others. There exist traditional practices like: funeral ceremonies, matrilineal succession, patrilineal succession, enthroning leaders, initiation, traditional marriages, traditional dances and dowry. The above practices are done in different ways depending on the ethnic group. Matrilineal succession which is a rare traditional practice in Cameroon will be our point of interest in this research work. The Kom people of Belo Sub- Division in the North-West Region of Cameroon are one of the few tribes to practise this kind of succession which stirs up curiosity in most people. During migrations by the Kom people, and in accordance with traditional rulers, the Kom people deem it necessary for each member of their community especially youths to benefit from succession hereby favouring the maternal side of each family. In this case, it is not a Man’s son who inherits his property after his death but his maternal nephew. The Kom people think matrilineal succession is a way of empowering youths belonging to the lineage concerned and also giving these youths the opportunity to own and maintain other people’s property. For the Kom, this succession is a means of giving members of the family a chance of contributing to the rapid growth of their community. It is most at times considered as an additional bridge to development in the Kom community. Nevertheless, efforts are still being made by traditional leaders to use matrilineal succession as a master piece not only for development but for youth empowerment. Despite all these efforts, some indicators of underdevelopment are still visible in the Kom community. The subject of this research work is therefore to investigate the socio-economic effects of youth empowerment in Kom through matrilineal succession. Accordingly, this study intends to probe into the social and economic repercussions of matrilineal succession in youth empowerment and development in Kom. A scientific investigation of this subject of study is expected to reveal solutions to the various stakeholders in the development of the Kom community. Below are the main and specific objectives of the study.

- GENERAL OBJECTIVE The main objective of this research work is; To study the effects of matrilineal succession in youth empowerment in Kom.

- SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES Having seen the main objective of the study in the paragraph above, the specific objectives are as follows; - To examine the effects of the matrilineal succession in the development of Kom youths; - to study the short comings of matrilineal succession in youth empowerment in the Kom community; - to examine the contributions of young successors in the socio-economic development of their community.

0.3. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM It has been observed that matrilineal succession is a very rare traditional practice however, Kom is one of the tribes in Cameroon to practise this kind of succession. It has been noticed that in Kom, many youths are more concerned with the benefits offered by succession rather than what they can in turn offer for succession for future generations. Some youths are interested in matrilineal succession because they are unemployed or underprivileged, furthermore others are interested in it since they will be empowered through the benefits and the wealth. Moreover, some are just lazy and greedy as they wish their uncles dead so that they can become successors. The prevailing situation is a preoccupying social fact with developmental consequences. Such a situation is clearly portrayed by the slow developmental pace of the Kom community despite the increasing number of young successors in that community. The main problem at stake in this research work is therefore, the negative effects of matrilineal succession in youth empowerment and development in the Kom community. The problem is portrayed by the inability of these youths to participate in communal projects, foster their contributions to the social, cultural and economic development of their locality due to matrilineal succession. Considering the advent of decentralization by the Cameroonian government to promote local development, the negative energy surrounding youth empowerment through matrilineal succession is contrary to their exquisite developmental vision. This issue of matrilineal succession is therefore one of the stakes of youth empowerment and development in the Kom community today. Just like the president of the republic of Cameroon in his youth day speeches always refers to youths as the future leaders of the nation, these Kom youths can be given the opportunity to come up with great projects which can aid in facilitating development in all spheres of their community lives. The lives of young people across the World in general and

Africa in particular, are subject to a number of contradictions. It is estimated that about one hundred and twenty million young people are illiterate ( United Nations, 2005a), Youth unemployment is three times higher than that among adults, 60.7million young people in Sub- Saharan Africa, live on less than one dollar a day, and 120.1million live on less than one dollar a day (United Nations, 2005a). Millions of young people find themselves without recognized purpose of productive usage of their time. History bears testament to how this unchannelled energy can become a breeding ground for rebellion and civil strife (Cincotta, et al, 2003). Total fertility rate is high in Kom and subsequently the production of many male children leads to the zeal for more inheritance and empowerment. Being aware that youth empowerment is one of the approaches used by various communities to contribute to development, the Kom youths need to be put on the train. In order for these youths to strive towards development, their talents, skills, and abilities need to be efficiently oriented so as to escape the already existing abject poverty, and unemployment. The Kom youths therefore need to be mobilized, sensitized and educated on the relationship which exists between matrilineal succession and empowerment. 0.4. RESEARCH QUESTIONS Hard work, authority and power are the gate way to values like intergenerational equity, civic engagement and democracy building. However, given the diagnosis above, a fundamental question stroke the researcher.

- MAIN RESEARCH QUESTION: What are the effects of matrilineal succession in youth empowerment in Kom? - SPECIFIC RESEARCH QUESTIONS : - What is the role played by matrilineal succession in the development of Kom youths? - What are the shortcomings of matrilineal succession in youth empowerment in the Kom community? - How do the young successors in Kom contribute to the socio-economic development of their community?

0.5. HYPOTHESES In order to lay a foundation for the investigation of the problem stated above, the researcher came out with one general hypothesis and three specific research hypotheses.

- GENERAL RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS Youths are not empowerment in the Kom community through matrilineal succession.

- SPECIFIC RESEARCH HYPOTHESES - There is a significant role played by matrilineal succession in the development of Kom youths. - Matrilineal succession has severe shortcomings in youth empowerment in the Kom community. - Young successors in Kom significantly contribute to the socio-economic development of their community. 0.6. DELIMITATION OF STUDY Every research work has a number of restrictions which delimits the magnitude of the research. These restrictions are referred to as delimitation of the study. Here, we will trace the domain of this work and delimit the topic geographically and periodically. This research piece is restricted in scope to the theme of the effects of matrilineal succession in youth empowerment. It falls in the vast domain of the social sciences, specifically in the Sciences and Techniques of Animation (S.T.A). More precisely, it falls under Mass Education which is from the Department of Andragogy. As stated in the main theme, the matrilineal succession study will be limited within the Kom community of the Belo Sub-Division in the North-West Region of Cameroon. This geographical delimitation will ensure a proper exploration of youth empowerment through matrilineal succession. In like manner, it will explore the socio-economic and traditional factors behind the effects of matrilineal succession in youth empowerment. Periodically, the work is undertaken during the 2012-2013 academic year notwithstanding the fact that matrilineal succession and youth empowerment are gradually gaining grounds in the Kom community. Consequently therefore, this study is undertaken to probe into the phenomenon and to postulate solutions with the consideration of its effects on the development of Kom in particular and Cameroon in general. 0.7. INTEREST OF THE STUDY All scientific research works are done with the aim of acquiring new knowledge or seeking solutions to existing problems. This work is based on the postulate that a well planned strategy in orientating the effects matrilineal succession can have in youth empowerment will be better for

6 the socio-economic development of the Kom community in particular and Cameroon in general. The interest of this work will therefore be examined on the personal, scientific, professional and public perspectives, as well as from those of all different stakeholders. On a personal perspective, the researcher will use this work as a partial requirement for the award of a diploma in Senior Youth and Action Counseling (S.Y.A.C) from the National Institute of Youths and Sports (N.I.Y.S) Yaounde. Furthermore, in line with one of the Millennium Developmental goals in Cameroon by the year 2035 presented in the Goals and Employment Strategic Paper (GESP) realized in August 2009 which is: “Fight against extreme poverty”, this work will show the students’ contribution in the fight against poverty in Cameroon as a whole and in Belo Sub-Division in particular. Scientifically, the study will create an impact by exposing and exploiting the effects of matrilineal succession in youth empowerment and development in Kom. Alongside presenting Mass Education as one of the factors that can stimulate development in Kom, the work can also act as a stepping stone for the researcher to further her study in the quest for a post higher diploma in specialized studies. This approach can be of interest to the world of science given that, the study will respect the methodological procedure of scientific works. Furthermore this research is of great professional interest to the animator who is a social worker and an agent of positive change. He is hereby called upon to work hand in hand with the population of Kom so as to ensure their effective participation in nation building through matrilineal succession. For this to happen, they must be awakened on their responsibilities vis-à- vis the state. Hence, this study is of professional interest because it will serve as a working document for policy makers and Animators of the society. Moreover, the study is of great significance to the various stakeholders. To the traditional rulers, it will help to re-write the terms of matrilineal succession and youth empowerment. To the state, the research work will give them a glimpse of the existing situation and permit them adjust things due to the advent of Decentralization. The outcome of this study will also help the MINJEC, delegations and the councils to develop strategies which will reduce poverty and foster economic growth and development as well as encourage hard work, and individual efforts. Additionally, the research work will be of great interest to the public in the sense that it will postulate better strategies to manage youths and their achievements by encouraging them to stay back home and do wonders for their community. This means that their knowledge and abilities

7 will be used for the well-being of the entire community, thus ensuring the political, socio-cultural and economic development of Cameroon in general and Kom in particular. 0.8. OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF KEY CONCEPTS This section will be all about defining key concepts used in the work in order to give the reader a clear understanding of the contextual meaning. - Succession As for Radcliffe-Brown (1952), in conceiving succession in detailed terms defines it as the ‘transmission of rights in general’. Firth (1964) says that it is a ‘process of replacement with public recognition whereby titles, offices, authority, roles and other indicators of status are transferred from one person to another’. Firth makes Radcliffe-Brown’s definition more denotative. We may distinguish three types of succession to political office: hereditary, appointive, and elective. These are analytical categories because in an actual political system, two or even three types may be found. It is widely assumed that while hereditary succession is automatic, the other two types involve decisions or allows choice. In the Kom community, there exist two types of Radcliffe-Brown’s succession which are the hereditary and appointive because the successors are aware of the fact that they will succeed from birth (hereditary) and when an uncle eventually dies, the successor is chosen (appointive). In the same light, inheritance can be considered as a practise of passing on property, titles, debts, rights and obligations upon the death of an individual. It has long played an important role in human societies. The rules of inheritance differ between societies and have changed over time. The term is also used to refer to the passing of characteristics, for example, genetically or according to other rules. In modern law, the terms inheritance and heir refer exclusively to the succession of property from a deceased person. Future recipients of property through a will are termed beneficiaries, devisees, or legatees. As for Akem (2010), inheritance linked with Matrilineality means: matrilineal succession is a form of hereditary succession or inheritance through which the subject’s successor is traced back through the female relatives. Matrilineality in Kom means nephews succeed uncles and the young successor is attributed some powers to act for the good of the community ( empowerment). - Empowerment According to Kinlaw (1995), empowerment is a process which improves performance. It is not a process to improve freedom of choice or to further democratic principles. Empowerment means work, performance focus, team work, leadership and confident face to face

8 communication. It hereby means acknowledging good leaders, rewarding them, and making good use of human competence. As for Tifuh (2004), and Takawira (2000), Empowerment is etymologically related to ‘power’ but is quite close to effective participation. It is concerned with laying down the enabling conditions for the effective integration of people in the development process. As to what concerns youth empowerment, the researchers presents it according to their works as an attitudinal, structural and cultural process whereby young people gain the ability, authority, and agency to make decisions and implement change in their own lives and the lives of other people . Youth empowerment is often addressed as a gate way to intergenerational equity, civic engagement and democracy building. Considering Tifuh’s first apprehension of empowerment which is empowerment etymologically related to ‘power’, it will be important for us to know what power is all about considering the fact that the Kom youths are given some rights and powers to make certain decisions after succession. Perhaps the best way to approach the meaning of the term power as used in the context of Black Power Movement is to present one way in which variety of Black power advocates have attempted to define and develop a more elaborate definition of power. Stokely (1992) defines Power as the ability to define oneself and one’s relationship to the society and have that definition acknowledged by the society. When a youth is empowered through matrilineal succession; he is automatically a decision maker when it concerns community matters because succession is linked to empowerment in Kom. - Local Development Local development which is a key word used in this study is a center of interest nowadays and that is why it has many definitions. Mercoiret quoted by Issa (2006) defines local development as a dynamic process of mobilizing resources and local energy so as to ameliorate living conditions and potentials by creating, accumulating and distributing riches on a given territory and all these progressively controlled by all its inhabitants. Community development is defined by the Economic and Social Council of the United Nation’s report of 1981 as the process through which populations’ efforts are conjugated alongside those of government authorities so as to ameliorate economic, social and cultural conditions of communities, integrate these communities in the life of the nation and also permit them fully contribute to their country’s progress. Its in justifying this approach that Schuerkens (1995) says that once a society is engaged in a path of development which corresponds to its aspirations, needs as well as its social

9 and cultural values, should economic difficulties surface, this population will better endure and will go a long way to find necessary resources to overcome the situation. Local development initially requires the total participation and interaction of populations. To ensure this, populations need to assemble themselves in organized groups for instance Development Committees. The empowered successors in the case of Kom are suppose to spearhead local development. - Family Moreover, since this study treats issues of succession and the ways through which the succession comes about, the definition of a family will be worth knowing. A family according to Corbett (2004) is a social unit with people connected by natural genealogical links (most basically an ideally consisting of a father, mother and their children) or in a means which morally and legally replicates these natural genealogical links, such as adoption. It can also be considered as a wider group of people beyond a nuclear family with whom there is a genealogical link. The Kom tradition doesn’t only recognize the nuclear family as they pay more attention to the extended family which explains their matrilineal succession system. When a male adult dies, ownership of property including compound, wives and children, is transferred to his nephew who has to first of all be responsible for the family unit considering that it is from there that his power begins so as to be able to handle other community matters within his authority. - Effect According to the free encyclopedia (Wikipedia), effect in general is that which is produced by an agent or cause; the event which follows immediately from an antecedent called the cause, result, consequence, outcome, and fruit as the effect of luxury. This definition falls in line with our scientific quest in this study which is to underscore the outcome and consequences of matrilineal succession in youth empowerment. - Youth There are so many definitions of a youth depending on the context. Eyene (1998:21-22), says the definition of the concept ‘youth’ is very complex and varies according to nations, and traditions. The Ministry of Youth and Civic Education defines a youth as someone who is between the ages of 15 to 35 years. The United Nation’s Organization (U.N. O) on the other hand says a youth is someone ranging from 15 to 24years. In order to better understand the youth concept in our study, we will use biological, psychological, socio-economic and law institutions criteria. As such, we can define a youth biologically as an individual who has not yet attained

10 physical maturity. Psychologically, it is someone whose state of mind is different from that of an adult. Socio-economically, it is someone who is still dependent and according to law, it is an individual who hasn’t attained the voting age according to the Cameroon Penal code. Furthermore, the researcher in the same light with the U.N.O. and according to his scope of work defines a youth as someone from 15 to 24 years of age who is dynamic, physically strong, dependent, and above all creative. Such is the case with majority of successors in Kom and since they are strong and dynamic, hopes arise that they can contribute significantly to the development of Belo Sub-Division. 0.9 METHODOLOGICAL APPROACH The procedures used in this work are based on observational research, documentary research and opinion sampling to help collect and analyze data for conclusions. These procedures will help in the enlightenment of issues as they duel on research problems, questions and anticipated answers. Documentary research will be used by the researcher so as to permit her do a cross examination of the basics obtained after observation. It will provide a scientific base with further explanations upon which the study will be built for conclusions to be drawn. Data collection will be carried out via opinion polls. In our research methodological approach a sample of 160 persons from diverse social backgrounds will be used to acquire necessary data for the study. Also, some authorities of the Kom community will be interviewed. This will be done by the use of the questionnaire and the interview guide as main research instruments. It is from the opinion polls that conclusive findings will be made after analyses and interpretation of collected data. 10. PLAN OF WORK Aside from the general introduction which presents the various issues at stake notably the problem, the research questions and the research hypotheses, our research work will be divided into five chapters. Chapter one of the study deals with the background of the area under study while chapter two treats the theoretical framework and the literature review. Chapter three on the other hand dwells on the research methodology and the various procedures used in obtaining findings recorded in the work. Chapter four deals with the presentation, analyses and interpretation of findings, and chapter five is all about the summary, recommendations, and a project proposal. To round up the study, there will be a general conclusion.

CHAPTER ONE BACKGROUND OF THE AREA OF STUDY

This study on the effects of the practice of matrilineal succession in youth empowerment has as area of study the Kom community of the Belo subdivision in the North West Region of Cameroon. This chapter gives an overview of the Kom people in all aspects. In order to better analyze matrilineal succession and its effects on youth empowerment in Kom, the chapter will be divided into three sections which are the historical background of the Kom, the Geographical background and advantages to Kom youths, and the economic and social background.

1.1. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF KOM The history of this community is traced from the origin and evolution of the area. The administrative and political background as well as their long historical development can be said to be explanatory factors of matrilineal succession in Kom.

1.1.1. HISTORY AND EVOLUTION OF THE KOM PEOPLE AND LINEAGE The history of Kom people is a complex but interesting one according to oral and written tradition. The history of Kom people is based on information from Chilver, Kabery, and Nkwi (1976). Kom was founded by the sons and daughters of a certain powerful chief, Mbum who is believed to have come from Bornu around the Lake Chad region. He settled in the present day Adamawa region. After his death, conflicts erupted among his children and they separated each taking along some of their father’s subjects. After this was done, they set out in search of new lands. Some settled in the Ndobo plain in the Eastern Region of Cameroon and it is from there that the legend of the royal origin describes the first settlers to the Kom fondom. From here, the Kom people moved under the leadership of Manih. Their first stop-over was at Bamessi in today’s Ngoketunjia Division. Ngoh ( 1996) presents the Kom as belonging to the Tikar ethnic group. They left Ndobo to Bamessi, where they settled and expanded so much in population that it became a threat to other clans around them. The Bamessi chief got jealous and tricked the Kom chief. He told him that the male population of both Bamessi and Kom had to be controlled or else they might go to war and the peaceful relationship they shared will be destroyed. The Bamessi chief proposed to the Kom chief that two houses be constructed with one door to each and no window. One house was for the males of Kom and the other for those of Bamessi. The Bamessi chief put two doors in the house meant for his own active male population and in the house meant for the active male population of Kom, he put just one door. The two houses were to be set on fire and when this was done, the Bamessi male population escaped through the backdoor while

13 the Kom all died. Due to this trick, the Kom leader swore to avenge the death of his subjects. He planned with his sister Nandong to hang himself somewhere in the forest and that his body should be left to decompose and form a small pond full of fish, but on no occasion should the Kom’s remaining population join the Bamessi people to fetch fish from there. When the Bamessi people scrambled for fish from the pond, they died and the Kom people assembled at the spot and were led to the Promised Land by the track of a python who is believed to be their dead leader. Nkwi (1987) explains that Nandong and the rest of the Kom people followed the python’s track. The python led them to Djottin, in today’s Bui division, then to Din. At Din Nandong’s granddaughter got married to the chief of the area whom the Kom people referred to as ‘Bo’. They had a son and named him Jina-Bo. He is said to have been the first ruler of the Kom. From Din, the python led Nandong and her group to Ajung and finally to Laikom, the present traditional head quarters of the Kom fondom. From here, Jinabo began his expansionist policy. Fon Yuh was the next ruler after Jinabo. The fondom’s strength both militarily, demographically and economically is said to have attracted many other chiefdoms who sought their protection. Fon Yuh (1856-1912), was the seventh ruler on this territorial amassment. As a young man and a great soldier, his mother’s brother Foynkineng appointed him as his representative in the southern sector of Fuli. The present fon of Kom is Vincent Yuh II. The name ‘Kom’ was founded in the 19 th century. From the Kom people’s history above, we can deduce that youth empowerment was influenced by some of the challenges faced by the Kom people during their movements. Throughout their movements, they had powers and attracted many other chiefdoms. An exquisite presentation of the effects of matrilineal succession in the empowerment will help situate the Kom youths in our present day’s development context.

1.1.2. ADMINISTRATIVE AND SOCIO-POLITICAL HISTORY OF KOM The power structure in Kom consists of traditional rulers and government representatives. The traditional rulers are the Foyn , the Kwifoyn , Quarter heads, administrative officers, ( Nchindo, Nchinto,Wayndanto ), priests and leaders of prestigious associations(Chong, Akum, Njong ). Succession to most of these offices (kingship, chiefship, village headship, and priestly offices) is based on descent, or on the dogma of descent. The fon ensures that their traditions and customs are not adulterated by western acculturisation. Traditionally, Kom like other fondoms in the grass field is characterized by a centralized system of administration. This System of governance has

14 led to the emergence of political institutions in the traditional headquarters of Laikom which is the traditional administrative seat of Kom because it is where the king ‘Foyn’ and the regulatory society ‘Kwifoyn’ reside. ‘Kwifoyn’ is a regulatory society which according to Nkwi ( 1982) was introduced by late Fon Kumabong in the late 18 th century. It is headed by a Bobe Kwifoyn and is composed of retainers ‘Nchisendo’ It is divided into five lodges namely Kwifoyn, Ntu’u, NdoNgves, Nko’o,Mobu and Agu’o who facilitate the king’s leadership Nkwi and Warnier (1982). The structural pattern of the central ruling body ‘Kwifoyn’ is suggestive of its functions and is assisted by specialized organs like ‘Nhong’ and ‘Ndo-nchung’. These organs are found in the villages and try cases of witchcraft, announce impending danger in the markets or at death celebrations. Membership into these prestigious clubs is strictly for men with a certain status. Only nobles are initiated into this corporate body because of their political nature. ‘Kwifoyn’ assists the village head (bo-nté) and it enjoys a large measure of constitutional independence. The village head is either appointed or comes to power through inheritance (Nkwi 1982). Administratively, Kom serves as a divisional and sub-divisional unit. It has some administrative headquarters like the Divisional Office (D.O), the Sub-Divisional Office (S.D.O), and the Mayor’s office. The Belo rural council is headed by a Mayor. There is a customary court, forces of law and order which are responsible for settling disputes. The Kom people are not really interested in political issues but the few interested people belong to both the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (C.P.D.M), and the Social Democratic Front (S.D.F). They pay more attention to their traditional practices. With the advent of decentralization, the members of the Kom community have to join forces with their local government to work towards their own development. This therefore makes the local rulers responsible for their subjects and their community. Since successors have an important role to play in the Kom traditional hierarchy, it is left for them to use these powers virtue upon them alongside the other senior rulers in order to ensure peace and prosperity in the area. The administrative authorities are at the summit of leadership in Kom to a greater extent. This means some laws and decisions are initiated by them. The culture of matrilineal succession dating back to the days of old was instituted and accepted by some local authorities who transmitted this culture to the indigenous Kom population at that time making it indispensable in the leadership of the present day administrative authorities.

1.1.3. ORIGIN OF MATRILINEAL SUCCESSION IN KOM.

Nkwi (1976), in his work explains the Kom’s matrilineal succession. According to him, some patrilineal people of the North West Region as well as the Kom people claim a Tikar Ndobo origin. These people comprise the chiefdoms of Nso, Bafut, Kom, Mbem-nsungli, Bum, Fungom, as well as all Ndop chiefdoms. Of all of these, only Kom and a few chieflets in Kom are matrilineal. These tribes fall within the same cultural area and they have oral traditions which seem to show their common origin. The Kom were patrilineal like the others but later changed to matrilineal institutions after they break away from the parent stock. An oral tradition taken amongst the Tikar seems to illustrate the origin of Kom’s matrilineal succession. During the Kom people’s exodus, their King took two wives. The sons of these two wives were excluded from the line of succession because they were not of the King’s blood. The Kom decided to choose their leader from amongst the sons of one of the king’s sisters. Nkwi rounds up by saying, that the Kom adopted matrilineal succession because of the unity amongst the people. Ngwikou (1966) in his work on the way of life of the Kom, traces matrilineal succession from the Kom leader at the time. When the Kom leader and his people settled in Idien for sometime during their trek, he married an Idien lady who begot a son. Later on when they travelled to Kom and finally settled at Laikom, this old fon wanted the son he begot with the Idien lady to rule after him but his sisters could not tolerate a foreigner on the Kom throne. Thus the fon’s son could not become the fon but rather the child of the fon’s sister. The fon’s decision influenced inheritance in Kom from that day till today. Matrilineal succession gives certain powers to successors as they are suppose to unite families, improve the state of acquired benefits for the benefit of future generations and also unite the community. he origin of matrilineal succession is to an extent centered on the need to give youths the opportunity to express themselves through the acquisitions they gain. Youth empowerment therefore is as old as humanity.

1.2. GEOGRAPHICAL BACKGROUND AND ADVANTAGES TO KOM YOUTH Kom which falls under Boyo division is a small West African kingdom situated in the central highlands of the North West Region of Cameroon. It has an area of 280 square miles and occupies a high mountain terrain having an average height of 5000m above sea level. Its capital is Laikom, with Fundong as its administrative headquarters. Kom has an approximate population of

16 about 300,000 people. The fondom which represents Boyo division has 42 villages and three Sub-Divisions which are; Belo, Fundong and Njinikom. Such a demarcation was respected during the creation of administrative units in 1992. Belo Sub-Division which is the researchers’ area of study has a population of about 80,000 people. The villages found in Belo sub-division are 19 in number and their names are; Acha, Achin, Afua, Anjin, Anyajua, Baicham, Baingo, Belo, Djichami, Fuli, Jinkfuin, Kitchu, Mbesa, Mbingo, Mejang, Mejung, Ngemsibo, Njinikejem, Sho. To the North, the Kom fondom shares boundaries with Aghem and Bafmeng (both in Menchum division). To the South, it shares boundaries with Bafut, Babanki and Ndop chiefdoms while to the East, it shares boundaries with Oku and Nso (in Bui division). Furthermore, the Kom presentation shall be done under relief, climate, vegetation and soil. For a better geographical presentation, the Kom community shall be further divided into location and geographical features, vegetation and soil and finally population movement.

1.2.1. LOCATION AND RELIEF OF KOM As to what concerns its relief, in the words of Evans (1926) “the whole country is extremely rugged and broken with rolling uplands…intersected with rich fertile valleys in which the majority of the inhabitants live.” To the North and West of Kom, is a table with a good number of settlements, to the South, an abrupt escarpment in a narrow valley followed by a succession of hills, and to the East, another chain of hills rising gradually and meeting with the Boyo ranges before finally disappearing into the Oku forest. The climatic conditions are varied. The area lies within the tropical climate and has a two- seasonal year following the climate of the high savanna belt (Chilver 1967). The rainy season lasts for about 8 months as it begins in mid-March and stretches to early October. Rainfall is heaviest during the months of August and September and has an annual rainfall exceeding 2000mm, and varies at times due to climate change. During this season, no significant temperature differences are recorded between day and night. Hills and other areas at high altitudes are usually covered by mist at night and just before and after heavy rainfall. The dry season is characterized by harmathan. Mean annual temperatures lie between 14°C and 30°C. The nights are very cold. The season lasts for 4 months and occurs between November and March. Kom as a whole has moderate temperatures. A close look at the geographical features shows that, empowered youths through have to understand the relief of Kom, its climatic conditions so as to be able to know the periods they can

17 exploit in order to intervene in developmental projects that will be beneficiary to them. Considering the varying climatic conditions projects are sometimes disrupted. Also the long rainy season most often hinders the advancement of youth projects. However, the moderate temperatures affects empowered youths as it permits th em expand their horizons especially through the construction of average living structures. Accompanying the difficult topography is the issue of acquiring and land that goes with too many succession conflicts. In the course of these conflicts, the intelle ctual and skilled labour prefers to emigrate to more favourable geographical environments. This without doubts has a great negative influence on youth empowerment and especially through matrilineal succession

Figure 1 : Kom Map

Source: Belo Rural Council

1.2.2. VEGETATION AND SOILS Kom has luxuriant vegetation. Its vegetation is savannah shrub made up of grass and plants. It has rivers that fertilize the soil for their crops to grow. Their soil is very fertile for the growing of crops, trees and fruits. In Belo Sub-Division, four types of vegetation can be distinguished: the montane forest, domesticated submontane landscape, shrub savannah with terminalia glaucescens and semi deciduous forest with sterialiaceae and ulmaceae colonizing. The domesticated sub montane vegetation makes up the greatest vegetation type found within the area Nkwi (1976). It is found in the center part and the extreme north eastern part of Belo Sub- Division. The shrub savannah with terminalia forest can be found in the Ijim/Kilum Mountain and Mejang area. Gallery forests can be observed in the Mugho/Mulong river valleys. In Ndawara, part of the vegetation has also been cleared to make room for a tea plantation. The Kom community is dominated by tropical sandy clay, ferruginous and sticky reddish-brown soil. Generally, most soils of this area are formed from trachyte and patches formed on basalt and granite with a low PH value (acid soils) 4.5 to 5.5 and phosphorus fixation. In some areas, concretion of lateritic material (iron and aluminum oxide) hardens rock-like substance usually referred to as “hard pan” or “cuirass”. The vegetation presented above favours agricultural production. The available fertile land is most often disputed by youths due to succession. Faced with the unemployment problem in Cameroon in general and Kom in particular, the youths who cannot gain employment and who also don’t have anything to succeed, are forced to move in search of greener pastures. The effect here is that most often, those who migrate are those whose profiles and skills are indispensable for the socio-economic development of the community. The outcome of youth empowerment is a mild socio-economic development which has a great impact on the living standards in Kom. 1.2.3. POPULATION MOVEMENT Population movement is the movement of people in and out of a given geographical area. It is an important factor for the growth and decline of a region or national populations. As for Gwan (1982), two main types of this population migratory movements can be distinguished in Cameroon; namely internal and external movements. However, for the purpose of this study, the internal and external movement of the Kom is worth noting. There are a number of migratory movements which include migration from one region to the other, rural exodus and transhumance. Inter-regional movements are characterized by

19 migration from areas of low economic opportunities to those of greater economic opportunities. Greater among this type of movement is the one originating from Belo where the Kom people are highly represented. The migrations of the Kom people started as far back as the 16 th century with their quest for greener pastures, peace and their own territory. The movements were as follows within Cameroon; from Bornu around the lake Chad region, to Ndobo plain in the eastern region of Cameroon, to Ngaoundere present day’s Adamawa Region, to Bamessi and finally to Kom. While in Kom, most of the youths continued moving to other regions in Cameroon. Also associated with this internal movement was rural exodus. It was closely associated with the process of urbanization and had as causes the search for a better life-style and education. External movements also known as international movements are the migration of individuals from one country to another. Some Kom youths emigrated to neighboring African countries as well as Europe, the United States and Japan. There were regular movements to countries of the former colonial masters, France, Britain, but in recent years, there have been increased movements to countries such as USA, Belgium, and Italy for studies in courses not offered in local academic institutions. However, upon graduation, the majority of these intellectuals and professionals do not return to the country thereby posing a serious effect on the socio-economic development of Kom in particular and Cameroon in general. The geographical background of the Kom community shows that the area is averagely fertile for agriculture. However, if her human resources can be retained from emigrating from the country, it will be able to develop good plans and sensitize the citizens of this area on the proper and responsible usage and management of their land. The proper apprehension of empowerment through matrilineal succession has to be reviewed in order to avoid the constant drainage of human resources and skilled labourers to the outside world. 1.3. ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL BACKGROUNDS OF THE KOM The Kom community has many different economic activities that can be divided into four major categories. 1.3.1. ECONOMIC BACKGROUND Kom has a mixed economy that comprises of farming, small scale stock farming and petit trading. Farming is the main occupation for a majority of Kom people. The agricultural production is largely in the hands of women who produce enough food to satisfy local needs. Men assist in the clearing of farm plots, hunting and in the harvesting of crops. Unfortunately, the

20 cultivation of crops for local consumption is regarded as an obligation for women. Males contribute in the cultivation of cash crops rather than food crops. What cannot be produced in farms can be bought in the local markets. The crops they commonly grow are; maize (zea mays), guinea corn (sorghum vulgare), native carrots (coleus dazo), vegetables, sweet potatoes(ipomoea batatas), cassava (manihotutilissima), beans, rice, groundnuts, okro, egussi, irish potatoes yams (dioscoreadumetorum) and cocoyams (colocasiaantiquorum). Amongst them, maize forms the stable diet and is cultivated twice a year, in August ‘njoinsi’ and around mid-March ‘mbeng’. The production of this crop above subsistence level has been encouraged by the numerous feasts that characterize the Kom calendar. The Kom people are usually very modest and hospitable because this is essential for prestige. Much importance is accorded maize because all feasts (marriages, births, and death celebrations), involve the consumption of ‘khatti-khatti’ which is their traditional meal in great quantities. Maize is also used for the production of corn beer known as ‘nkang’ which is also used for entertainment during feasts and as a source of income. Among the tree crops grown in Kom are bananas, kola nuts, raffia palm, mangoes, plantains, peers, paw-paw, and sugar cane. In the past, kola was a very important cash crop but has today been replaced by coffee (mainly the Arabica variety) which forms in Nkwi’s words, the ‘soul’ of the Kom economy today. This cash crop is said to have been introduced in Kom by the Foyn Jinabo II who brought it from Bamum. In Kom, co-operative societies exist in the principal villages whose central union (Kom area co-operative union) employs over seven hundred (700) workers in its mill and headquarters at Wombong. This has helped to stop the migration of young men into big towns in search of jobs. Kom produces over one thousand six hundred (1, 600) tons of Coffee for export. This crop has considerably increased the social and economic condition of the people. Its cultivation greatly increased in 1952 when the first co-operative society was established under the name of Bikom co-operative produce marketing society limited (CPMS Ltd). The Dutch missionary, reverend father Underwater, then parish priest at Njinikom encouraged the Christians to grow coffee. This co-operative is situated at Wombong with depots at Belo and Fundong. Livestock rearing is not a major activity in Kom for it consists in raising poultry, goats and cattle. Traditionally, each family or household owns its own goats, sheep and poultry since these are very essential for ritual and social events. Some Kom people have started raising rabbits and pigs. The Fulani cattle rearers who live a semi-permanent existence in the area rear cows, a lucrative source of income for the local government. Cattle owners pay what is

21 known as Jangali tax. Cattle rearing which engages less than 10% of the total working population is limited to a few regions around Fundong and Belo sub division. The aim of household stock- breeding is in two folds; to satisfy the family’s demand for meat and ensure that certain traditional rites are performed with the dignity custom demands. The entertainment of in-laws, the welcoming of important guests and friends, the payment of admission into certain traditional societies, the provision of meat for feasts and death celebrations are some of the requirements that demand a certain degree of stock rearing in families. Trading and local specialization are some of the features of Kom economy. There are locally trained bricklayers, carpenters, tailors and shoe makers. Petit trading is another aspect. Most trading articles are obtained in the nearest major towns, Mankon, most of which are brought from Nigeria and from Douala, the principal ports of Cameroon. Weaving and pot making are not widely known in the area but a supply of these articles come from the Ndop chiefdoms to the South-East. Hunting is only practised in the dry season when there is no major agricultural activity. There are wine tappers who tap the raffia palm strands found around Kom. The raffia palms also provide building and weaving material. There are a few credit institutions in Belo subdivision which help the indigenes to save their average earnings from their petit trade. There are also institutions for money exchange like Express Union, Toproc, Moneygram, which help the Kom people to do money transfers from kom to other areas. Carving seemed to have been highly developed. There were centers or schools which produced doorways, roof supports, human and animal masks. Kom productions of carvings have stylistic and thematic similarities with other grass field carvings. One of the most famous schools of carvers was the one founded and directed by foynYu . After a cross examination of the areas’ economy by the researcher, she observed that the above has a growing impact on youths. Due to the scarcity of jobs and infrastructure, some of the youths turn to desire what their uncles have already achieved. While some get rich through inheritance, some get discouraged and leave the place hereby making youth empowerment through matrilineal succession a point of interest in this research work. 1.3.2. SOCIO-EDUCATIVE BACKGROUND The Kom community has always had intellectual minds and skilled professionals who have greatly contributed to the development of Kom in general and Belo sub-division. In the areas of education and health, Kom is provided for. There is a school in every village with some villages counting up to two schools. There are over 50 primary schools in the whole fondom.

About 36 of them are owned and operated by the religious organizations, Baptist, Roman Catholic and Presbyterian churches. The rest of them are owned by the government. Belo Sub- Division also has a great number of secondary schools owned by the government and the private sector which ensure quality education for the youths of Kom. These schools have a good number of well trained teachers. These schools include; Saint Bede’s College Ashing, Baptist Comprehensive High School Njinikejem, Government Bilingual High School Belo, Government Technical College Njinikejem, Acha Baptist College amongst others. The community also has libraries which serve as references in cases of need for interested youths and adults. There is a school for the blind in the Belo Sub-Division financed by the private sector. There are also vocational schools for the youths who are not comfortable with formal education. Considering the few but expensive schools in Kom, some youths are not opportune or have no means of educating themselves due to their poor backgrounds. Analyzing the socio-educative background of Belo, the creation of educational structures are insufficient making the youths leave under the pretext that they are going for further studies but hardly come back. Some youths don’t even care about education as they know they will obviously inherit property. The educated youths who feel cheated often migrate alongside their intellectual skills which are highly needed for the development of the Kom community. Kom as seen in the present day shows diminishing standards of education and the absence of higher institutions of learning and professional training. In this perspective, education and sensitization will come in to reinforce the solutions to the youth empowerment through matrilineal succession. This will also trim the long tails of the empowered youths who have little or nothing to offer in the domain of community building and development. Kom has many beautiful man-made and natural touristic sites. The natural sites include waterfalls in Njinikejem, Mbingo and Baingo. Man made sites include the fon’s palace and some old German buildings, the Mughom bridge built by the Germans, Mifacig at Njinikijem, Ijim mountain amongst others. These touristic sites also contribute to increase revenue in the area. The carving ‘AfoKom’ is also a statue many people like to see because of the myth surrounding this ‘god’. Kom has good hospitals like the Mbingo and Njinikom hospital. It also has hotels in Belo and Fundong which serve as a lodge for visitors. There are 15 health and dispensary centers.

1.3.3. SOCIO-CULTURAL BACKGROUND The history of the Kom people has shown how they migrated from one place to another, and how they were tricked by the Bamessi ruler. This made them wise and instilled a strong bond of solidarity among members of the group hereby making them to create their own laws, respect one another and preserve their cultural heritage for future generations. The Kom people speak ‘Itangikom’ which like many other grassfield languages of the North West Region is of the Bantu family. This language is spoken by the people of Kom proper. Those from the tributary chiefdoms speak dialects of ‘itangikom’. Kom has traditional practises like Juju dances, annual traditional dances, ‘ndowi’(dowry), matrilineal succession, enthronement of leaders, ‘chengIkfi (death celebrations), ‘atchi-e-weh’(market days), and feast days. Kom also has self reliant developmental organizations like Belo Area Development Union (BADU), Njinikom Area Development Association (NADA), Abasakom Area Development Union (ABADU), and Boyo Development Union (BODU) amongst others. All these associations have as main aim to promote and preserve their cultural heritage. Kom is noted for the production of utensils, carvings, masks, traditional attires, statues, pipes, farm tools and furniture as well architectural occupations. A few specialists in pottery and basketry produce pots and baskets but a greater supply comes from the neighboring chiefdoms of, Bamunka, Bamessi and Baba. Smithing, once a prestigious and lucrative occupation is no longer practised. These artistic objects enable them earn money and makes money circulate because of the growing number of foreigners who visit the area for business, touristic purposes or internship. The kom people were known as itinerant black-smiths who ‘exchanged iron hoes for cloth with Tiv people in Nigeria’ Bruens (1942-45: 827), cf. Jeffreys (1952: 49), Van Bleism (1967:29). Some sports activities practised by Kom youths include football, basketball and handball. The sporting facilities are inadequate in schools. It is very important to improve the quality of infrastructure in the city and there is an urgent need to sensitize the population on the importance of sports to health. As a result of the absence of public gardens, cinema halls, a few bars serve as the best leisure places for the Kom youths and adults. There are many lovely old buildings in Kom mostly built by retired civil servants and foreigners. Kom has three post offices, internet services, and telephone Orange/ MTN network services. Observations can be made from the socio-cultural background, that Kom is rich in culture and people. The efforts made by hard working Kom inhabitants are exploited by successors after

24 their death. It is rather unfortunate that most of these young successors rather get excited over what they succeed and relent their efforts in the continuity of construction making the area dormant. This culture of matrilineal succession is apparently having a negative role in youth empowerment and in the development process of Kom people in general and youths in particular.

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

This chapter analyses the review of ideas in related topics under matrilineal succession and youth empowerment and is divided into three main sections. The first section presents some explanatory theories, the second treats youth empowerment through matrilineal succession, and the third a comparative approach between matrilineal succession and patrilineal succession.

2.1. EXPLANATORY THEORIES This section of the study is made up of explanatory theories which will help in understanding and analyzing certain socio-economic and educative facts. The theories analyzed here are the theories of Functionalism, the theory of Motivation and the theory of Modernization.

2.1.1. THE THEORY OF FUNCTONALISM The functionalism theory states that the society is a totality of many functional constituents’ elements such as institutions, norms and traditions that interrelate amongst each other. It views, the society as being a state of dynamic equilibrium where a change in one of its constituent elements will force the whole society to undergo a change in order to establish a new balance (Encarta, 2010). According to Spencer (1996), this theory is out to explain the sub-part of the society by comparing it to that of a human organism where each part plays a specific role of complementing the other, thus necessitating the system of functioning in harmony. Jarvie (1973) saw the theory as one which analyses and examines the social significance of phenomena, which is the role they play in a particular society and in maintaining it a whole assembly. Functionalism is thus, a social scientific theory advocated by sociologists and anthropologists in the early 20 th century. It was brought forth by Bronislaw Malinowski (1884- 1942) and Radcliffe Brown (1881-1915) and was from the inspirations drawn from the works of Emile Durkheim. Malinowski (1994) acknowledged that people have psychological needs (reproduction, food and shelter) and the social institution existing to produce for these needs. According to him, rules and regulations must be put in place in order to aid organize relationships and interactions between members of the society. For this view, the organizations of the society (political, economic, family and education), system must contribute to the development of the society. For the society to be stable, each part or institution must complement the other. In this perspective, the highly talented skilled youths who are not opportune to be empowered through matrilineal succession are suppose to collaborate with the other sub-parts of the community as

27 explained above to drive the Kom community to socio-economic development in order to become an emerging economy for their own good in particular and Cameroon in general. Radcliffe (1952) a promoter of this theory based his focus on socio-structural needs, while Malinowski saw the society as an assembly of institutions with orderly sets of relationships whose function is to maintain the society as system, he suggested that the society is rather a system of relationships maintaining itself through cybernetic feedbacks. In clever terms, functionalism seeks to explain that a phenomenon “X” can only exist because of “Y”. This is to say a social phenomenon has to be built within the social level. Hence individuals are replaceable and transient occupants of the social rules. This can however be effective only if the society creates conducive structures for interactions between its various members. For this to be better achieved, specific roles that can foster interactions and the discoveries of talents embedded in the different members of the society must be spelt out. It is important to note here that according to functionalism, a society is in-functional if something cannot have an influence on the other. Melton (1957) strongly opposes the affirmation that things exist in the society because they have a function to play in the whole social structure, which makes the theory to appear as a defense to a systematic status.quo. He believes that several elements can fulfill the same function in the society, as well as other elements can perform several functions. However, despite the opposition, the theory of functionalism remains one of the principal theories in social sciences, with the following characteristics: - Each society is made up of an original culture which forms a coherent and integrated assembly in which each of the elements of the culture has a clear-cut function which is indispensable for the whole society/system. - Understanding the interconnectedness of all the cultural and social elements of the system, this fulfils a sociological function. The social and cultural elements are interdependent, - Understanding a particular item by identifying its function in a contemporary operation of the culture. That is to say, there is a necessity of functions. This means that the role of the society and its different elements in the system is indispensable for the satisfaction of needs. Considering the fact that for the Kom community to attain a certain level of development, all its indigenes must be galvanized. This theory has driven the researcher to draw a conclusion

28 concerning matrilineal succession and youth empowerment. The role of the population, associations, development partners, civil societies and above all, empowered youths through matrilineal succession cannot be neglected in the development of Kom. Young skilled successors as well as other talented youths who do not benefit from succession have an important role to play in the development of the community. Therefore, the evasive attitude of some young successors and some young intellectuals in development issues is causing a serious malfunctioning in the economy; its struggle of socio-economic development remains a dream as can be portrayed by the abject poverty and prevailing misery.

2.1.2. THE THEORY OF MODERNISATION The modernization theory is a theory of development which underscores development and under-development as the result of internal conditions that differ between economies. It states that development can be achieved following developmental processes that were used by the current developed countries. To this effect, scholars like Walt (1960), and Organski (1965) postulate the stages of development applicable to every country. Samuel (1991), considers development as a linear process which every country must go through while Walter (1982) notes that development in the human society is a many-sided process with different aspects such as: - Physical development which includes man-made goods produced by the use of technology, - Cultural development which includes the values, norms, and tradition of the society, and - Personal development which is comprised of the psychological directing of individuals. This theory is of interest to this research work, since it seeks to explain that there are many stages and processes for every country to pass through in the development process. So for Cameroon to reach the stage of the development nations, its human capital resource is greatly required to drive the country to optimal socio-economic development. Therefore, they should be patient and should develop Cameroon to be what they want it to be instead of emigrating to countries that at one time were at the same development stage as Cameroon. The modernization theory is strongly in contrast to the classical liberalism theory, and it views the state as a central actor in modernizing “backward” or “underdeveloped” societies. Talcott (1978), defines qualities that distinguish “modern” and “traditional” societies, and

29 according to him, education was regarded as the key to creating modern individuals. Technology also plays a key role in this development theory because it was believed that as technology was introduced to lesser-developed countries, it would spur economic growth. This is illustrated with the Chinese and Japanese economies where education and technology have generated meaningful economic growth. David (1998) is a promoter of this theory. He has devoted his efforts not so much as a sheer theory but rather as set of powerful propositions of the direction of the world’s history. This paragraph of the theory of modernization falls in line with this study because education and technology are very vital for the socio-economic development of the Kom community. The constant negligence and adaptation to old models after succession renders the economy weak and thus doomed to underdevelopment. The constant dependency on succession for empowerment renders youths less creative and adamant to the constant changes of the society. This view of the modernization theory is very instrumental for the Kom community. The young empowered successors have to use all the abilities and knowledge they have to make Kom evolve rapidly through the stages of development to reach the desired socio-economic growth. The fortunate and skilled empowered human resources are needed to educate the younger generation who require knowledge that can enable them enter the technology industry. These technical skills will help bring about innovative ideas and create many industries to absorb the youths and will cure the problem of unemployment thereby limiting the country’s reliance on developed countries for goods that can be produced internally. So to say, if the exceedingly skilled persons and intellectuals do not migrate out of the country, the country’s socioeconomic development will be speeded up and the dream of becoming an emerging country in 2035 will be realized.

2.1.3. THE THEORY OF MOTIVATION According to Grawitz (2001:436) motivation is defined as “a state of dissociation and tension that stimulates an organism up to the point that the tension is reduced and the organism recovers its integrity”. This process regulates the engagement of an organism to a precise activity. The idea of stimulating an organism to react towards a certain direction determines the element that sustains the dynamism. This notion is completely different from dynamism or the fact of simply being active. Motivation represents the elements that stimulate the response perceived in the attitude and the behavior of an individual in a group or groups. It is therefore a psychological process, which is at the origin, orientation and the putting in place of a behavioural pattern in

30 relation to a situation at hand. It is based on the fact that, man has the free will to choose or not to choose to react. His actions are directed towards an objective whether he is conscious or not. Motivation is thus an assembly of reasons that explain an act of an individual or a group. It is of primary character when it is destined to the satisfaction of the basic needs of an individual. As a result, Rivaleau (2003) believes that, the activity is determined by his personality, his social role, his immediate environment, people’s work, habits and ideas. According to Aubert (1998,163- 171), “Man is independent in his action”, thus he says “the human trajectory is determined by the satisfaction of his needs, man is therefore instinctive, biological and fundamental such that any behavior is determined by the search for satisfaction of their fundamental needs”. According to this theory, one will be forced to satisfy these fundamental needs. These needs are both of the higher needs and of lower needs. Higher needs such as social esteem are of no importance if these basic needs to ones existence are not satisfied. Lower-order needs like safety and physiological requirements have to be satisfied in order to pursue higher-level motivators along the lines of self-fulfillment. Maslow’s pyramid of needs gives a clear view to the fact that once a need is satisfied, it stops being a motivator thus making way for a need ranked higher. The motivation theory in this study is to explain and bring out a clear understanding of the attitude and behaviour adopted by the young successors of Kom towards their own local development. The fact that these Kom youths are privileged to gain from succession and considering matrilineal succession as a motivation for their empowerment, is more of negative stimulation for sustainable development. Matrilineal succession is as old as the history of the Kom people and since it is a source of motivation for youth empowerment, youths are supposed to demonstrate the development abilities due to this situation. 2.2. YOUTH EMPOWERMENT AND MATRILINEAL SUCCESION In this part of the work, literature will be presented on a general scale on matrilineal succession and the issues at stake as well as other ideas of authors further illustrating matrilineal succession and youth empowerment. 2.2.1. ANALYSES OF THE MATRILINEAL SUCCESSION PRACTICE Keesing (1975) in trying to give the origin of inheritance gives an evolutionary perspective of kinship. He says in his book that kinship traced through father and mother brought about social cohesion. Then with the coming of agriculture and some sedimentary life styles, new organizational challenges came up like; control of conflicts and uniting groups into a larger

31 system, land, livestock, and property, transmission of rights over property to successive generations (inheritance), the definition of relationships of people with land, the acquisition of rights, safety and allies in local groups other than his own and the maintenance of these relationships over the years (succession). The diverse descent groups we observe now are the result of varying solutions to the above challenges in the different cultural settings. According to Alesha (2009), some writers estimate that the matrilineal epoch of humanity lasted for up to 25.000 years. The maternal clan system is as old as humanity itself. This is the pre family period. Certain aspects characterized many matrilineal civilizations. This does not express its feminization, but it is well known that most, if not all these cultures were African. Matrilineal patterns of social organization are strong in ancient and even modern African communities. Some suggest it is this very idea that has essentially defined proto-African culture from more modern populations. This is an assertion of Dr. Cheikh Anta Diop (1990). The characteristic of matrilineal culture also reveals many traditional African currents and concerns in their daily lives. Some writers have made allusion to the prevalence of matriarchy in the earlier days which in due course gave place to patriarchy. As for Nkwi (1969), the first societies were matrilineal but the Roman Empire with its growth wiped it out in favor of patriarchy. Morgan following his steps brought up a trend that started with matrilineal societies and ended with patrilineal societies. According to him, when societies were still barbaric and highly promiscuous, descent was traced from the mother’s side since they were not sure of the fathers. This was replaced by semi- matriarchy where there was quasi female hegemony and then patriarchy with the coming of imperialism. This thought was followed later by Engels; he however used the Marxist model of capitalism to explain the present male dominion. According to him, the economic status of the woman puts her in a position lower to the man’s own because she performs basically domestic chores. The Kom society follows a matrilineal system of succession. This system of descent traced its origin from the beginning of the ‘fondoms’, when the first fon of Kom disappeared and was succeeded by his sister’s son (Jinabo I). This succession might be taken as the genesis of matrilineal systems of succession in Kom, Nkwi and Warnier (1982).

2.2.2. VIEWS ON MATRILINEAL SUCCESSION BY LOCAL AUTHORITIES As for Nchoji (1987), there is a puzzling diversity among the chiefdoms of the Western Grassfields. The ways of reckoning descent, regulating marriages, inheriting property and succeeding to offices, differ remarkably among groups which often claim historical connections. In the Western grassfields, some ethnic groups are patrilineal while others are matrilineal and their social organisation may be slightly defined by this descent or kinship principle. The chief or King is a singular figure and the incarnation of the customs and traditions of the group. He lives in a large palace (nto) which provides quarters for his wives and retainers, lodges for ritual and political groups. He is powerful and enjoys a number of prerogatives or privileges. He maintains a large retinue of persons who assist in the functioning of the palace economy and in the performance of common services of the state. He exercises his authority through his territorial agents and through the retainer association, known in Kom as Kwifoyn . Ellen (1967) explains the fact that; “a society, then, is conceptually distinguishable from the culture by which its members live …culture can be diffused from one social system to another”. In the Kom community, the local authorities collaborate closely especially in matters concerning their long lived traditions. The local authorities believe matrilineal succession is a cultural ancestral heritage and proudly respect it. Nkwi continues by saying that one of the most enduring units in the Kom society is the clan ( esaindo ). These are named, dispersed, non exogamous units in which membership is derived through matrilineal descent. If the husband dies, there is disruption of all the households centered on him, his matrilineage will appoint a successor who will claim the deceased’s children and wife. The successor is installed and presented with the deceased’s drinking cup. The woman who refuses to be succeeded leaves the compound and returns to her own relatives. A woman who has out grown the child bearing age may decide to settle in the compound of one of her adult children or she may be driven away. In the North West and South West regions of Cameroon, the law applicable to succession is customary law. Every person has a right to dispose of his property the way he/ she judges fit. If he does not do so, the judges of the common law courts will decide according to certain laid down principles. By Cameroon law, customary law is applicable on issues of succession like in other permissible areas only when the custom in question is not obnoxious and must also conform to rules of natural justice and good conscience. As at now since the customs are different, each

33 case is considered on its own merits that is according to the grievances of the complainant amongst others. These interpretations are made in the Cameroon judicial court. From all indications, the Kom people are still deeply rooted into matrilineal succession due to the constant support offered by a majority of the local authorities to matrilineal succession and empowerment. Numfor (2006) holds that in almost every society, rulers have been designed to determine who will take over the property and responsibilities after a death in the family. Even formal laws sometimes perpetuate housing and land laws as being under the control of men thus preventing women from inheriting. The result is that women and girls after the death of a father and husband are robbed of the housing and land they lived in and left homeless and destitute. The above reality has a negative impact on the development of women, children and the community at large. With the tragedies of armed conflicts, HIV/AIDS, and poverty, widowhood is a reality for a full 25% of all African women. The plight of women demands that states deal justly with inheritance and that this no longer be considered a private matter. It should be a question of rights and ultimately the responsibility of the state to ensure that these are fulfilled. However, most often, inheritance is viewed as a private matter causing the government to be reluctant to interfere. Marvin(1970) tells us that social power can be viewed analytically as either a consequence or a cause of organized social activities through in reality both processes occur simultaneously. On the one hand, power does not exist until social actors begin relating to one another in some manner. It is created through social interactions and relationships, as an outgrowth of social ordering. Organized power exertion enables actors to perform collective activities and achieve common goals. Given the above literature, there is no doubt that the Kom local authorities have a negligent attitude towards the outcome of the matrilineal succession practice in Kom. Every society has its leaders and whatever the leaders believe in and opt for, members of the community have little or no chances to oppose the set laws. The Kom people and specifically their youths can be victims of these laws.

2.2.3. THE EFFECTS OF MATRILINEAL SUCCESSION Alesha (2010), noted that modern people tend to view matrilineal succession societies with fear. Their legacy and level of accomplishments cannot be disputed or overlooked. For they are responsible for all manners of science, arts, philosophy, religion, and culture. Their enduring legacy is so great that they are remembered as the golden city, the original paradise, the one

34 heaven on earth and the land of milk and honey. The oldest known system of humanity is matrilineal succession. Matrilineal culture has long believed that the mother and child relationship is the center of communal life. For all communities to recent times clung also to this moral and spiritual percept. Thus in ancient time, motherhood itself was a source of great celebration, honour and authority. Andrew (2010), said the Kom matrilineal system of succession is only one of the Cameroon customary systems of succession. The judge/magistrate has to sought out the conveniences and inconveniences of each system according to the law, his good conscience, appreciation and previous interpretation of natural justice. In many tribes in Cameroon, the system of succession is patrilineal that is from Father to son and within that system today there is the gender argument that all children are equal and so the girl child must be allowed to succeed if that will be in the best interest of the beneficiaries. Nowadays, it has been resolved favorably for the girl child. In the past, there were arguments that a married woman could not come from her marriage home to inherit her father’s property. Human rights are opening up peoples thinking, and identifying for them rights that were not imaginable in the last 50 years. Andrew continues by saying that Kom children are interacting with the other people, listening to the same radios, watching the same television channels, reading the same papers and browsing the same net. We cannot pretend that they are living in a society exclusively Kom. He goes further to propose an experiment for some of those who are living outside Kom. He says that he will like them to carry out a simple experiment with their own children by asking their opinions on the Kom system of matrilineal succession and hear what they will say and after hearing their responses, they should ask themselves if they can dare make proposals of matrilineal succession to their own fathers. He continues by saying that most people who argue for this system today, have parents who had doubts on the justice of this system. Some of these parents did not bother giving the advantages of this kind of succession so today, we have nothing to explain to our own children. The writer tells us that at first, he use to have many advantages of matrilineal succession in Kom but now, when he looks at it, he sees instances of abuses that ridicule the whole idea he used to carry on his mind because matrilineal succession has become a personal interest occasion far from the original concept of responsibility over the beneficiaries of the estate.

Shanklin (1983) informs us that the husband’s position as the leader and controller of the household’s activities clashes with the matrilineal organization of the Kom society and leads to tensions affecting various relationships; relations between husband and wife, a father and his children, a man and his matrilineal heirs, the wife, her children and husbands’ matrilineal relatives. The father’s matrilineal group however does not assume responsibility for the young man when the father dies, the successor may or may not be responsible to or for him. Matrilineal succession in Kom means when a man dies, his maternal brother is the next in line for inheritance and if there is no direct brother, his sister’s son inherits his property and not his children. In these cases, the Kom child feels orphaned (a new concept in Kom), widows get deprived of farm lands where they have farmed for years. These farms are leased to other people for money and eventually sold. The widows get expelled from their matrimonial homes. Fewer children of these homes today go to school and are eventually orphaned. The saying that a Kom child never lacks a ‘father’ is today only a concept for those who have experienced what we are talking about. Today, if we continue to say that deprived children and widows cannot complain, it’s because there are no rights recognized for them in the Kom customary laws, and then the Kom succession laws themselves will need something to take in charge/change. Ngong (2006), postulates that the matrilineal system of succession brings so many problems to the lives of the children and even to the adults of the society because children whose fathers died when they were still young in life do not have the opportunity of going through their educational careers successfully simply because their uncles who inherited their father’s property are not willing to take over the responsibility of their education even if the means are there. Sometimes, the widows may refuse to be inherited and are thrown out of their homes and their children may suffer the effects of the absence of both parents.

2.3. A COMPARATIVE APPROACH OF MATRILINEAL AND PATRILINEAL SUCCESSION The greater part of humanity is versed with the terms patrilineal succession rather than matrilineal succession. Some people even get lost when the here of matrilineal succession. This therefore means that there is an obvious difference between these two concepts. Some authors have had the cutesy of helping us distinguish these concepts.

2.3.1. DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MATRILINEAL SUCCESSION AND PATRILINEAL SUCCESSION Matrilineal succession has become an occasional personal interest far from the original concept of responsibility over the beneficiaries of an estate. According to information gathered from www.google.com on the 19 th of February 2013, Kom differs significantly from other tribes of Cameroon in that it practises matrilineal means of succession. The priority of succession of a deceased person’s property universally includes; surviving spouse, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, grand children, nephews and nieces in that order. It is not for us to reverse the priority. Matrilineal succession in our context comes somewhere below in the priority line up. When an adult dies in Kom, ownership of the property including compound, wives and children is transferred to his nephew or brother and not his son which is a great handicap to the deceased’s family and needs to be revised. In a man’s household, that is patrilineal societies, it is a man’s children that count Nkwi (1976). They are responsible for his social prestige and theirs. They assist him in the acquisition of wealth, look after him in times of need, and he assists them in their social integration. It is to his children that a man shows his secret medicine, entrusts all his spiritual powers and shows his crafts of tradition. He assists them in getting wives and gives them land on which to build and farm. It is his children that should have the last say on the choice of his succession. The above makes the children know their origin, sweat and respect one another and the society. This is hardly the case with matrilineal succession. Nkwi defines matriarchy as a form of social organization by which personal rights, duties and restrictions are determined from the maternal side. He says matriarchy is in three folds; matrilineal (where inheritance is reckoned on the mothers side), matrilocal (when the wife resides with her family her husband being a temporal or permanent visitor) and matripotestal (in which child control and the choice of a wife depends on the mother and her people). What is important to note here is that in the majority of matrilineal systems of inheritance, power still resides in the hands of the man and there is the practice of marriage by succession. Nkwi (1969) shows that there could be a peaceful co-existence of matriarchal and patriarchal systems. In Kom, it is the first fold that is operational meaning the successor is reckoned from the mother’s lineage. This manner of succession has great impacts on the woman and the rest of the family.

Information gathered from the authors show that the main difference between matrilineal succession and patrilineal succession is that in patrilineal systems, priority in succession is given to a Man’s children depending on his choice whereas in the matrilineal system, priority of succession is accorded to the maternal lineage. Kom is one of the few tribes in Cameroon to practice matrilineal succession and this startles many people. It is

2.3.2. AN ASSESSMENT OF MATRILINEAL SUCCESSION Considering that matrilineal succession is practised in some parts of Cameroon in general and in Kom specifically, there is a lingering question on people’s lips which is to know the rate of success or failure scored by matrilineal succession in the community. Despite the fact that there is insufficient literature in this domain of matrilineal succession, a few authors have tried to assess matrilineal succession in the society. According to Andrew (2010), Matrilineal succession is a rare practice in Africa in general and Cameroon in particular. This no doubt explains the rare documentation in this domain. The practice is really very complex amongst the Kom people of Belo sub-division in the North West region and that is why it caught up the researcher’s interest. This culture is believed to have so many drastic consequences on the Kom community and that is why the researcher will not stop at this level but rather go further into her research so as to analyze the issues at stake amongst the Kom especially their youths. Eugenia (1983) in her own opinion holds that membership of the household who work together belong to different inheritance groups, but the Kom people believe that the strain is mitigated by the relationship between a father and his children, in which the children stand to gain from their father only so long as he lives, and the matrilineal relatives gain only from the man’s death. The strains are often manifested in particular land cases for instance, a father sued his son to court for planting coffee on land that the father’s matrilineal group claimed to own. The case was dismissed by the local council on the grounds that a father and son should be able to work out their own problems, but informants said that the cause of the case was jealousy of the matrilineal relatives towards the son, who was seen to be benefitting unduly, as they thought, from the father’s generosity. However it is considered by many that, these irrationalities of the Kom customary law affects the Kom youths in a special way. After many years of ‘asking or not asking’, common law courts have finally been set up in Kom. The Kom customary court at Njinikom, the recognized

38 customary court that handles Kom customary issues must now live on the same land with common law courts. The Ministry of justice places supervisory control of the customary courts in the hands of those responsible for the common law courts of the locality. The Kom people and their youths are facing lots of challenges through this matrilineal structure.

2.3.3. THE CULTURAL IMPACT OF MATRILINEAL SUCCESSION AT THE LOCAL AND NATIONAL DIMENSIONS. Mead (1935) explored the relationships between culture and human nature. She deals with culture as a main factor determining masculine and feminine nature. This shows that the values given to a woman in a given society are linked to the given culture. Her work is based on understanding of the importance of culture in the people’s development. By separating biological from cultural factors, she examines cultural factors that control human behavior and personality in development. The U.N convention on the rights of the child (C.R.C) was adopted on the 20 th November 1989. It is one of the most complete statement of children’s rights ever attempted and the first to give these rights the force of international law. Unlike the other international instruments, all commonwealth countries are parties to the C.R.C. The rights into C.R.C. apply to children in all parts of the world. It lays down common standards although each state can decide for itself how to implement them. The C.R.C. has as its guiding spirit, the best interests of the child. Some main features of the convention are as follows; Children who have suffered maltreatment, neglect or detention should receive appropriate treatment or training to recovery and rehabilitation, children of minority and indigenous populations shall freely enjoy their own culture, religion and language. Amongst other things, the convention requires states to take appropriate measures to modify the social and cultural patterns of the conducts of men and women with a view of achieving the elimination of prejudice, and other practices which are based on the inferiority or the superiority of both sexes or on stereotyped roles of men and women in certain cultural aspects. As noted earlier, the ‘common law’ tradition is one of the main links that binds commonwealth countries. Customary law still plays a significant role particularly in matters of personal conduct for instance in matters of marriage, and inheritance in many commonwealth countries. Its relationship with the constitution and ‘received’ law (that is, the common law system brought by the former colonial power) remains a matter of some controversy.

CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This chapter is going to present the procedures and techniques used to obtain information and data in this study. Specifically, the chapter looks at the research procedures (observational, documentary and opinion polls), research instruments (the questionnaire, and the interview guide), and research design (population and sampling, administration of instruments and data analyses). It will also present the various research limitations and their influence on the study.

3.1. RESEARCH PROCEDURES In order to ensure a systematic and scientific investigation of issues at stake and obtain relevant data analyzed in this study, the researcher employed various procedural frameworks. The researcher went through three important procedures: the observational and documentary research procedures, and finally, opinion polls procedures which were realized through the administration of research instruments.

3.1.1. THE OBSERVATIONAL RESEARCH PROCEDURE Accordingly, this research work started from an observation of the prevailing stakes as recorded in the introductory part. Robert and Laverne (1972), asserts that observation is probably the most accurate of techniques that is most frequently used by researchers in the natural sciences and it is also effective for the social sciences. Observation is therefore the act of keenly watching and following up activities carried out in a particular milieu after a given period of time, so as to get a grip and try to understand why things happen the way they do. The researcher in this work shares this idea and this explains why observations were at the forefront of the study. The researcher has been a keen observer of the effects of matrilineal succession in the empowerment of youths in Kom, and has developed a keen interest in the domain for quite a while now. The researcher has followed this issue during disputes in the Njinikom customary court between heirs and the deceased person’s wife and children. Also, during an occasion at the Belo rural council on development, the D.O (divisional officers), advised the Kom people to respect their tradition and that the successors should respect their elders and also assist in communal development by continuing from where the deceased person stopped during his life time. This stroke the researcher who sought to find out the effects of succession in the development of Kom in general. Several inheritance crises between successors and their opponents (widows and their children) are presented before armed forces (gendarmes) for solutions. It was also discovered that these widows and their children are forced to migrate to other areas where they make good use of

41 their expertise in various domains and help develop the areas in question. Most often, the young successors who remain in Kom get so excited about what they have succeeded and turn to forget the fact that these acquisitions have to be properly maintained for future generations. They neglect these acquisitions saying the things are not theirs and that when they will die, another person will succeed them. Some Kom youths who have been marginalized due to this succession often write articles which they put on the internet and at times in local papers. Those youths who eventually become successors have some powers they gain such as decision making in family and quarter matters, control of many wives and children in other words the management of both material and human resources. From all indications, this succession really seems to be slowing down development in Kom and the researcher in order to satisfy his quest for knowledge and proper understanding chose to work in this domain. Before going into the research, this has been a preparative background to the understanding of the subject under study. As such from the preliminary observation and the underlining of the existing issues, the researcher was able to come out with tentative assumptions through her main and specific research hypotheses as a solid foundation for a methodical investigation. The researcher is a child of the Kom soil (indigene), thus her cultural background makes it relatively easier for her to understand behaviours and to carry out direct and participant observations. Furthermore, the researcher has lived in the studied community and participated in its activities with other residents and so has an insight of the people and their mentalities already. From the foregoing, the researcher posed questions and formulated hypotheses to guide her research.

3.1.2. THE DOCUMENTARY RESEARCH PROCEDURE After the observational research procedure where the researcher had a glimpse of issues at stake concerning matrilineal succession and youth empowerment, the researcher spiced up his quest with the documentary research procedure. The researcher used documentary research for related literature on the theme under investigation. This phase of the research work is important because, scientifically, documentary research helped the researcher verify the issues that were raised in the introductory part of the study such as the matrilineal succession and its consequences on youths in general and to development in particular in the Kom community. The conceptual framework of this work from the first to the third chapter was built from documentary research procedures. The documentary research recorded in the literature review,

42 makes an overview of the opinions of other researchers on the issues at stake in youth empowerment through matrilineal succession. In the documentary research, the researcher’ work was built upon what others have written, which facilitated the understanding that matrilineal succession and youth empowerment is striking in the Kom community. Whether positive or negative on related topics, this helped the researcher come up with specific interpretation, and conclusions in order to make recommendations in the concluding chapter of this study. Coming to terms with the fact that writers especially Sociologists, Anthropologists and Psychologists just to mention a few, have touched every domain in the social and human sciences, it was therefore important to give this scientific orientation by exploiting the points of view and arguments of other academic works. Social scientists have been current with the evolution of social phenomena that every domain of life has been underscored by researchers. It was therefore necessary for the researcher to exploit both published and unpublished documents that have treated the issue of matrilineal succession, youth empowerment and some related aspects in the development process of a country so as to better understand the issues at stake. Due to the fact that observational and documentary research procedures were not sufficient to provide this study with the required information on the topic of investigation, there was need for the researcher to move on to the last stage of the research procedures called opinion polls which constitute indirect observations.

3.1.3. OPINION SAMPLING RESEARCH PROCEDURES This final research procedure constitutes the verification of the issues raised and the hypotheses designed in the introductory chapter of this study. Opinion polls as one of the research procedures consisted in consulting all the stakeholders using various research instruments to find out their various positions and opinions on matrilineal succession and youth empowerment in the Kom society. It is for this reason that it is called indirect observational research. This consultation enriched the researcher’s ideas on the issues at stake. It is from such consultations that the researcher was able to gather data, make analyses and interpret them for suggestions to remedy the situation. In scientific works, this stage is very important. It is therefore the last stage of the procedures in our methodology leading to the conclusion. Opinion polls are thus one of the most if not the most crucial aspect of a systematic investigation of an issue like matrilineal succession and youth empowerment in Kom. It is considered the most essential because it is here that the opinions of the various stakeholders are consulted through an

43 opinion poll and data collected for analyses and interpretations to come out with relative information. Conclusions are drawn from this phase with findings for suggestions to be made to ameliorate the problematic situation. For the purpose of synthesis, the researcher’ procedures provide the basis of an academic work in a scientific work on one hand and on the other hand, any practice that must have been a call for concern for one or several scholars. Concerning the matrilineal succession practice and youth empowerment, the questionnaire and the interview guide were administered to the various stakeholders; youths, parents, traditional authorities, youth workers (animators), and elites. Their responses to the questionnaire and the interview guide provided this research work with vital information and data useful in presenting a scientific research feedback within the perspective of this work. Since the goal of every research work is to investigate and contribute immensely to the field of research knowledge on social milieu, there was therefore a need for the researcher to sample the different opinions of persons on the subject of the study in this work in a bid to find solutions to scientific and social problems through a systematic and objective analysis. With this process, conclusions are drawn from this phase with findings for recommendations to be made to change the situation that has been problematic.

3.2. RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS Research instruments are the various tools used to collect data from the field in every research work for analyses and interpretation. In order for the researcher during this study to maximize the validity of the research results and to obtain necessary information recorded, many research instruments so as to reach the best possible findings from which proposals will be made were used. Precisely, the research instruments used were three in number. The main instruments used were the questionnaire and the interview guide. The observational checklist complemented these main research instruments.

3.2.1. DESCRIPTION OF INSTRUMENTS As indicated in the paragraphs above, many research instruments were used to obtain information from the field. The questionnaire being a quantitative research instrument could not be neglected in the quest for data in this research work. A questionnaire is a set of questions or items requesting responses that will help the researcher obtain data, with which to verify the hypotheses of the study. The questionnaire which is a quantitative instrument is divided into two

44 parts. The first part of the questionnaire is made up of questions based on the identification of the respondents. Specifically, it seeks to know their social status, gender, educational level, and their religious backgrounds. The second part of the questionnaire which is in three headings reflects the three researchable hypotheses in this study. This part is made up of twelve closed questions and one open question to evaluate the hypotheses. The language used by the researcher in the quest for data was simple English language and the vernacular so as to permit the respondents understand and also be able to make a choice from the proposed answers below each question. The second part of the questionnaire which is made up of three sections carries questions related to the work. These sections are each given a title with four simple questions in each of the sections. The first heading seeks to know the relationship between matrilineal succession and Kom youth’s development comprised in four closed questions. Each question asked is geared towards collecting data to evaluate the first hypothesis. The second leading heading is based on the shortcomings of matrilineal succession and youth empowerment. To this effect, four enclosed questions were also asked to evaluate the second hypothesis. The last section concentrated on the contributions of young successors to the development of Kom and is also subdivided into four closed questions to verify the third hypothesis. The last section took the form of both closed and open questions. Aside from the four closed questions sampling the opinions of the various stakeholders, the researcher equally designed an open question. This was done so as to give the respondents a free mind and opportunity to state other means or strategies which they consider vital in changing the influence had by matrilineal succession in youth empowerment for the development of the community. Through these research instruments, valuable data was obtained through the sampled opinions of the various respondents. Another instrument that was used is the interview guide. An interview guide is a list of qualitative questions or items intended to enable the researcher obtain expertise information from someone considered to be very knowledgeable on the subject under investigation. Loh (2011) also acknowledges that an interview is a technique aided by oral testimony of the respondents so as to acquire information about the behaviours, habits, and experiences in the community that specifically links to the theme under investigation. Unlike the questionnaire that samples the opinions of a large number of people, the interview guide targets just a few resource persons. This qualitative research instrument just like the questionnaire introduces the researcher and bears the topic of research. The instrument had three questions drawn from the three researchable

45 hypotheses established at the onset of this scientific work. A total number of five experts were consulted, drawn from the traditional authorities and administrative authorities as well as other sectors of the community in order to have resourceful information on the problematic issues at stake in this research work. In this research work, three questions were formulated from the three hypotheses of the study. Note should be taken that supplementary questions arose as the interviews were being conducted. For these interviews to be effective, appointments were obtained since most resource persons were occupied. They were equally given a copy of the interview guide so as to know the nature of interviews and if possible, prepare documents and information before time. The interviews were done both in English and the mother tongue so as to avoid biased results. The interviews strictly followed the pre-established or designed guidelines. The information collected from this verbal interaction with the resource persons was taken into consideration when analyzing the qualitative and quantitative research instruments and during recommendations made in this work. The Observational checklist is another instrument that was used in this study. This is an instrument that enables the researcher to watch people, events, situations or phenomena to obtain first class information relating to a particular aspect of such events, people or phenomena. This instrument is important in this research because certain aspects of human behavior can only be obtained in a particular setting where these behaviours are displayed. The main aim of this instrument is to see and describe human behaviours the way they are naturally. In order to adequately observe these behaviours in the Kom community of Belo Sub-Division, the researcher considered the socio-cultural, socio-economic and political aspects. The observational checklist provided us with information that was analyzed for recommendations to be made to counter the negative effects of matrilineal succession in youth empowerment in Kom in particular and Cameroon in general. The media and multi-media services were exceptionally resourceful in this research work. The internet, and telephones were regularly used to book appointments ad obtain relevant data for this research piece. Many internet research sites were exploited for this research. Information acquired from the different services was written using pens and notebooks, interviews recorded by the use of multimedia handsets and information from the internet was downloaded in a USB flash disk. The telephone was used to have access to most of the resource persons especially, in

46 booking appointments with these resource persons. The research instruments analyzed above were carefully chosen for the purpose of this study due to certain reasons.

3.2.2. JUSTIFICATION OF THE INSTRUMENTS The instruments used in this work were specially selected in order to facilitate the data and information acquisition process so as to verify the research hypotheses. Documentary research which consisted of consulting published and unpublished books, articles, ideas, and journals just to name a few was very necessary for the conceptual and theoretical framework of this work. The knowledge got from the consultation of these documents was inspirational to the researcher. Considering the fact that many scholars have left some written literature in this field, it is indicative to the fact that the youth empowerment through matrilineal succession exists in our community. The reasons why the questionnaire was used in this work are; it gives access to large sampling of opinions of the target population. The closed ended questionnaire was chosen because it was less time consuming, easy to handle and easily mastered by most of the respondents. This permitted the researcher to collect necessary information for the study from a sample population. The respondents were carefully chosen from the many stakeholders in the Kom community of Belo Sub-Division and were very known legible on the social, cultural, economic and traditional life in the community so as to provide this research work with the best possible data. Also, some emigrants were consulted (that is the people who have lived in the community and later migrated out of the village), so as to know exactly if the empowerment of some youths through matrilineal succession contributes to rural exodus in Kom. As mentioned above, the questions were drawn from the researchable hypotheses and the stakeholders who responded to them were made up of youths, parents, traditional authorities, youth workers and emigrants. The information collected from these groups of the respondents through the questionnaire contributed in enhancing the results postulated in this study and recommendations made. The interview guide facilitated the researcher´s dialogue with some qualitative stakeholders such as; high profile administrative and traditional authorities, elites, association leaders and professionals, where the researcher shared the views in relation to the issues at stake. The interview guide was used to obtain information from this category of people because; it is economical and permits the free expression of personal opinions in relation to the issues at stake

47 in the youth empowerment through matrilineal succession phenomenom. The interview guide gave us the opportunity to collect quality, precise and detail information from the knowledgeable stakeholders concerning youth empowerment through matrilineal succession and its problematic issues. Finally, the exploitation of multimedia services was justified for many reasons. The topic deals with contemporary issues which are related to youth empowerment through matrilineal succession which is the order of the day amongst a few African countries and the Kom of Cameroon for decades now. Programmes and debates on matrilineal succession and youth empowerment are very common on our local radio stations. There are so many articles published and unpublished on the internet and websites concerning this phenomenom. The internet was also used to collect information because books which are exclusively on youth empowerment and matrilineal succession are very rare in libraries since it is a rare practice and some people are still getting to know about its existence. Due to the tight schedule of the school programme, and that of resource persons, the telephone was very vital to the success to the success of this research work. Finally, since the best way of preserving information was by writing it down in a book and storing in a storage device, it is to that effect that pens, books, USB flash and multimedia handset were used. All these storage devices helped the researcher to get to the information at the information at the convenient time.

3.2.3. VALIDATION OF INSTRUMENTS In order to render the study more scientific, the questionnaire and interview guide which were to be distributed to the stakeholders were validated. The validation was carried out at two different levels namely scientific and professional validation. The questionnaire and interview guide were first of all presented to some friends and relatives who are students of the University of Yaounde I for validation. Their opinions and contributions helped in the re-adjustment of the questions designed. The second stage of the scientific validation was done by the supervisor of this research, who is a PhD holder and a senior lecturer at the University of Yaounde I. On the other hand, the designing and construction of the instruments used were validated professionally by a number of experts in the research field. Among them was the co-supervisor of this work who is a Senior Youth and Action Counsellor, a holder of DESS in administration and management, a permanent lecturer in the National Institute of Youth and Sports Yaounde. The supervisor and co-

48 supervisor read through the instruments, screened and restructured the items and ensured that the instruments were capable of fetching the required information for this investigation. After the scrutiny of the research instruments by the supervisor, co-supervisor and other experts, the researcher equally carried out the pilot testing of the instruments on similar populations which are not part of the population or sample being studied. This was to ensure that the actual sample should not have problems with the instruments at the moment the administration was being done. The investigation and collection of data were made possible in December 2013, and January 2013 only after the research instruments were validated after being corrected by co-supervisor and other experts and the pilot test validation also carried out.

3.3. RESEARCH DESIGN Dzenyagha (2001) defines a research design as a plan which specifies how the data relating to a given problem should be collected and analyzed. Asongmo (2004) and Loh (2012) in the same light see research designs as a plan which clearly specifies the target population and the way data should be collected and analyzed. It provides the procedural outline for the conduct of any given investigation. This section is therefore concerned with the research population and sampling as well as the administration of instruments and data analysis. This therefore concerns the administration of instruments whereby the researcher collected data from the sampled population through the questionnaire and the interview guide.

3.3.1. POPULATION OF THE STUDY AND SAMPLING The population is a combination of all members or elements be the humans or non- humans of a well defined group. As for Grawitz (1990: 1037) and Ngum (2011) a population consists of the sum of individuals chosen because, they possess “the same properties and nature”. In other words, it embodies the sum of individuals on whom analyses are centered, to whom the researcher eventually wants to generalize the conclusions of the enquiry. Sample on the other hand refers to part of the universe of the population that is actually used in the investigations, who were randomly selected to answer our questions. The sample population defines the limits within which the research findings are applicable, and it must be somehow achieved in relation to the subject and objectives of the study. Concerning this study, the sample population was made up of youths, parents, administrative authorities, youth workers and emigrants from diverse socio-cultural, economic and political backgrounds. It is a representative population of the entire

49 sample on which the study dwelled on, thereby constituting the spring of obtaining results through information collected and data analyses. The people who were used as the sample population were between the ages of 15 and 55 years. That is, those who have at least completed the primary education and have attempted the secondary education, or better still have some knowledge on the socioeconomic situation of the Kom community, matrilineal succession and youth empowerment in particular. The main reason for this was the fact that with this level of education and the experiences undergone in the Belo sub-division, they will be able to give an objective stand concerning matrilineal succession and youth empowerment and its socio- economic effects on the development of the Kom community. Concerning youth empowerment and matrilineal succession, the Belo sub-division was taken as the case study because it is one of the sub-divisions in which the greater population of the Kom people reside and these Kom people have a very interesting historical and geographical background and especially because of their matrilineal succession practice. The matrilineal succession phenomenon is a contribution factor to youth empowerment and the high level of unemployment justifies youth’s attraction to certain indirect advantages. The population of Belo which constitutes the general population directly and indirectly concerned with the study is made up of 80.000 inhabitants according to the last population counts. It is an essentially rural population spaced out in 19 villages. The people are not all educated but an estimate of more than 60% can read and write. However, being a rural population, these people are very much attached to their culture especially traditional practices and customs. It is this attachment that explains the persistent practice of matrilineal succession in this era of globalization of the third millennium. Generally, these people of Belo, practise agriculture as their main occupation although a very small percentage is engaged in other activities like working with the government as civil servants or doing craftsmanship. Like it is the general case of the population of Cameroon, our studied population is essentially youthful. Considering that the area under study has such a very large population of 80.000 inhabitants, it is obvious that this research had to systematically delimit it to a workable sampling. The first step was to delimit the area to three localities which are considered quite representative of the general population socially, economically, educationally and especially culturally. These three areas are the Sub-Divisional headquarter of Belo town, and two other villages namely Acha and Njinikigem. This delimitation brought the population considered in this

50 study to an estimate of 16.000 people. Taking into consideration the general analysis of the Cameroonian population in MINJEUN(2006), children from 0-14 years are 46% and the old people above 60 years are 03%. This gives us a total of 49% of the 16.000 people that are not able to properly answer the questions. This was calculated at about 7.500 people who were delimited from the total of 16.000 leaving only 8.500 people. The researcher further considered other criteria to delimit the 8.500 people to a workable sampling. Accordingly, only people with a reasonable level of education who could read and write were considered. Furthermore, those considered were also because they were quite cultured generally and knowledgeable so as to answer the questionnaire with consideration and comparison with what is being practised in other places. Considering only hardcore supporters of matrilineal traditionalists would have been bias. Finally, considering that the people are generally farmers, the researcher also considered only those who were willing and available to cooperate in the exercise. These criteria greatly reduced the considered population to an estimated workable sampling of 1.600 people. It is therefore from the above sampling of 1.600 people directly concerned with the study and capable of giving viable unbiased information that a representation of 10% was randomly chosen as a sample population. The 10% of 1.600 people gave us 160 people who were considered from the various stakeholders in this phenomenon of matrilineal succession. These stakeholders were administrative and traditional authorities, Youths Animation professionals, parents and youths themselves. Much care was taken to choose stakeholders in relation to their representative sizes in the general population. Accordingly and in addition to the above criteria, youths were prioritized in this research because they are those that are directly touched by the phenomenon. In the sampling considering the population of parents, many were considered because they are those who orientate, encourage and finance the younger ones to be responsible for other people’s property. The researcher believed that nineteen (19) administrative and traditional authorities who have an interest to protect the society and see into it that the execution of development strategies could be enough to work with. Equally, twenty five (25) external elites from Kom found in Yaounde and Bamenda were sampled to know the real possible causes of their movement out of Kom and its impact on the development of the community. A total number of eighty (80) youths were sampled within the Belo Sub-Division. This was done according to the

51 number of the educated ones mostly of the, secondary and university levels. In like manner, thirty two (29) parents including a few widows were selected to assist the researcher in her quest for quality information. Lastly, seven (7) animators were taken because they stand a better chance of outlining the impact of matrilineal succession, making better suggestions to remedy the situation. The researcher hereby did quota sampling for the youths and random sampling techniques for the other groups of respondents.

3.3.2. ADMINISTRATION OF THE RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS AND DATA ANALYSES This section of the work shall be analyzing the process undergone to administer the research instruments. Also, in the later part, the method of data analyses shall be discussed as presented in this study. - ADMINISTRATION OF THE INSTRUMENTS The administration of the research instruments which constitutes part of the research design was done after selecting the sample population. The administration of the questionnaire started in some popular places in Belo where those who return from areas like Bamenda, Yaounde often visit. This was to sample their opinions using the questionnaire. The busy ‘three corners Belo’ was not left out because it is there that people of all social economic and educational backgrounds are found and more importantly because the man on the street had his own judgment concerning matrilineal succession. In order to get a good representation of opinions of both the Kom youths and adults, the questionnaire was administered considering the representative sampled of Belo Sub-Division. It was hereby done in the various meeting houses, some offices and ‘nkang’(corn beer) houses. The interview guide was administered simultaneously with the general questionnaires during the same period. All these people provided the information that permitted the researcher make conclusive findings. All the one hundred and sixty copies of the questionnaire distributed by the researcher and some four competent volunteers to the various stakeholders. The volunteers were the researcher’s parents and two of her sisters. The administration of these instruments went on from the beginning of the year. They were all recovered for the purpose of this work. It is worth noting here that the responses to the questionnaire were discreet and not collective. The questionnaires respondents did so without expecting any payment or persuasion for remunerations. Concerning some respondents and questions, the researcher took time to explain what the questionnaire was

52 all about and their opinions were to be used only for the purpose of this work. Some questions that were not understood were explained in the vernacular in order to obtain valuable results. What is also important to note is that the questionnaires did not last more than 24 hours with the respondents so as to have a full representation of the population chosen for sampling. The interview guide was administered alongside the general questionnaire during the same period. This instrument was administered to experts, high profile administrators, traditional rulers and professionals and for this reason, appointments were booked. Usually, a copy of the interview guide is deposited with the authority or person in question before the day of the interview. These people were chosen because they are considered to be very knowledgeable on the subject of the study and the general affairs of Cameroon in general and the Kom community in particular. Though it is a difficult task administering the questionnaire and granting interviews, these people provided the information that permitted the researcher to make conclusive findings.

DATA ANALYSES Data analyses covers the last stage of our research design. The information collected from the sample population was summarized using the descriptive statistical method. This permitted the researcher to get results from data which were presented in tables. Each table was analyzed and presented in percentages to have an objective result of each data to be analyzed. Considering the tables and interpretations, analyses and interpretations were made and conclusions drawn for solutions to be proposed. Data analyses constituted a vital portion of this research endeavour because, through them, the researcher was able to verify the research hypotheses analyze information and statistics which set the bases for the conclusion and recommendations. The descriptive statistical method was chosen because it gives precise and clear results that are easily understood by the readers. The formula adopted for calculating the percentages is as below; Percentage frequency = Frequency Count (FC) x 100 Total Count (TC) 1 That is, %F = FC/TC x 100/1 It should be noted that the questionnaire was not the only source of fact findings to be analyzed for suggestions. Every opinion collected through the questionnaire, through the interview guide and documents were also taken into consideration as they contributed as well as the other sources of information. This research design is very important since it is complementary in this work. Data collected were analyzed and interpreted vis-à-vis the issues raised in this study

53 and the ideas of other writers. These interpretations were to confirm or refuse the position which was expressed in the hypotheses. Here data analyses stood as an important stage in this research work. 3.3.3. LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY Given the fact that this researcher is still a beginner in the field of research, this work could not have been realized without some setbacks. The difficulties encountered during this work affected directly or indirectly the quality of the investigation. SCIENTIFIC AND MATERIAL LIMITATIONS Being a beginner in this field, the researcher lacked adequate experience needed for a scientific methodology. As a result, the researcher was constantly bordering the supervisors for help. However, the supervisors of this work spent much time reading and directing the manuscript to ensure the validity of the research. They equally took enough time to lecture the researcher on certain methodological concepts which were not understood before she went to write. Added to this, the researcher and the supervisors tried to be methodological and systematic, as much as possible for the work to be successful. Material limitations in this research work, refers to the constraints encountered in having access to documented ideas that other authors and scholars have expresses in relation to the issue of matrilineal succession and youth empowerment. These prints included textbooks, articles, and journals. Even though many libraries were visited, resource persons and internet websites consulted, the quality and quantity of material gathered each time was not always satisfactory. The main difficulty concerning documentation was the fact that there were relatively few libraries and those that existed were not well stocked with documents on matrilineal succession. This made it difficult for the researcher to be current with material to be used for the success of this study. It was very difficult meeting some of her resource persons given the fact that they were too busy and could not catch up with appointments given most times. That notwithstanding, the internet turned out to be a useful source, rich in information and material analyzing the issue at stake, hence more time was spent exploring the different research websites to get access to the numerous articles, books, and journals in relation to this investigation. Equally, enough literature was gathered from libraries which were somehow rich in documents. These sources were of great importance to the realization of this work.

Concerning the questionnaire, the researcher found it difficult going through the process of administration. This is because it has never been easy dealing with intellectuals and literate people. Each question asked had to be carefully phrased in the context of this work so much to avoid ambiguity and provocation of debates contrary to the topic of research. Undermining the fact that the questionnaire was simple and straight forward, many of the respondents being so emotional about the subject gave or posed return questions to the researcher. Some respondents saw the exercise as a waste of time with the argument that nothing good could come out of Kom youths and thus they were reluctant to fill the questionnaire. Others even asked if filling or responding to the questions will change the fate of Kom youths for the community to develop. Despite all these, it made things easier for the researcher to orientate respondents and obtain relevant information. The material collected and returned questions posed by the respondents widened the scope of the researcher for a better analysis and interpretation of data collected for conclusions and recommendations. It was also difficult catching up the booked appointments for the interviews because most of the resource persons were very occupied. Also during the period of interview granting, the dialogue was sometimes interrupted by phone calls or entering and exiting of some traditional rulers. Equally, they made frequent movements in and out of the offices to give instructions, to meet or to see off their guests. This made the researcher to waste much time to bring the interviewees back to the topic under discussion so many times. However, the patience exercised by the researcher made her to grant the interviews after days and or hours. The knowledge got from these resource persons was very important for the success of this research work.

FINANCIAL AND TIME LIMITATIONS Since it is an obligation for this research work to be accomplished as a part of the requirements to obtain a Diploma in Youth and Action Counselling, much finance was needed. The excess demand of the work load during the academic year required an increase in the academic budget as well. The transport fare used by the researcher to move from Yaounde to Bamenda and back weighed down on the researcher. The researcher equally needed much money to move from one area to the other in the Belo sub-division so as to gather information. A lot of money was also spent photocopying necessary documents and registering in different libraries to have access to books that deal with matrilineal succession. Visiting the internet, typing, duplicating copies of this dissertation was also very heavy on the researcher. Nevertheless, these

55 difficulties were overcome due to a lot of hard work and sacrifices on the part of the researcher as well as support from family members and friends. After controlling the financial limitations, the researcher still faced time constraints. Time constraint was one of the major difficulties. In order to carry out a quality and systematic investigation, the researcher needed enough time to accomplish the endeavour. Equally, the school time table did not allocate enough time for research. The researcher could not meet the resource persons at the appointed time, since she was refused permission to go out most of the time. To overcome this problem, she had to squeeze out time from her busy schedule to realize this work. Since the area of study; Belo Sub-Division is very far from Yaounde, she faced enormous difficulties in moving to and fro. Since the time was less, she seized every opportunity to carry out few inquiries. This was mostly done during her very short vacations and the administration of the research instruments was done during an internship period. The limitations presented above were all trashed out by using available other possible alternatives. Since the researcher was very conscious of this academic demand, the researcher made good use of her holidays exploited all the chances and permission she could get to go and collect information necessary for this investigation. In this way, this research finally came out with a methodologically validated study of the issues at stake, and making recommendations. It also brought out the strategies and techniques which the professional of the Sciences and Techniques of Animation could use to implement the recommendations. Inn a nutshell, the researcher work went through a systematic, methodology of observational, documentary and opinion poll research procedures. The sample population was carefully chosen to represent youths, parents, administrative authorities, emigrants and youth workers. For the analysis of data got through the administration of the research instrument, the simple descriptive statistical method was used to that effect. Note should be taken that, even though many difficulties were encountered throughout this research work, the researcher worked hard to see it come to pass. This paved the way to the presentation, analyses and interpretation of the findings got in the research process.

CHAPTER FOUR

PRESENTATION, ANALYSES, AND

INTERPRETATION OF FINDINGS

The presentation, analyses and interpretations of findings in this chapter are done using information obtained from the field precisely the one hundred and sixty questionnaires that were distributed and returned to the researcher. For better analyses and interpretations, data in this chapter is presented in a tabular manner for the obtained results. Findings through interviews are presented as well. This chapter starts with the presentation of personal data of the respondents, continues with the presentation of the opinions of the respondents and ends with an appraisal of the research hypotheses.

4.1. PRESENTATION, ANALYSES, AND INTERPRETATION OF QUANTITATIVE FINDINGS This section is divided into two parts. The first part of the questionnaire takes a close look at the respondents respecting some personal indicators such as social identification of respondents, gender, educational level, and religion. The second part of the questionnaire appraises the different hypotheses adopted in the general introduction of this study. These data obtained from the field are presented, analyzed, and interpreted in order to either affirm or deny the hypotheses.

Table I : Percentage Representation of the Respondents by Sex, Educational Level and Religious Backgrounds.

Identification of N° of Sex Educational Level Religious Background Respondents Respondents Male Female PRI SEC UNI CHRIS MUS TRA.R FT Youths 80 50 30 21 39 20 22 00 48 10 Parents 29 16 13 11 10 08 14 00 12 03 ADM /TRA 19 16 03 07 03 09 05 00 11 03 Authorities Youth workers 07 04 03 00 00 07 06 00 00 01 Ext. Elites 25 18 07 03 05 17 14 00 08 03 Total 160 104 56 42 57 61 61 00 79 20 Percentage 100 65 35 26.3 35.6 38.1 38.1 00 49.4 12.5 Source: Field Work CHRIS = Christian ADM = Administration MUS = Muslim TRA = Traditional TRA.R = Traditional Religion PRI = Primary FT =Free Thinker SEC = Secondary EXT.= External UNI = University

The table above shows that one hundred and sixty respondents corresponding to one hundred percent (100%), submitted individual responses to the questionnaires distributed. Further representations from the table reveal that 65% of the sampled population are males and 35%, females. Youths constitute 50%, the parents 18.1%, Administrative and Traditional authorities 11.9%, youth workers 04.4%, and the External elites 15.6%. As for the educational level of the sample population, the researcher got 38.1% for the university, 35.6% for the secondary and 26.3% for the primary. Identifying the sampled respondents according to their religious backgrounds, the table shows 38.1% are of Christians, 00% Muslims, 49.4% traditional religion, and 12.5% are free thinkers. During the research, many youths were side lined because empowerment through matrilineal succession affects them directly. These youths were also given much credit because they would help in this research work to come out with better strategies of making use of the advantages they gain through matrilineal succession so as to participate in development. It can also be observed from the table that most of the sampled population have passed through secondary school and the University meaning that they could at least read and understand the questionnaire. It is worth noting here that since all individuals in each category of the sampled population were willing to share their own opinions in the general questionnaire, the data presented above can provide this research work with viable and unbiased information for conclusive findings.

4.1.1. HYPOTHESIS I ON: MATRILINEAL SUCCESSION AND KOM YOUTH’S DEVELOPMENT The specific research hypothesis I states that “There is a significant role played by matrilineal succession in the development of Kom youths”. It will be analyzed with respect to findings through the questions 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the general questionnaire that was distributed. The findings are systematically presented in table II below.

Table II : Numbers and Percentages of Responses to Questions 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the general questionnaire. Q. 1 In your opinion, is matrilineal succession effective in Kom? Responses Yes No Don’t know None of the above Total Variables N° 153 07 00 00 160 % 95.6% 4.4% 00% 00% 100% Q.2 Do the Kom people like the practice? Responses Yes No Don’t know None of the above Total Variables N° 59 95 06 00 160 % 36.9% 59.3% 3.8% 00% 100% Q.3 In your opinion, do the successors merit their heritage? Responses Yes No Don’t know None of the above Total Variables N° 57 98 05 00 160 % 35.6% 61.3% 3.1% 00% 100% Q.4 Is the practice good in making youths soldiers of development? Responses Yes No Don’t know None of the above Total Variables N° 42 108 10 00 160 % 26.3% 67.5% 6.2% 00% 100% Source: Field Work The results obtained for the first question presented on the table II above, shows that 95.6% of the respondents affirm that matrilineal succession is effective in Kom. Just 4.4% of the sampled population don’t think it is effective. As it is often agreed, majority carries the vote so assumptions can made from the results above that matrilineal succession is known by most stakeholders in the Kom community. Such is the case because most Kom people are aware of the resources that was left them by their fore fathers and they have been preserving this culture for a while now. The Kom people are some of those that attach themselves to their culture no matter its impact on their society. Data concerning question two of the general questionnaire which seeks to know whether the Kom people like the practice reveals interesting results. 59.3% said they don’t like the

60 practice, 36.9% declared their love for the practice while 3.1% don’t know whether they like the practice or not. The results above show that matrilineal succession has a base in the Kom community but more than half of the population doesn’t like the practice. This therefore means there is a serious problem caused by matrilineal succession in the community which needs to be trashed out so as to make life bearable for the entire community. Matrilineal succession is a cultural heritage that has been passed down from generation to generation and if today a good number of the Kom people don’t like it, it shows that this practice needs to be revised. Table II also presents results on the question three which seeks to know whether those who succeed merit their heritage.61.3% of the respondents think the successors do not merit their heritage while 35.6% think they do. 3.1% have no idea on the question. The findings as shown on the table mean that majority of the Kom people don’t deem it necessary for some individuals to succeed due to the attitude of the successors. This point is pertinent and has to be reconsidered by the community as most successors do not merit their heritage. As to what concerns question four which seeks to know if the practice is good in making youths soldiers of development, 67.5% believe it doesn’t while 26.3% think it does. The other 6.2% don’t know. The highest percentage is those who think matrilineal succession is not good for developing youths. This can go a long way to explain the great number of brains and skilled Kom youths flooding out of Kom due to frustrations and conflicts about who owns what and who is suppose to use his/her available resources to act. All these existing tensions cause the lack of concentration by intellectuals and the misappropriation of communal projects and further go a long way in slowing down the socio-economic development of the community. We can deduce here that matrilineal succession is not good for development of Kom youths.

4.1.2. HYPOTHESIS II ON: MATRILINEAL SUCCESSION AND SHORTCOMINGS IN YOUTH EMPOWERMENT The specific research hypothesis II presents the shortcomings of matrilineal succession in youth empowerment. This hypothesis states that “Matrilineal succession has severe shortcomings in youth empowerment in the Kom community”. In other to evaluate this hypothesis, four questions were asked (questions 5, 6, 7, and 8 of the general questionnaire) and their results are presented on table III below.

Table III : Numbers and Percentages of Responses to Questions 5, 6, 7, and 8 of the general questionnaire. Q. 5 How can you grade youth empowerment through matrilineal succession? Responses Strong Average Very Strong Don’t Know Total Variables N° 55 79 08 18 160 % 34.4% 49.4% 05% 11.2% 100% Q.6 Do the Kom youths depend on succession for empowerment? Responses Yes No Don’t know None of the above Total Variables N° 95 57 08 00 160 % 59.4% 35.6% 05% 00% 100% Q.7 Do you agree with the affirmation that matrilineal succession negatively affects youths? Responses StronglyAgree Agree Disagree Don’t Know Total Variables N° 47 48 57 08 160 % 29.4% 30% 35.6% 05% 100% Q.8 Does matrilineal succession have shortcomings in youth empowerment? Responses Yes No Don’t know None of the above Total Variables N° 93 59 08 00 160 % 58.1% 36.9% 05% 00% 100% Source: Field Work Question five in table III which seeks to know how the respondents can grade youth empowerment through matrilineal succession shows us that 49.4% opted for average, 34.4% opted for strong, 11.2% for no idea and 05% for very strong. These findings in other words reveal to us that a great percentage of the sampled population believe that through matrilineal succession, youths are given the agency, ability to exercise their good leadership, authority in decisions that can bring about change to their immediate environment and others. In other words, youths have through matrilineal succession benefits and are given the authority to intervene in some trivial matters concerning the participation in communal projects. Concerning question six which seeks to know whether Kom youths depend on succession for empowerment, 59.4% affirm, 35.6% object while 05% have no idea. According to the findings, we can assume that it is through succession that youths have an opportunity to show

62 case their abilities and have the opportunity to make decisions concerning certain aspects in the community especially at the quarter levels. This therefore makes them turn to succession which is another way of employing themselves so as to have a means of expressing themselves. On the table, we also have answers to question seven which seek to know whether the respondents agree with the affirmation that matrilineal succession negatively affects youths. 35.6% disagree with the affirmation, 29.4% strongly agree, 30% agree while 05% don’t know. The total percentage of those who agree in that matrilineal succession negatively affects is above fifty percent. The level of poverty is high and unemployment is the order of the day in the community so most youths have the tendency of lazing about to wait for an uncle to die so that he can be successor. The successors often get over excited and tend to misuse the resources gained. The non successors who are discouraged about this situation often leave the community due to frustrations and this discourages them from doing anything to help in community building. These negative effects surrounding youths through matrilineal succession is not the best for socio- economic development through decentralization. Question eight on the table III tries to find out whether matrilineal succession has short comings in youth empowerment. 58.1% say yes, 36.9%say no while 05% don’t now. Many chose yes because the rights given to successors are rather insignificant. They can hardly express themselves in certain mediums. Matrilineal succession has short comings on youth empowerment because if these ones are given the proper opportunity to make known some management capabilities, the Kom community will benefit from various nourishing ideas in communal projects.

4.1.3. HYPOTHESIS III ON: THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF YOUNG SUCCESSORS TO THE SOCIOECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF KOM

The specific research hypothesis three states that “Young successors in Kom contribute significantly to the socio-economic development of their community”. It will be analyzed with respect to findings from the questions 9, 10, 11, and 12 of the general questionnaire that was distributed. The findings are systematically presented in table four below.

Table IV: Numbers and Percentages of Responses to Questions 9, 10, 11, and 12 of the general questionnaire.

Q. 9 How can you assess the pace of development in Kom? Responses Very Fast Fast Very Slow Slow Total Variables N° 21 32 33 74 160 % 13.1% 20% 20.6% 46.3% 100% Q.10 How can you assess the rate of savings and investments successors? Responses Very Significant Significant Insignificant Don’t Know Total Variables N° 24 52 80 04 160 % 15% 32.5% 50% 2.5% 100% Q.11 Do the empowered youths through succession significantly contribute to development in Kom? Responses Very Significant Significant Insignificant Don’t Know Total Variables N° 24 48 82 06 160 % 15% 30% 51.3% 3.7% 100% Q.12 According to your appreciative power, how can you judge the purchasing of power in the Kom community through matrilineal succession? Responses Very High High Average Low Total Variables N° 41 72 31 16 160 % 25.6% 45% 19.4% 10% 100% Source: Field Work

Question 9 found in the table four seeks to know how the pace of development in Kom can be assessed.46.3% of the respondents say it is slow, 20.6% say it very slow, 20%say it is fast, 13.1% say it is very fast. The pace of development can be analyzed depending on the living standards of the people, infrastructure(hospitals, schools, housing facilities), water conditions, electricity, communal projects, and the way of reasoning just to name a few. More than sixty percent of the respondents said development is slow. This means there is a problem considering the number of talented youths and Kom intellectuals produced by Cameroun every year not exempting other talented and skilled youths in agriculture and other domains of the Kom

64 community. The constant conflicts and migrations of vital resources out of the community for succession reasons is a stumbling block to the Kom community according to responses obtained. As for question 10 which seeks to knowhow the rate of savings and investments successors can be assessed, the following results were obtained: 50% think the savings are insignificant, 32.5% think it is significant, 15% think it is very significant and 2.5% have no idea. The results above show that fifty percent believe that successors’ savings are significant while the other fifty think it is insignificant. The respondents have their reasons for saying so considering the successor’s negligent attitudes towards communal matters. Question 11 tries to find out whether the empowered youths through succession significantly contribute to development in Kom. 51.3% think their contributions are insignificant, 30% think they are significant, 15% think they are very significant while 3.7% don’t know. These results are almost similar to the results obtained about the assessment of their savings. From all the results gathered, there is no doubt that successors don’t really contribute to development in Kom. When a youth is aware that he is going to succeed an uncle’s wealth, he consciously or unconsciously becomes lazy and we all know development requires hard work. In a nutshell, their savings if they exist are more or less insignificant to the development of the community considering the level of development. Findings about question 12 which seeks to judge the extent to which Kom youths can go to purchase power through matrilineal succession gave the following results: 45% of stakeholders are of the opinion that the purchasing power is High, 25.6% say it very high,19.4% say it is average, 10% think the purchasing power is low. According to the results above, the stakeholders clearly show their knowledge on the extent to which some youths go to purchase power through succession. This goes a long way to explain the number of jobless and lazy youths hovering around the Belo ‘three corners’ during school hours and odd ours, the number of youths quitting the community due to succession grudges, the fact that some youths pray for their uncles to die so that they can succeed their property, the numerous succession crises and customary court cases and the non acceptance to stay back home and participate in community projects. Stakeholders opinions were also considered on the question: ‘What do you recommend as appropriate measures to curb the negative influence of matrilineal succession in youth empowerment? It is an open-ended question of which almost all the respondents were willing to contribute their ideas. Most of them were for the fact that matrilineal succession should be

65 abolished. The others said matrilineal succession is their cultural heritage and that youths should be given strict conditions before inheritance such as the obtaining of at least a GCE A/L Certificate or CAP. Some others believe that if the Cameroon government ensures that all educated youths are employed it will galvanize idle youths to be interested in education, and the present jobless youths will not depend much on matrilineal succession for empowerment. Another group said that the council should start by ceasing all properties that are neglected by successors and giving to those who can cater for property and that if any successor does not contribute in community projects, then he should be deposed from his unit considering the stakes of Decentralization. From the analyses above, it therefore holds true that matrilineal succession in Kom affects youths in a negative way which hinders the progress of the community considering the fact that youths are the future of the Nation. Decentralization being in the head lines, it will be difficult for Kom youths to participate in community projects because they either depend on succession or they are frustrated by its outcome.

4.2. ANALYSES OF QUALITATIVE FINDINGS The qualitative research procedure was also used in this study to collect the necessary data from some resource persons. The data was gotten after administering the interview guide. The researcher was fortunate to be granted audience by some five important personalities of the community considering their mastery of this phenomenon. The questions asked were in relation to the research hypotheses and the various responses obtained were analyzed and conclusions drawn. 4.2.1. THE ROLE PLAYED BY MATRILINEAL SUCCESSION IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF KOM YOUTHS. In order to verify hypothesis one with the aid of our interview guide, the following question was asked to the resource persons: What is the role played by matrilineal succession in the development of Kom youths? To this question, a good number of responses were obtained from the resource persons. Being aware of the effectiveness of matrilineal succession, most of the resource persons were of the opinion that matrilineal succession generally has very negative effects on the moral and physical development of Kom youths in particular and the community in general. This was illustrated by the fact that, when a Man’s nephew brother or nephew inherits his property after his death, he most often neglects the deceased’ widow and the children. The youths who inherit get

66 over excited about their new wealth, while the children who have nothing are ill-treated and most often sent out of their parents houses to the streets. This morally affects them and distabilises their reasoning capacities. Furthermore, another negative role played by matrilineal succession in the development of youths is exposed in the fact that some of the neglected youths drop out of school due to the lack of means to further their education and sometimes are subdued to conflicts which leads to most deaths and sometimes the involvement of black magic ( witch craft). Being abandoned to themselves, they get exposed to the crude street life and either become delinquent, prostitutes for girls, armed robbers for others. Considering the moral decadence of our society, these youths left by themselves are exposed to illnesses such as HIV/AIDS, Malaria, Anemia and other forms of violence which go a long way to obstruct their reasoning factors and thereby hindering their self development and that of the community. The Kom community needs these youths healthy and strong considering the potentials each of them possess. Frustration of succession and moreover this type of succession is a stumbling block to the development of most youths who are considered the future of the nation.

4.2.2. SHORTCOMINGS OF MATRILINEAL SUCCESSION IN YOUTH EMPOWERMENT IN THE KOM COMMUNITY. The specific research hypothesis two states that; Matrilineal succession has severe shortcomings in youth empowerment in the Kom community. The question in relation to this hypothesis was as follows; what are the shortcomings of matrilineal succession in youth empowerment in the Kom community? From the question asked above, the resource persons gave the following views. When talking about youth empowerment, it means the attitudinal, structural and cultural process whereby young people gain the ability, authority, and agency to make decisions and implement change in their own lives and the lives of other people in the community. It is to an extent an advantageous position of granted leadership to the fortunate youths through succession by the local authorities for certain domestic matters. To this effect, it was said from the onset that matrilineal succession has severe shortcomings on youth empowerment because the successors do not use these abilities and agency to implement change in their own lives and also take decisions that can be profitable to them and the entire community. It is known in the Kom community that when someone becomes a successor, he has a role to play in decision making

67 especially at the quarter levels. They have to work hand in glove with the quarter heads so as to take important decisions for the community’s interest. Those interviewed also said the fact that these successors do not exploit the opportunities given them by the community, makes some communal project to slow down because they have the power to mobilise their immediate entourage to action and who can in turn motivate the other community members. The resource persons were also touched by the attitudes of some successors because these ones don’t care about the well being of others in their decision making as they are often very selfish. They also said that the traditional authorities should have instituted laws so as to properly orient these successors and anyone who goes contrary should be deprived of all he has. Considering the opinions of the resource persons above, it can be said that matrilineal succession has severe short comings on youth empowerment as it doesn’t even consider educational levels or technical levels before granting agency to successors and this is slowing down development.

4.2.3. CONTRIBUTIONS OF YOUNG SUCCESSORS TO THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE KOM COMMUNITY The specific research hypothesis three of this study states; Young successors in Kom contribute significantly to the socio-economic development of their community. Qualitative data was collected concerning this hypothesis through the question: How do the young successors in Kom contribute to the socio-economic development of their community? The opinions of the resource persons all drifted towards the same direction which was the fact that most successors do not significantly contribute to development in Kom. The reasons they gave was that most youths hang around jobless in the corners since they know that their uncle’s property legally belongs to them. When they finally succeed in grasping the property, they do little or nothing to maintain them and these properties are neglected year after year. Many succeeded compounds in Kom are neglected as the successors do nothing to add or subtract from it and this hinders development. In order for development to be effective, these youths need to contribute voluntarily and out of their own means in the building process of Kom. They are mostly school drop outs and since they inherit what they didn’t work for, they hardly know how to mange it. The fact that they are contented with what they acquire doesn’t instigate them to work hard and what they forget to know that in order for durable development to be achieved, they

68 need to participate in community building with their talents, skills and other abilities for the benefit of the community and that of future generations. Those youths who are driven out of the community due to succession are discouraged and hardly ever think of going back to the community to contribute their intellectual and developmental skills for progress. Most parents due to the successor’s attitudes prefer to invest more in other towns for their children’s benefits. The constant emigration of human and material resources out of the community and the constant conflicts and fear by some elites to build and invest in the community is as a result of successor’s egoistic attitudes and this is seriously hindering development in the Kom community. The successor’s living standards are low and their savings and investments are inevitably affected. Analyzing the above information got from the resource, it is clear that for many, for the Kom community to develop socio-economically, a lot of financial, physical participation, and efficient management of available resources especially in community projects needs to be done. The Kom population and especially its youths need to be united and work extremely hard so as to effectively and efficiently see the goals of the Decentralization idea a success for the community’s good. The Kom community therefore has to derive a strategy of trashing out the negative effects matrilineal succession has on youth empowerment and socio-economic development of the Kom community. Conclusion can be drawn from the above interview that the building of the Kom youth’s capacities and the effective sensitization of the misled youths will go a long way to change their mentalities and ensure their effective and efficient participation in the socio-economic development process through matrilineal succession.

4. 3. VERIFICATION OF THE RESEARCH HYPOTHESES In this section, the researcher rounds up chapter four with the analyses of the findings presented and interpreted in the previous sections. This section will also give guidelines to permit the researcher validate or debunk the research hypotheses. The specific hypotheses are validated depending on the information collected form the sampled population.

4.3.1. VERIFICATION OF SPECIFIC RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS ONE The research hypothesis One is: ‘There is a significant role played by matrilineal succession in the development of Kom youths’. For the verification of this proposition, four questions were formulated. Question one which sought to know whether matrilineal succession is

69 effective showed that more than 90% acknowledged the fact that it is effective in Kom. In question two which tried to know if the people like the practice, most of the stakeholders chose No. The third question tried to find out whether successors merit their heritage and most of them denied it. The last question on this hypothesis which was question four came to confirm the hypothesis since more than 60% of the total population rejected the fact that matrilineal is good for the development of Kom youths. Looking at the results of the questions above, a high percentage of the population was able to identify the indicators of underdevelopment which were all the reasons why youths depend on succession and also why they don`t sufficiently exploit its advantages. The analysis showed that the hypothesis was not confirmed even though a small proportion of the sampled population could not see the effects of matrilineal succession in the development of Kom youths. The undesirable effects had by matrilineal succession in the psychological stability of some youths makes them reluctant to contribute to community development as they are frustrated and discouraged by the greed of others. This confirms the necessity to fight against the underdevelopment of youths due to succession.

4.3.2. VERIFICATION OF SPECIFIC RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS TWO The second research hypothesis states that: ‘Matrilineal succession has severe shortcomings in youth empowerment in the Kom community’. Question 5, 6, 7, and 8, of the general questionnaire verified this hypothesis. For question 5, about fifty percent of the sampled population was of the opinion that youth empowerment through matrilineal succession is average. Results from question 6 show that most youths depend on succession. As for question 7, about sixty percent agree that matrilineal succession negatively affects youths. Lastly, question 8 came to partially confirm the hypothesis by presenting fifty eight of respondents who approve that matrilineal succession has shortcomings in youth empowerment. Another important finding is that there are some powers given to successors. First of all, he is respected no matter the age or size, he has the right to decision making in his compound and in some quarter matters. A ‘chop chair’ is next to the quarter head so there are certain decisions that they can make together. The respect the successors get from their family members is enormous especially if he succeeded a very rich uncle.

Moreover, poverty and poor standards of living are one of the reasons why young successors depend on succession. Due to the level of poverty in Kom, some children are not opportune to have quality education either because the means are less or are not available at all. From the above analysis, the research hypothesis two was confirmed. This was seen from the opinions of respondents that matrilineal succession has severe shortcomings in youth empowerment and this also hinders development. Hence the successors need to be brought to order considering that the local authorities deemed it necessary back from of old to give the opportunity of succession to the maternal side because they knew the successors from the mothers side were true sons of the soil and that they could impact peoples lives with enriching ideas them and as such gave them the power and agency to make important decisions that will be beneficial to the community. It is rather unfortunate that matrilineal succession has instead turned out to be a conflict generator. This situation needs to be revised.

4.3.3. VERIFICATION OF SPECIFIC RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS THREE The third research hypothesis states that:‘ Young successors in Kom contribute significantly to the socio-economic development of their community’. Four questions were asked as well so as to verify this hypothesis. The first question was to get answers concerning the assessment of the development process in Kom. Most of the respondents assessed it to be slow. Question 9 sought to assess the rate of savings and investments of successors and it turned out their savings are average. Question 10 on the other hand tried to find out whether empowered youths significantly contribute to development and majority said their contributions are insignificant. Furthermore, question 11 wanted to know the level of the purchasing of power through succession in the Kom community and it was revealed that the purchasing of power is high. Hypothesis three was therefore not confirmed and validated as true by virtue of the above analyses. When youths over depend on succession for a living, their production and construction capacities become dormant thereby crushing the chances for socio-economic development in the community since the youths constitute the greater part of the total population and also possess instrumental skills and developmental opinions for their immediate benefit and that of up coming generations. When look at Bronislaw Malinowski’ (1884-1942) Functionalism, everyone has a part to play in the society and there needs to be coherence for smooth functioning. When we

71 relate this to our context, we see that the successors need to contribute significantly to the community’s development process alongside the participation of the entire community as well. Conclusively, it can be said that the general research hypothesis which states that: ‘There is a significant effect of matrilineal succession in youth empowerment in the Kom community’ was confirmed. Generally, this work has revealed that many negative socio-economic effects of development in the Kom community are partly as a result of the negative consequences of matrilineal succession. Unfortunately, the inhabitants of the community do not fully know they are the cause of their slow rate of development. From the interviews conducted and observations, it was established that most Kom people who encourage the fact that young people in Kom should depend on succession for a living are also doing so because they are ignorant, while the other young successors who eagerly wait for their uncles to die are just lazy. In Kom, when a future successor sees the investments made by uncles (those they are to succeed) they start neglecting their education saying it is not necessary because his uncle is working for both of them. It was also found out that the employment rate in Cameroon is too low. When the youths are educated at the secondary and university levels, there are no jobs that can permit them have high or moderate living standards so they turn to cling towards what has already been designed and when they obtain the succession rights, they start neglecting the deceased persons family and children. They misuse the acquired properties because they don’t know the value and since everything is already made for them, they become lazy and by so doing, retard the growth of the area. Therefore, a lot of mobilization, education and sensitization has to be carried out by youth and Animation Counsellors to rescue the Kom community in order to speed up socio-economic development.

Figure 2 : Photo of the Researcher finding out about the Kom culture through Participant observation

Figure 3 : Photo of some interviewed persons

Source : Field work

CHAPTER FIVE RECOMMENDATIONS, ROLE OF THE

ANIMATOR, AND THE ANIMATOR’S INTERVENTION PLAN (PROJECT)

This chapter is concerned with recommendations to the stakeholders of this research piece. Also, considering that the researcher arrived at findings after data collected from stakeholders were analyzed concerning the effects of matrilineal succession in youth empowerment, recommendations are made in this chapter which can help in ameliorating the prevailing situation so as to foster socio-economic development. Further in this chapter, the role of the YAC as an agent of positive social change in the Kom community is clearly outlined. To crown this chapter, the action plan of a professional youth animator is presented since he is regarded as the main social worker in handling specific deplorable developmental issues.

5.1. RECOMMENDATIONS TO STAKEHOLDERS In order for youth empowerment through matrilineal succession to be properly apprehended and treated by Kom youths for rural development, strategic measures have to be taken to re orient the mentalities of these youths. Regarding the fact that decentralization is the Cameroonian State’s vision which defines the strategies to attaining some specific development objectives through the transfer of power to the peripheries, the ideas of these youths become indispensable. At the dawn of effective decentralization, it is worth noting that, the presence of wise, talented and skilled labour in executing developmental projects will likely be concretized and this will aid in satisfying the aspirations of the Kom community in terms of social, economic, cultural and political needs. This implies effective participation of the community in the conception and executing of such projects. After carrying out scientific investigations on the effects of matrilineal succession in Kom, it is necessary to provide some recommendations which will help to remedy the situation. Recommendations result from the observations of the phenomenon by the researcher, the probing into the works of other authors in relation to this investigation and the findings drawn from analyses and interpretations of collected data. 5.1.1. RECOMMENDATIONS TO YOUTHS AND PARENTS Recommendations will be made in this section to the youths in view of reversing the over dependency of youths in matrilineal succession and the mal appropriation of empowerment through matrilineal succession so as to foster socio economic development in the Kom community. Since the parents are also concerned, recommendations are equally addressed to them so that they can revise the effects of the empowerment of youths through matrilineal succession and in this light look for alternatives to solve the socio-economic problems.

- TO YOUTHS Youths can appropriately organize themselves in groups and association so as to share ideas with one another. Through this, experiences can be shared and information disseminated on strategies to fight unemployment. This is with the consideration that unemployment was identified as a major cause of over dependence on succession. It is globally known that unity is strength, so too, associative movements are well known for providing better chances of acquiring loans from credit unions, support devices from NGOs that can enable young people make a living. However, given the fact that most youths are ignorant of the advantages which emanate from groups and associations, the researcher proposes popular education aside from general education so as to educate them on certain aspects concerning them and their development. The researcher recommends that sensitization be done to help youths eradicate their laziness and greedy attitudes and learn to be one another’s keeper. Some of those who are victims of this type of succession and prefer to abandon their motherland for other areas out of frustration should also be sensitized because if they keep leaving, the area will one day be deserted considering the prevailing situation. The researcher also suggests that youths in Kom should undertake vocational and technical education rather than rely too much on general education. They need to frequent the ministry of employment and vocational training so as to be informed about eventual job opportunities. Successors should try to come up with effective, efficient strategies and projects which can contribute significantly to development. Youths should be encouraged and advised not to over depend on other people’s property. They should learn to know that they can survive without necessarily depending on others property or wealth. They need to exploit their creativity and also engage themselves in agriculture, hunting, fishing in order to make ends meet. They can also join self reliant development associations in Kom like BADU, NADA, who have great development strategies and plans.

- TO PARENTS. In order to combat the negative effects of matrilineal succession on youths in Kom, the parents need to be sensitized on the prevailing situation. Parents need to encourage their children to work for their own future no matter the difficulties. Charity begins at home as it is known; parents should therefore educate their children not to depend on others property but embark on agriculture and other profit making economic activities so as to replace the already aging farmers.

Parents should teach their children the best education they need concerning such matters. During the researcher’s enquiries, it was discovered that some parents are the ones encouraging their children to be lazy. Some even go to the extent of showing their children the land and properties they will succeed. They assure these children that everything belongs to them making them become lazy, sit around the ‘three corners Belo’ daily doing nothing useful and when they finally become successors, they can hardly maintain what they have and therefore cannot foster development. Moreover, they create enmity within their lineage which cannot aid in prosperity either. The greater part of sensitization should be done with parents so that they can in turn teach their children further.

5.1.2. RECOMMENDATIONS TO YOUTH WORKERS AND EXTERNAL ELITES In this section, the researcher will present some recommendations to youth workers and elites who are considered masters of all problematic situations for socio-economic development.

- TO YOUTH WORKERS. The youth workers should carry out massive mobilization and sensitization programs in order to orientate the minds of the youths. They also need to expanciate civic education on the local scale. Since an animator is a social worker, it is believed that through his intervention, solutions will be catalyzed. In this way, the population will join forces together and combat the negative impact matrilineal succession has on development in Kom. Youth workers should conceive and organize interesting cultural and leisure programmes that will reinforce solidarity, civic education and the spirit of patriotism. In such programmes they can do moral video projections which mostly deal with poor attitudes of successors to educate the Kom population. During such projections, quizzes on popular education, and prizes can be awarded which can aid winners run petit trades of their own. This can serve as a moral lesson to so many irresponsible successors. - TO EXTERNAL ELITES. The researcher understood that most of these external elites are victims of frustrations caused by matrilineal succession. Instead of these external elites being on a constant walk, they should sit back and do something that will at least give them powers to participate in the development process of their fatherland (Kom). Such gestures will be pleasing to their ancestors who will feel proud of them because despite the trials, they still make efforts to contribute to the

77 welfare of Kom. Elites can contribute their experiences to the development of Cameroon in general and Belo in particular without necessarily physically relocating. This can be achieved only if through popular education, and other techniques of animation, sensitization is done. The external elites need to be educated especially towards learning how to control the situation posed by youths who are empowered through matrilineal succession in Kom. If this is done through their aid, the Kom people can dream of a division that can boast of modern urban centers, beautiful story buildings, with electricity and portable running water for all, with citizens healthy and children decently educated. They have to prepare themselves properly to welcome and take advantage of the intensifying decentralization process, pool their efforts, intellect and know-how for the solutions of their problems. They need to be enlightened about the thoughts of the iconic figure of Nelson Mandela who said in one of his numerous speeches that in life, every man has twin obligations: obligations to his family and obligations to his community. Therefore, sons and daughters of Belo Sub-Division should work together for development.

5.1.3. RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GOVERNMENT AND THE KOM TRADITIONAL AUTHORITIES. Considering that the government is the main stakeholder in the development process, this section of the study will present the recommendations to the government in view of remedying the effects of matrilineal succession on youth empowerment in order to accelerate socio- economic development. The researcher proposes that the government should offer the people of Belo the necessary institutes of education which will be a good measure to change the prevailing situation which is the fact that most youths depend on succession to make a living, successors hardly contribute to development in Kom even after being empowered through matrilineal succession. Expanding better educational infrastructure in Belo can greatly contribute to change the ideas of youths who depend a lot on succession. The education should also be made cheaper considering the villagers standards of living. Equally, the government should increase the capacities of funding these schools up to a reasonable standard so that only a very tiny fraction will not be able to afford. They should promote good projects, resolute influential government activities, selfless and committed involvement of the Belo sons and daughters, setting up a committee to follow-up development activities, public relations and communication. Industrialization on its part, with notable exceptions of the Ndawara highland tea estate is clearly not commensurate with the

78 potentials of the Sub-Division. The weight of tradition is taking its toll on the division’s development. The harrowing trend among young people because of joblessness, illiteracy and property, related discontentment is a cause of the increase in crime wave amongst youths, and is showing little signs of abating the problematic empowerment of these young people from which ever direction they have to be re-orientated for these actors to play their rightful role in the development of the Kom community. Councils will have to put improvisation and routine behind them and embark on real development planning, which will entail the drawing up of short and medium term development plans that reflect and address the priority development needs of the Kom people and are inspired and enriched by the conditions and circumstances of all the people without exemptions. The realization of these plans however will be compromised if councils continue to depend heavily on the state. Decentralization requires local governments to be able to count on their own human, material and financial resources and use them judiciously for local development. Again, there is an urgency to radically shift political and managerial structures towards output performance. This calls inevitably for an equal urgent re-education of the Kom people in knowing what they want in the civic exercise of their rights to vote and choose their leaders. The Kom society will henceforth reflect the quality and caliber of leaders they mandate to pilot their development endeavours. In the same light, in order to speed up the rate of socio-economic development in Kom by reducing the over dependency of Kom youths on matrilineal succession and ensuring that those who benefit from succession effectively and efficiently participate in the development process, the government and the local rulers should encourage the freedom of exchange with the youths through associative groups on days like market days and during which the Fon’s representatives will be present as well as other decision makers of the Kom community.

5.2. THE ROLE OF THE ANIMATOR This part of the work will define animation and an animator will be highlighted. This part of the work will also transform the recommendations made by the researcher to a practical case which calls for there enforcement actions of an animator through interventions. It hereby involves the methods that can be used by the animator in curbing the effects of matrilineal succession in youth empowerment so as to foster socio-economic development. This section of the work also

79 presents the role of a YAC as an expert of the milieu and an agent of development, and finally an animator as an educator and facilitator.

5.2.1. DEFINITION OF ANIMATION AND AN ANIMATOR Loh (2012) says that Animation is a science that was born in the United States of America (USA) around the first half of the 20 th century. Two major factors account for this which are the political and economic consideration of the American society as well as in a research of applied social sciences are said to have goaded the birth. As for Mincof (2001) the term animate comes from a latin word “anima” which means “soul”. Therefore, animation can be defined as the science of giving an individual the aptitude to become independent. In the literal sense of the word, animation with its specific connotations in some recent grassroots works means educating the underprivileged people or creating an awareness in them to consider themselves as the principal actors in the lives and not as subordinates to other social classes, to stand up with high esteem, to develop a critical understanding of the conditions of their lives and to express and assert themselves through collective action to meet life’s challenges (Rahman, 1993). Animation generally is geared towards the spirit of collective action and solidarity in a group and thus explains why we are going to examine the animator’s plan of action that can ensure the reduction of the effects matrilineal succession has on youth empowerment in the Kom community thereby endorsing socio-economic development. As for Lele (1985: 59) and Loh (2012), to animate means “to educate by establishing a pedagogic relationship that offers more or less equal responsibilities between interacting partners.” This establishes a narrow relationship between communities, groups or a community which allows individuals of a group or that community to become aware of the problems that concern their well-being and to organize the individuals in a logical manner to working collaboration towards the resolution of the problems identified to ensure development, that which is able to bring social, cultural and economic changes in the community through joint actions. Animation has a major role to adapt individuals to a new form of social life. This is due to the fact that, two complementary aspects which are collective and individual development can be referred in animation. The YAC is a social worker and guide in the informal education of the population. The public sector and the private sector may help people generally in a formal manner, but the YAC looks at human beings from every dimension of life. Gillet (1995) describes an animator as a

80 facilitator of relations, someone capable of understanding social sciences in relation to his interest and desire and in the perspective of promoting social development. It is his multidisciplinary training and exquisite technical knowhow that should be exploited to re-orientate youth empowerment through matrilineal succession towards development in Belo Sub-Division. The intervention strategies of an animator are mobilization, organization, orientation, training, and integration are materialized through the use of non-directive methods with the aid of animation techniques. With respect to this study, the animation technique to be used shall be educative talks to help educate and sensitise the various stakeholders and the local population on the negative effects of matrilineal succession in youth empowerment in the Kom community. It shall also call for joint participation of all the inhabitants of the community in seminars, workshops, descending information meetings and advocacy in view of local development projects and programmes. It is the animator’s multidisciplinary training that should be exploited to help young successors follow a profitable part for development in the Kom community..

5.2.2. THE ROLE OF AN ANIMATOR ADEVELOPMENT AGENT. The Youth and Action Counsellor being a facilitator, mediator and guardian is an expert in his area of jurisdiction. He scarcely undertakes any activity without understanding the specificities of his domain of duty. To achieve this, he uses the animation techniques in studying the milieu. The study creates awareness to him on the political social and economic values of the environment of intervention. Taking the impact of youth empowerment through matrilineal succession in Kom for instance, he weighs the negative and positive impacts it has on the environment and population. He further tries to diagnose the causes and consequences this situation can have on the area. Being a skilled worker and using the non-directive method, he will develop strategies that will help eradicate the negative effects surrounding youths who depend on matrilineal succession for a living. As a development agent, the Y.A.C remains the central figure in helping his target population discover opportunities. He educates populations on the latest developments and happenings nationwide. Considering the point that our findings disclosed unemployment, laziness and greed as main influence on youths over dependence on matrilineal succession, the Y.A.C has to assist youths so as to help them make use of their creativity and entrepreneurial imaginations that can integrate them into social groups for self employment. He has to be the bridge between the Kom youths and the outer world, not leaving out development partners. He can help the

81 youths to be ambitious, to cultivate heavy efforts, and to be confident of their abilities. Amongst his numerous duties, he also has to be present at youth empowerment structures for the socio- professional integration of these, while explaining the specialties of each of these structures, the areas of jurisdiction and intervention of these structures. He can for instance bring to limelight the role of the Ministry of Professional Training and Employment, Ministry of Social Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. In order to succeed in offering his qualitative and quantitative services to young successors in Kom and the entire Kom population, the animator has to be competent, rely on a number of animation techniques and strategies to look for better solutions so as to ensure sustainable development. This will constitute a giant step towards resolving the related problem of matrilineal succession. In the Cameroon in general and in the Kom community in particular, individuals do not clearly understand or have a culture of working in innovative and creative groups. In this research, the YAC as an expert in organization will help restructure groups, give youths civic education, as well as other stakeholders and will also help discuss the possibilities of exploiting opportunities around them. For the youths to effectively take advantage of the empowerment gained through matrilineal succession in Kom, the YAC has to mobilize the population especially the youths: organize workshops; grant create means for educative talks; carry out sensitization campaigns and use other techniques and strategies. Through these techniques of animation, he has to work on practical themes that can help appropriately empower the target population and also know the effects of matrilineal succession on youth empowerment inn Kom. The YAC can also use multimedia services to sensitise, to mobilize and to educate the population since the Kom community has an average communication network. This will help raise the people’s living standards to expected levels, thus, effectively re-orientating the corrupt minds of youths concerning empowerment through matrilineal succession in the Kom community.

5.2.3. THE ROLE OF AN ANIMATOR AS AN EDUCATOR AND A FACILITATOR Considering the fact that in the Kom community, general education is common, the animator’s work of orientation is absolutely needed. He needs to orientate and guide the stakeholders and the local population of the Kom community in general towards choosing the best educational systems and the activities they wish to undertake. He needs to orientate those who have undergone professional training to register with the ministry of employment and vocational training since it creates job opportunities. Considering the fact that many Kom youths

82 whether educated or not are not ignorant of the ways to get loans in order to be established after acquiring skills in a particular field, he needs to orientate and guide them on the existence of the National Employment Fund N.E.F that gives loans at a low interest rate as well as other credit unions around Boyo Division and Bamenda. Being a facilitator, the YAC encourages grassroots development and aids the population achieve their set objectives. In this facilitation process, the members of the Kom community will be at the center of their own development. He ensures that the development programmes have as objective to effectively ameliorate the living conditions of the citizens in the area. He facilitates cooperation between the government and other development partners who wish to carry out pertinent projects in the community. Considering that developing countries scarcely have conceived and adaptable projects to their area, the animator’s role is to help them choose based on their scale of preference the most enriching and sustainable projects. He has to make sure that the participator approach is well exploited to ensure sustainable development since the people will always look back at their contributions in the realisation of such projects. The animator can also play the role of a mediator between the government and the Kom population. As an attentive listener, the animator is better placed to handle the effects of matrilineal succession in youth empowerment since he works hand in glove with the population and understands their situation. More so, sensitization programmes should be put up where civic education is emphasized. During such programmes, human resources from different sectors of the economy should be invited where solutions shall be provided on how to handle matrilineal succession, youth empowerment and its effects on the socio-economic development of the Kom community. 5.3. THE ANIMATOR’S INTERVENTION In this part, the researcher will critically analyze the animator’s intervention to remedy the youth empowerment through matrilineal succession phenomenon in favour of development. An animator’s intervention in this work like in most developmental situations has a systematic procedure to be followed accordingly. It shall therefore begin with the mobilization of the various stakeholders of the Kom community. Thereafter, these stakeholders will be sensitized on the negative effects of matrilineal succession in youth empowerment on the socio-economic development of Kom. Furthermore, the last stage of in the intervention will be the building of the Kom people’s capacities in relation to the issues at stake. It is worth mentioning that this

83 intervention is designed to be effected within a period of (3) years. It will be presented in the Gants intervention plan where technical intervention forms will be designed at all the levels. 5.3.1. MOBILISATION AND SENSITISATION OF STAKEHOLDERS In socio-economic development or community development, mobilization denotes a process whereby people are prepared psychologically for a change. It is a movement to galvanize people for action towards development. Mobilisation is important to activate people in the right attitude towards programmes of development. This motivates the community or group to effectively utilize available human and material resources. Being the first important stage in the animator’s intervention, this process shall be realized within a one year period. In this research work, mobilization will involve the pulling of available resources of the Kom community for socio-economic development purposes. It fosters the willingness of individuals to participate in community development. Once the people are mobilized, they will be involved in the planning and execution as well as the monitoring and evaluation of development programmes of the community. In this way, the stakeholders of the Kom community will be able to diagnose related problems in socio-economic development and together as a united group, they will look for solutions to this undesired situation instead of migrating out of the area. At this stage of mobilization, the interest of the people in their own affairs shall be enlisted. Such is in order to achieve better health services, economic productivity, mass literacy and physical development among others. Through mobilization, all age groups of the Kom community will be involved. This is because all members and organizations are stakeholders in ensuring participation of the community to address problems like poverty, health, housing and literacy. This means, all the government and local authorities, the private and religious bodies as well as people from all works of life will actively and freely participate in discussions and decisions affecting their welfare. Through this process, available resources in this community will be identified under the control of a piloting committee spear headed by the animator. This committee works in close collaboration with the Kom elites, the decentralized local collectivities, and all the socio- economic and professional authorities in the community. The animator will therefore work in synergy with all the stakeholders of the community so as to bring out qualitative and quantitative data surrounding the issues at stake in Kom.

Mobilisation therefore, creates awareness for the collective responsibility of the members of the Kom community to solve their problems of socio-economic development instead of depending on succession. Mobilisation brings about change of attitudes and behaviours through the acquisition of new knowledge about specific problems, situation or tasks confronting a community like Kom. It stimulates acceptance of new values and also stimulates the production of goods and services for the nation’s development. Mobilisation therefore shall include the mass media, religious and socio-cultural organizations, schools, youth organizations, social clubs and others. Having mobilized the government and the decentralized local collectivities concerning the effects of matrilineal succession in youth empowerment, it will be senseless if these individuals are sensitized on problematic issues and their repercussions on the Kom community. In the animator’s intervention plan, he envisages sensitization after having mobilized the members of the community. Sensitisation is therefore the very important at this level because through it, the various stakeholders’ consciences are awakened concerning the existing problem. Also, they shall work together with YAC to come out with a variety of consequences caused by the empowerment of youths through matrilineal succession and together look for the solutions to remedy the situation. In order for this sensitization to be effective, the animator has to start by creating awareness in the different stakeholders of the Kom community on the youth empowerment through matrilineal succession phenomenon. Here, the YAC has to skillfully bring out the numerous negative consequences of this phenomenon, after drawing the much attention laid on young successors who are unable to cater for what they inherit and also those who migrate due to frustrations It shall be made known to the inhabitants that misappropriation of others property and not contributing at all to the betterment of these facilities even after being empowered through matrilineal succession is tantamount to abject poverty in the nearest future. In this light, sensitization has to make it a clear verdict that over dependency on succession is for lazy people and not being able to make good use of the opportunities offered by succession even make it worst for the socio-economic growth of the community. The frustrations caused by matrilineal succession as a whole to many families relents individual efforts in fostering development in the Kom community. The next step of sensitization after having alerted the population is to create their awareness on the consequences of the empowerment of youths through matrilineal succession in

85 the socio-economic development of the Kom community. This will permit the people to see the degree of the negative effects of youth empowerment through matrilineal succession These consequences which are clear exhibits to this phenomenon can be illustrated through the population’s living standards, health and sanitary situations, poverty, unemployment, mass illiteracy, selfishness, the practice of lazy habits just to name a few. The effects of matrilineal succession in youth empowerment frustrates the underpowered youths thereby forcing some of them and their skills out of the Kom community. Most of those who leave the community due to this, always possess numerous skills which can be exploited in the conceiving and mounting of community projects for the benefit of all. There even exist conflicts between family members creating disunity and in order to participate in community building, there is a need for constant solidarity. Having created awareness in the stakeholders on these consequences, the animator has to work with this population together to look for solutions to the problem. As mentioned in the first part of this chapter, instead of lazing about and waiting to possess opportunities through matrilineal succession, it is more practical for the youths to make good use of their own creative spirits and create other facilities for other generations and above all make efforts to cater for what they gain. They need to make good use of the power given them by succession rather than creating chaos. They need to feel one another’s pain, be united so as to come together and actively participate to build a better Kom community. Note should be take that each ad every one be he poor or rich, literate or illiterate, skilled or unskilled, has a role to play in the community’s development. This implies that together, they need to maximize the different talents and skills embedded in them and to exploit the available natural resources for development. Under the guidance of the animator, it will solve the social, economic and political conflicts, thereby widening the growth and development process of the Kom community. The sensitization process of stakeholders shall run for a period of one year in the Kom community. During this period, many sensitization campaigns will be done. Some of the means of sensitization shall include the mass media, print media, schools, cultural and religious organizations, social clubs just to name a few. It is worth mentioning here that the local language shall be used when and where necessary. However, it will be a lost battle if stakeholders are mobilized, sensitized but are left out without capacities built in them to curb the youth empowerment through matrilineal succession and master mind their own development.

5.3.2. CAPACITY BUILDING OF THE STAKEHOLDERS As for Lisk (1996) and Loh (2012), capacity building designs an exhaustive process of offering intellectual resources necessary for the identification of development constraints on one part and the planning and management of development on the another part. This process implies the development and optimal utilization of human resources, putting in place of institutions and the creation of a political climate. This concept means therefore the development of human and institutional capacities. These capacities are necessary for optimizing effectiveness and the impact of institutions in management works, public administration, and promoting of enterprises, other private initiatives and others. On the bases of this definition and the evolution of a concrete situation in Cameroon in general and Kom in particular, the researcher prioritized the following domains for capacity building: - Youth integrative projects; - Management of local affairs ( effective decentralization); - Economic management ( mobilization of resources and the promotion of sustainable development); - Social integrative institutions for the development of positive values, patriotism, and unity through civic education; - Development of human resources ( to favour creativity, skilled labour, employment, increase in revenue, and poverty reduction); - Science and technology; - The promotion of enterprises (aimed at reinforcing the credibility of the private sector). The role of Universities and vocational schools in capacity building in this millennium especially in Cameroon cannot be minimized. Back from the days of the colonial masters, universities in Africa and Cameroon have built needed capacities for the management of institutions and the economy. It is rather unfortunate that today, this is history due to the dynamics of the political and economic environment of these institutions. The advancement of the developed countries since the second world war has been through harsh development of capacities both human and institutional. In fact the globalization phenomenon of the present age could not have been possible without development and application of knowledge and the institutional capacity to sustain it.

The animator and all development partners or community actors in Kom have to copy the example of countries like Germany and the United States of America, and also the developed and emerging nations of Asia. The development of these countries revealed the important role of universities, research centers, industries, foundations and the government has played in the institutionalizing of capacity building. Universities and research institutions in Europe and America demonstrate their social relevance not only through their research, but also through their contribution to meeting the needs of industries. An enabling environment for collaborating capacity building among the community of actors is important and the government should therefore recognize their important role in this. The under-utilization of existing capacities and the loss of some through the impact of matrilineal succession on youth empowerment in the Kom community partly accounts for underdevelopment. Most African countries constitute the poorest societies in the world as they show the lowest indicators of socio-economic development (World Bank, 1996). While the poverty in the Kom community can be attributed to many unrelated causes, the low level of capacity building indicators and above all the matrilineal succession practice. Also, it is argued that the recent rapid economic growth of the countries of Southeast Asia in the latter part of the 20 th century has been largely due to their deliberate policy on capacity building through investment in human capital and institutional building. Since human and institutional capacities are critical for the development, it becomes vital for all the interventions made or to be made by animators as agents of development after the mobilization and sensitization. One will like to argue that there exists a structural relationship between a society’s human and institutional capacity building effort and the national ability to engineer social and economic development. The link between building local capabilities and the abilities to respond to challenges is usually brought about in the process of learning and cooperation between institutions. This is thus because without the cooperation among the community actors and the necessary institutional framework for coordinating their activities, it may be impossible for a country like Cameroon to develop the required technological capacities for the global competition of the 21 st century Loh ( 2012). This process of the capacity building in Cameroon and the Kom community in particular in the animator’s intervention shall be carried out for a professional project.

5.3.3. PROFESSIONAL PROJECT

ANNUAL KOM YOUTH EMPOWERMENT FESTIVAL FOR THE REDUCTION OF SUCCESSION CONFLICTS AND THE PROMOTION OF LOCAL DEVELOPMENT

5.3.3.1. JUSTIFICATION AND CONTEXT

Cameroon is identical in a special way by its cultural diversity throughout her regions, divisions and sub-divisions. These cultures are very interesting but sometimes strange. The culture which is of most interest to us in this study is the matrilineal succession practised by the Kom people of Boyo Division and precisely Belo sub-division of the North West Region of Cameroon. Kom which falls under Boyo division is a small West African kingdom situated in the central highlands of the North West Region of Cameroon. It has an area of 280 square miles and occupies a high mountain terrain having an average height of 5000m above sea level. Its capital is Laikom, with Fundong as its administrative headquarters. Kom has an approximate population of about 300,000 people. The fondom which represents Boyo division has 42 villages and three Sub-Divisions which are; Belo, Fundong and Njinikom. Such a demarcation was respected during the creation of administrative units in 1992. Belo Sub-Division which is the researchers’ area of study has a population of about 80,000 people, youths constituting more than half of the population. The villages found in Belo sub-division are 19 in number. After research was done in the Kom community, it was discovered that many youths depend on succession to make a living but in the end, they only help to draw the whole community backwards in terms of development. The effects of matrilineal succession in the empowerment of and development of young people in Kom is portrayed by the inability of these youths to participate in communal projects, foster their contributions to the social, cultural and economic development of their locality. Considering the advent of decentralization through law N° 2004/017 of 22 nd July 2004 by the Cameroonian government to promote local development, the negative energy surrounding youth empowerment through matrilineal succession is contrary

89 to their exquisite developmental vision. In this light, three hypotheses were formulated and verified in the course of this research and revelations were made that; - Matrilineal succession doesn’t help in developing Kom youths; - Matrilineal succession has severe shortcomings in youth empowerment in the Kom community; - Young successors in Kom do not contribute significantly to the socio-economic development of their community. Judging by the discoveries above and considering the stakes of decentralization in Cameroon today, sufficient efforts need to be made by members of the community so as to ensure the effective and efficient participation of every one in communal projects and the socio-economic development of the Kom community before the year 2035. For this reason therefore, we are proposing a project titled: ANNUAL KOM YOUTH EMPOWERMENT FESTIVAL FOR THE REDUCTION OF SUCCESSION CONFLICTS AND THE PROMOTION OF LOCAL DEVELOPMENT

(Our project will obviously have three phases which will be presented in the part II below)

5.3.3.2. PROCEDURE : THE FESTIVAL IN BELO SUB-DIVISION Various activities will be carried out during this youth empowerment festival to unite the Kom youths, educate them, train them and create a forum whereby they will iron out their differences, reinforce solidarity, and be able to make decisions that will permit foster development and reduce poverty. This Festival will have three phases which are; The preparatory phase of the activity (A), Its realisation (B) and its evaluation(C).

• PREPARATORY PHASE. This phase will involve the following: The theme choice, the resource persons, the population involved, the methods used, the pedagogic materials, the site of the activity, the realisation periods, and the mobilization strategies.

- THE THEME CHOICE We have chosen an annual Youth empowerment Festival on the theme ‘Reduction of succession conflicts and promotion of development in Kom community’. This theme arises due to the discoveries made in the course of a research about the effects of matrilineal succession in youth empowerment and the socio-economic development of Kom. Due to the discoveries made about the negative influence matrilineal succession has on most youths and the development of the community, we intend to dialogue with some pillar members of the Kom community so as to together help them find solutions to this problem. - RESOURCE PERSONS They will include Ministerial departments, Local authorities, Elites, the Entire Kom population and most especially Kom youths world wide without excluding animators and interested Cameroonians.

- METHODS We will proceed in informing the population through communications on the various market days, inter-quarter sports encounters, quarter heads, successors, the churches, in bars and also through town criers with the authority of the traditional rulers. Moreover, we are envisaging some preparatory meetings with traditional authorities and notables, administrative authorities such as the Divisional officer, the Mayor and other religious

91 authorities. We will also meet with leaders of associations like the BOSTA. It is worth noting here that these preparatory meetings will not only be to inform but also to actively involve them in the preparations of the activity. In other words, these meetings will be to mobilise and sensitize. (Mobilisation and sensitization forms are in the appendix) - PEDAGOGIC MATERIALS. -Posters; considering that our point of interest is major and that our population has been divided into three groups, posters will be pasted on the walls of the council, the Belo hall, some market sheds, schools, around the church premises. These posters will be pasted in the vernacular and in English language. - INTERVENTION SITE The sites retained for our project will be the Belo community hall, fields and a part of the market square. The choice of this sites are justified by the fact that they belong to the council and it is for the benefit of the entire community. They are airy and can contain a good number of people. - PERIOD This activity will be carried out during the third term holiday every year. The suitable days for the activity will be resting days because majority of the Kom are peasants so they will not be free on working days and market days. Three days will be chosen according to their schedules and the educative talks will be done in the evenings so as to permit them carry out their activities during the day and be free in the evenings from 4pm. The training sessions and games will be done in the morning periods. This festival will go on for three days to permit all the youths pass through all the workshops. - CONTACT STRATEGIES. Correspondence addressed to the Administrative authorities and local authorities not excluding sponsors and those sympathizing with us.

• EXECUTION PHASE OF THE ACTIVITY There will be a well drawn calendar to follow with specific programs. The plan of action will first of all be followed.

Table V : Logical framework of our project

OBJECTIVES INDICATORS MEANS OF VERIFICATION CRITICAL HYPOTHESES

General Objective

To promote Local development The fact that at the beginning Presence of a great number The busy schedule of and youth empowerment in the of each year, there is a of Kom youths at every Ministers and traditional Kom community. significant improvement in annual Youth Empowerment authorities leading to the living conditions in Kom Festival postponing of the date of the event Specific Objectives

1. Training and Promotion Youths auto employing Less percentage of youths in Denial of Sponsors to of entrepreneurial skills for themselves with their talents the job market finance the project auto employment

2. Eradicate succession -Customary courts not treating Few youths depending on conflicts succession matters their parents wealth to make -No land disputes and peace a living reigning in the community

3. Showcase the Kom Matrilineal succession culture Ways of life of the Kom culture know on a national scale being practised in other parts of Cameroon 4. Create a Forum for A distinct youth bureau A functional Youth Youths to express selected and voted by various Empowerment bureau put in Last minute themselves on political association members to advise place for youth affairs disappointments from the matters youths general organizing team

Critical illness of most 5. Encourage the Effective participation of Many Communal projects members of the comity and participation of youths youths in communal projects realized by youths eventual death of a key in communal projects member

6. Promote Patriotism No moral decadence in the Kom Youths recognized for

Kom community on the part of their good morals by putting the youths into action citizenship education and defending the colours of Cameroon

Failure to deliver Awaited results materials in time 1. Entrepreneurial projects Solid developmental projects Effective financing of Poor connections mounted and promoted mounted projects by the government leading to the explosion of by the government the venue

2. Succession conflicts A proper sense of A stop to succession conflicts eradicated responsibility engaged by youths Diffusion of aspects of the 3. The Kom culture known The Kom culture being a point Kom culture by the MINAC on the national and of interest to the Ministry of international scale Arts and culture

4. A youth forum put in Monthly meetings organized Activities organized by these place every year where by this group of youths to youths and problems being youths get to share their derive problem solving resolved problems and strategies experiences

5. The number of Kom Communal projects being youths participating in realized through youth’s Seeing youths participates in communal projects participation communal projects increased

6. Citizenship Education Effective citizenship education Mutual respect and citizenship put into practise education being done Activities MEANS COST 1. Organisation of Motivation of Youth’s 100. 000 frs CFA concours for best creativity and participation mounted projects

2. Award of prices to the Youth Mobilisation and 100. 000 frs CFA most active youths in sensitization campaigns communal projects Embezzlement of all funds especially successors Plea for Sponsors for financial 3.000. 000 frs CFA for the general organisation support addressed to the by a member of the MINJEC, MINAS, MINAC, organizing comity 3. Organisation of Subventions, Council’s traditional dances Support

4. Production of articles Traditional dance groups 500. 000 frs CFA and poems o n the Kom

culture Busses and other transportation 100. 000 frs CFA

means 5. Educative talks

Play grounds 100. 000 frs CFA 6. Games

7. Installations of needed Musical instruments 150. 000 frs CFA equipment

Contracts with musical artists 1.000.000 frs CFA

invitations TOTAL: 5. 050. 000 frs CFA

Table VI : Action Plan of the Project

N° MAIN ACTIVITIES OBJECTIVES AWAITED INDICATORS REALISATIO RESOURCES ACTIONS RESULTS N PERIOD Talk with the Ministerial All ministerial departments Mobilising resources departments ( MINJEC, mobilized MINAC, MINAS) Effective 01 MOBILISATION and Sponsors Participation of CAMPAIGN Traditional and administrative, local Talk with the Kom Make the entire private authorities and the traditional, and community authorities whole population EVERY YEAR private authorities participate in the mobilized project 03 MONTHS Lobbying for the Mobilise the Population’s local population’s population participation ( FROM MAY) participation Carry out an BEFORE THE Sensitisation of inventory and Administrative administrative and implicate all Authorities MONTH OF private authorities authorities implicated Seeing all the AUGUST Sensitisation of the Carry out an authorities and the municipal and inventory and Municipal population, aware, traditional involve municipal authorities interested and acting 02 SENSITISATION authorities and traditional involved in favor of the Budget from authorities project Sensitisation of the Carry out an local population inventory and Population - MINJEC implicate the local implicated population - MINAC Public affairs To build Youth’s Capacities built Youth management capacities empowerment Human resource Retain, resources Resources Participation in

development and promote retained development - MINAS sustainable development EVERY YEAR 03 Entrepreneurial Economic Reinforce the role of Role of private No dependence on - SPONSORS Training management the private sector sector the public sector DURING THE reinforced THIRD TERM Promotion of Favour employment, Poverty Standards of living - COUNCIL enterprises increase revenue and reduced ameliorated HOLIDAYS reduce poverty ANY DAY OF THE MONTH Organisation of Youth’s Compensations concours for best creativity made to creative OF AUGUST mounted projects Promote creativity motivated youths NOT

CORRESPON Educative Trash out all existing An end of DING TO THE exchanges problems in the Conflicts succession disputes community resolved and other problems MARKET especially the DAY succession problem Amelioration of Conferences Career building of Orientations Youths being able to relationships Kom youths given for career choose their field of 04 between youths building work (Associative life) Expositions Portray youths Showcase Culture showcased capacities in artistic culture domains Creation of a Build the leader ship Bureau created Bureau being special youth capacities functional bureau Theater for Educate youths Youths Exploitation of development educated development skills Cultural activities Cultural Displays Showcase culture Culture Visibility of displays 05 and Relaxation showcased activities Games Merge youth groups Togetherness Visible unity of groups Excursions Sight seeing Discoveries Relaxation

• EVALUATION PHASE Evaluation will be done before the activity, in the course of the activity and after the activity. - Evaluation before the activity It will consist in ensuring that all is set for the orientation of the envisaged activity. - Evaluation in the course of the activity It will consist in determining whether the activities programmed in the course of the festival are following the right order and see if adjustments need to be made when need be so as to reorient the course of the activities. - Evaluation after the activity It will consist in giving a general overview of all activities carried out during before during and after the festival. It will present the positive points as well as the limits of the project. This evaluation will permit the amelioration of future actions. At the end of the every annual festival, the actors and participants will need to fill an evaluation form.

GENERAL CONCLUSION

This research work had as objective to scrutinize and evaluate the effects of matrilineal succession in youth empowerment in the Kom community of Belo Sub-Division. Precisely, it seeks to know how matrilineal succession contributes to the empowerment and development of youths in Kom. Matrilineal succession is a culture of the Kom people but of recent, it has recorded very negative results in the development lane. This practice is very rare in Cameroon and has been of growing concern to those who hear about it for the first time. No matter this fact, the Kom people have accepted it but the problem remains that most youths do not make good use of these opportunities given to them to develop their community. As time goes on, the influence of matrilineal succession on youths contributes greatly to the wider problem of development and visible differences at the level of development and cooperation with other neighbouring villages. Equally, despite the developmental consequences of matrilineal succession on youths, there is no sensitization of indigenes of this Sub-Division on the impact of the ill appropriation of inherited goods hereby retarding growth and development. Popular education will hereby require the sensitization, education and creation of awareness of all stakeholders to develop strategies to remedy this situation. As earlier noted, the elites, some senior officials and administrative authorities have become very concerned about the negative and positive effects matrilineal succession has on youth empowerment and above all the development of the Kom community. Some cases of matrilineal succession problems have been registered and treated in local courts. During research, it was also discovered that most of the young successors do not handle the property they are left with properly. Those who have no chances of succeeding are most often negligent and migrate from one corner of the globe to another. The other youths who are aware of their succession status are generally lazy and incompetent making it difficult for the growth of Belo Sub-Division. The few educated youths who have mastery over strategic technical domains which can help in the advancement of the community, often relocate and make use of their diverse and efficient techniques in other areas and are more often exploited in one way or the other. This is a mighty blockage in the improvement of living conditions and development in Kom. The existing conflicts between the deceased person’s family, children and successors is another suppressing factor in the development lane. Equally, despite the developmental consequences on the negative apprehension of matrilineal succession by some Kom young

100 successors, there is no sensitization of the indigenes of Belo Sub-Division of the North West Region on these effects that threaten to stunt the overall development of the community. Through popular education and educative talks, sensitization can be done, which will create awareness in all stakeholders to develop strategies to re orientate the existing situation. There exist many articles by some concerned Kom people and victims of frustrations through this matrilineal succession that have been exploited from the internet concerning the fact that youths are so dependent on matrilineal succession and at the end, when they are actually granted the opportunity to make use of the benefits, most of them become even more than lazy. Due to these articles, indirect and direct speeches have been made to this effect and solutions arrived at such as that which stipulates that no successor has the right to sell landed property acquired through succession. Some of these types of frustrations afflicted by this kind of succession existed already but the Kom people learned to accept the practice. What is striking to many observers is how the property and family of deceased persons are sometimes treated by successors. The researcher wondered what may be at the origin of such unclean behaviours and discoveries were made that the push factors of this problem are situated at the economic level with many youths practically living in the job market and in poverty. At the socio-cultural and political levels, it can be noted that matrilineal succession is not a recent practice as it dates right back to the nineteenth century. It is therefore recognized and accepted by majority of the Kom people and also some powers and advantages are possessed by successors. This has reached its climax because there is high death rate by those of the older generations and also the level of poverty is appalling making it difficult for most Kom youths to be sufficiently educated. However, customary courts have developed strategies by which the victims of the matrilineal succession practice can be appeased, and freedom of expression has also been granted the youths of Kom so that they can write down what they think of this situation in articles which they paste on the internet for those who can read to do so. The Divisional officer and mayors of Belo Sub-Division on their own part advised some Kom elites so that they can in turn educate the others. This was during a meeting held in August 2010 at the Belo rural council which consisted in making propositions on the pertinent projects of the Belo community. In the Belo Sub-Division now-a-days, it has been observed that matrilineal succession is draining almost all the competent human resources of the Kom population. These competent young people have migrated to areas like Bamenda, Yaounde and Douala, where they become

101 business men, build sophisticated structures, raise their children there and these children become ignorant about their cultures. Some of these youths out of frustration even use funny indecent means just to travel out of the country. Few return home after sometime but majority invest their efforts in other countries of their choice. In has been revealed in this work that, sensitization needs to be done so as to reinforce the steps taken by the community’s officials and authorities to remedy the situation. This is because, discoveries were made that though most people are convinced that youths are over dependent on succession so as to earn a living due to unemployment and other rising matters, it was noticed that ignorance, inferiority complex and greed remain the driving forces of the horringeous effects matrilineal succession has on the empowerment of youths and the development of the community. The main objective of this research work was to scrutinize and evaluate the custom of matrilineal succession as practised by the Kom community of Belo Sub-Division. This work precisely probed into how this kind of succession contributes to the empowerment and development of Kom youths. The problem of this work was identified which consisted in the negative effects of matrilineal succession in the empowerment and development of young people in Kom. The main research question helped to analyze the impact of youth’s empowerment through matrilineal succession in the development of the Kom community. In order to make this work scientific, it underwent a systematic qualitative and quantitative approach of collecting and analyzing data. The analyzed data is based on the perceptions of stakeholders on the origin, consequences and societal views towards matrilineal succession in Kom. This was done using the descriptive statistical method. After presenting, analyzing and interpreting the data, it was evident that the research questions were verified and validated. Thus it became apparent that the Kom population of Belo Sub-Division needs to be educated, informed and inculcated the spirit of unity, love for one another’s property, patriotism and hard work so as to empower themselves. This research has shown that this can be done through sensitization and popular education. Confronted with the stakes of matrilineal succession such as: the fact that it minimizing investment, hard work, youths who fold their arms and wait for their uncles to die so that they can inherit, general family conflicts, discourages some parents from training their children since they are not their direct successors. There is also a high illiteracy rate and school drop outs among youths which needs to be trashed out. All this have become impediments for

102 infrastructural investment and development in general since most elites prefer to construct better houses for their children out of Kom. This work proposes that youths who are the main target should cultivate a creative and entrepreneurial spirit, make a choice of educational systems and the create youth groups that can easily gain sponsor for further socio-economic empowerment. They need to indulge in gainful socio-economic development activities, and also have to be educated and empowered in capacity building and self reliant projects. Through consistent education and training, youths are encouraged to form groups and associations where they will be drilled on how to write witty projects and lobby for sponsorship as well as drilled on leadership and management skills and income generating ventures. N.G.O.s can also assist the government in encouraging the Kom youths to carry out sustainable development projects. Despite all the limitations encountered by the researcher, one of the objectives of this work was to raise awareness to all stakeholders especially the government on the impact of matrilineal succession on the economic, social and political condition of Belo Sub-Division. Apparently, the government is not quite aware of the depth of the existing situation in Kom as far as matrilineal succession is concerned. It is a cultural practice that has its virtue yet it also has a lot of shortcomings as seen in the study. The overdependence of Kom youths on the benefits offered by succession has influenced and frustrated many other literate youths out of the Belo Sub-Division. Most of these youths have turned out to be engineers, teachers, doctors, counsellors, lawyers and due to bad memories, they find it difficult to return home and share their expertise with others. Some of these youths have also changed their cultural identities by naturalizing in foreign countries. Those who eventually leave the country find it difficult coming back home not just because their standards are too high but most of all because of the frustrations they encountered. Few return home but majority have no choice than doing tours round the world. There are no doubts that the consequences of matrilineal succession are very great now-a- days in Kom. Also the economic difficulties faced by our nation, has brought weighing impacts on the Kom community in particular and Cameroon in general. As such, it is has become an obsession for youths to move out and this is draining the Kom community of its very important human resources. This is often done hoping to find peace and escape future disappointments. This work postulates that with proper sensitization and popular education, the minds of Kom people especially youths will be inculcated the need for hard work, unity and success which

103 eventually leads to community’s development. If this is done, all Kom children from far and near will join efforts and improve the living standards of the Belo Sub-Division. This work has shown that overdependence on succession no matter the kind of succession is not good because we can never really know the worth of what we have not worked for. If we don’t know the worth, then we can hardly protect it. Many youths drop out of school, hereby increasing their degree of illiteracy. These young successors or aspiring successors need to be hard working and duty conscious so that matrilineal succession can just contribute in increasing the hard earned wealth. It should be noted that majority of the Kom people have learnt to accept the culture of matrilineal succession since it is a cultural heritage from their most treasured ancestors. But what they find difficult to assimilate is the way those who are aspiring successors and those who eventually become successors handle family matters, maltreat the deceased person’s family and become practically irresponsible. Belo Sub-Division is not a densely populated area and moreover not very developed. The youths who are empowered through matrilineal succession have to be guided and sensitized. This research was limited only to the Kom population of Belo Sub-Division whereas the Kom dynasty extends throughout Boyo Division. With the results obtained in Belo Sub-Division concerning matrilineal succession and its impact, there is need to think that it can be the same problem in other parts of Boyo division. For this reason therefore, apart from education and sensitization, measures need to be taken with the aid of the project proposed by the researcher against the negative effects of matrilineal succession in the empowerment of Kom youths. These measures will transform the negative impact to a positive impact which can boost self reliant development in the Kom community. Mass mobilization through Development Theater has proven to be useful in countries like Nigeria, Zambia and Kenya so this will also be used in the Kom community. Conscientization theater has the advantage that it depends on the resources of a community to help the people identify their problems and look for solutions to them.

PROPOSED THEMES FOR FURTHER RESEARCH

- Mobilisation of National efforts to curb youth empowerment through succession. - The role of civic education in the transformation of Kom youths mentalities. - Effects of the annual Kom youth festival in local development.

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I- Published books Andrew, C. (2004). What is a Family and Why it Matters , Printed by Print IT, 36 Smith Street. Alesha, M. (2009). The First Book of the Black Goddess , Matam Press, New Dheli. Aubert Jean (1998). Motivation et Ressources Humaines-Education Permanente, 03/1998, N° 136 Developments. London: Zed Books) Ben Young, NDIM A. and Bekono (2009) . A Short Term Development Road Map for Boyo and Strategies for Effective Implementation . Fundong. Chilver, E.M, and Kiberry, P.M (1967). Traditional Bamenda, The Pre-colonial History and ethnography of the Bamenda Grassfields , Vol II Buea Government Printing, Buea. Chilver, E.M (1967). West African Kingdoms in the Nineteenth Century OUP, I.A.I . London. David, S. (1998). The Wealth and Poverty of Nations; Why Some Are so Rich and Some so Poor. Massachusetts: Havard University Press Denis, C. Kinlaw (1995). The Practise of Empowerment, Making the most of Human Competence . Gower House, Croft Road, Aldershot Hamsphire GU113HR, England. Durkheim, E. (1985). Education et Sociology : Paris: P.U.F. Dzeyengha, A. (2001). Concise notes on Research Methods in Education . Press book Limbe. Edward B. Taylor (1889). Primitive Culture 1 Gillet, J. (1995). L’Animateur et L’Animation le sens de L’Action , Paris, L. Harmattan. Guy Rocher (1968). Introduction a la sociologie générale 3, le changement social , Edition HMH, Ltee Howard J. (1972). Customary Law of Marriage and Succession among the Kom in Mentchum of West Cameroon . University Press London, School of Oriental and African Studies. Hatchard J. An Introduction to Law and Human Rights for Young People in the Commonwealth secretariats , Marlborough House, Pall Mall, London SW1Y5HX, UK. John, T. McCartney (1992). Black Power Ideologies, An Essay in African-American Political thoughts. Temple University Press, Philadelphia 19122, Copyright © by Temple University, Printed in the United States of America.

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Klemeyer, C.D. (1994). Cultural Expression and Grassroots Development , Colorado, Lynne Rienner, Publishers. I.N.C. Laverne, and Robert, J. (1972). Sociology, the Study of Human Relationships . Chicago, Harcourt Bruce, Jovanovich. Malinowski, B. (1945). The Dynamics of Cultural Change . New Haven, CT: Yale University Press. Melton, R. (1957). Social Theory and Social Structure. New York: Free Press. Mercoiret, J . quoted by Issa SORGHO (2006) . Local Development and Decentralization, INJS. MINJEUN (2006). Politique Nationale de la Jeunesse , Yaounde. Ngam, F.C. (1973) .‘The Kom People, Victoria Cameroon’ , Buea, Time Press. Nkwi P. N. (1976. Traditional Government and Social Change, A Study of Political Institutions amongst the Kom of the Cameroon Grassfields . University Press Fribourg, Nkwi N. (1974) . Clanship Study among the Kom in Cameroon Grassfields, A Systematic Study of Clans in Kom . Faculty of Letters Fribourg. Nkwi N. and Warnier (1982) .Clanship Study among the Kom in Cameroon Grassfields, A Systematic Study of Clans in Kom . Faculty of Letters Fribourg. Ngoh, V.J. (1996) . History of Cameroon since 1800 . Press book, Limbe. Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary. London (2005).Oxford University Press. Pearsell (1999). New Oxford English Dictionary , London University Press. Radcliffe, B. (1952). Structure and Function in Primitive Society : Cohen and West London. The Exemplary Work of Structural-Functionalist Theory. London: Cambridge University Press. Rahman, A. (1983) . An Interview granted by the Director of the National Institute of Science and Development Studies , India. Spencer (1996).New Oxford English Dictionary.London University Press. Takawira, K. Commonwealth (1998). The Commonwealth Plan of Action for Youth Empowerment to the year 2005 . Marlborough’s House, Pall Mall, London. Talcot, P. (1978). Action Theory and Human Condition , New York: Free Press. Walt, W . (1960). The Stages of Economic Growth; A non Communist Manifesto . Cambridge; Campbridge University Press.

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II- Memoires and monographs

Belo Rural Council, Helvetas Cameroon (2004).Belo Rural Council Support Program, Monographique Studies, Bamenda. Breuns (1942).in Nkwi’s ;‘Clanship Study among the Kom in Cameroon Grassfields, A Systematic Study of Clans in Kom’. Faculty of Letters Fribourg 1974. Eugenia (1983).in Nkwi’s; ‘Clanship Study among the Kom in Cameroon Grassfields, A Systematic Study of Clans in Kom’. Faculty of Letters Fribourg 1974. Evans (1926).in Nkwi’s; ‘Clanship Study among the Kom in Cameroon Grassfields, A Systematic Study of Clans in Kom’. Faculty of Letters Fribourg 1974. Firth, R. (1964). Essays on Social Organisation and Values. London School of Economics, Monographs on Social Anthropology , No 28 Jeffreys (1952). in Nkwi’s; ‘Clanship Study among the Kom in Cameroon Grassfields, A Systematic Study of Clans in Kom. Faculty of Letters Fribourg’ 1974. Loh (2012).“The Effects of Brain Drain on the Socio-Economic Development of Bamenda Municipality”. An unpublished CPJA Dessertation. NIYS, Yaounde Ngonain, F. (1998). ‘ A Historical Understanding of Self Reliant Developmant in Rural Areas’ the case study of the Kom Fondom1984-1993, University of Yaounde I. Ngum, G. ( 2011). “The Influence of Decentralization on Local Participatory Development: A Case Study of Wum Municipality”. An unpublished CPJA Dessertation. NIYS, Yaounde Nkwetti D. (1990).‘Development Associations and Socio-economic development’, Case Study, University of Yaounde I, Anthropology Department. Numfor, P.Y. (2006) .‘Women and Inheritance in Africa’, Case Study Bafut, Anthopology Department, University of Yaounde I. Organski, A. ( 1965). The Stages of Political Development. New York; University of Florida. Tamasang, H. (2009) . The Effects of Emigration on the development of the North West Region of Cameroon. I.N.J.S. Yaounde. Tifuh, R. C (2004). The management of National Policy for Youth Empowerment in Cameroon, DESS Thesis, NIYS, Yaounde.

Van Bleism (1967). In Nkwi’s; ‘Clanship Study among the Kom in Cameroon Grassfields, A Systematic Study of Clans in Kom. Faculty of Letters Fribourg’ 1974.

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III- Articles

Akoni I.D. ‘Modification of Kom Inheritance’, ( Kom news letter, 1966) Ngowikuo J.A. Ngowikuo J.A. ‘Comment on Kom Inheitance’.(Kom news letter, 1966). Shanklin. ‘Succession in Kom’, ( Kom news letter, 1966).

IV- Internet sources Encarta (2010). Universal Encyclopedia.(Computer Dictionary). http;//. www.google.com ( ‘Matrilineal Succession in Cameroon’, consulted in January 2011) http;//. www.wain.afoajiina.nyamngviyn ( Testuer, Kom in court, Friday 28 th May 2013) http;//. www.kommatrilinealsuccession.com (Akem Fultan; ‘Kom’s Matrilineal Succession’, consulted on the 29 th April 2013) http;//. www.kommatrilinealsuccession.com (Ngong; ‘Matrilineal Succession in Kom’, [2006] consulted on the 29 th April 2012) wikidepia. ( 2010). Online Dictionary .

Table VII: Oral Sources

Names Gender Functions Date Place ‘Bobe’ Abraham N. Male Traditional Authority 25 th October 2012 Kom Bernard, T. Male Mayor of Belo Sub -Division 25 th October 2012 Kom Cletus Nsom Male Force of Law and order ( Elite) 11 th April 2013 Kom Confidence N. Male Senior Lecturer Ngaoundéré 13 th March 2013 Bamenda University Patricia Bih Female Grand mother 19 th December 2012 Kom Elizabeth NGOW Female President of Kitchu Women’s 11 th April 2013 Kom CHIA Association Rooney N. Male Member of the BOSTA Association 19 th December 2012 Kom Nathan M. Male Civil Servant 4th May 2013 Yaounde Liberte N Male Civil servant 4th May 2013 Yaounde Eziekel T. Male Business Man 4th May 2013 Yaounde

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APPENDIX

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NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF YOUTH AND SPORTS INSTITUT NATIONAL DE LA JEUNESSE ET DES SPORTS ------

QUESTIONNAIRE ADDRESSED TO RESPONDENTS

Dear Respondents, Under the framework of our training in the National Institute of Youth and Sports (INJS) specifically in the second cycle CPJA (Senior Youth and Action Counsellor) in the Division of Sciences and Techniques of Animation (STA), we are carrying out a research on the topic “The Effects of Matrilineal Succession in Youth Empowerment in Kom, Belo Sub-Division, North West Region”. Kindly answer the questions below by marking (X) in the appropriate box. Your sincerity in answering these questions will be honoured and the confidentiality of your answers assured as it shall be uniquely used within the framework of this research. A- IDENTIFICATION OF RESPONDENTS i) In relation to this research work, how can you be identified? a) Youth b) parent c) Administrative authority d)Youth worker emigrant b) Your gender group; a) Male b) Female c) Your educational level; a) Primary b) Secondary c) University d) other d) Religious background; a) Christian b) Muslim c) Traditional d) Free thinker B- SPECIFIC INFORMATION I- The Matrilineal Succession Practice 1- In your opinion, is the matrilineal succession effective in Kom? a) Yes b) No c) Don’t Know d) Non of the above 2- Do the Kom people like the practice? a) Yes b) No c) Don’t Know d) Non of the above

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3- In your opinion, do the successors merit their heritage? a) Yes b) No c) Don’t Know d) Non of the above 4- Is the practice a good practice in making youths soldiers of development? a) Yes b) No c) Don’t Know d) Non of the above II- Matrilineal Succession and Youth Empowerment 5- How can you grade youth empowerment through matrilineal succession? a) Strong b) Average c) Very Strong d) Don’t know 6- Do the Kom youths depend on succession for empowerment? a) Yes b) No c) Don’t Know d) Non of the above 7- Do you agree with the affirmation that matrilineal succession affects youth empowerment? a) Strongly approved b) Approved of c) Disapproved of d)Don’t know 8- Does matrilineal succession have short comings in youth empowerment? a) Yes b) No c) Don’t Know d) Non of the above III- Succession and development 9- How can you assess the pace of development in Kom? a) Very fast b) Fast c) Very slow d) Slow 10 - How can you assess the rate of savings and investments of successors? a) Very significant b) Significant c) Insignificant d) Don’t Know 11- Do the empowered youths through succession significantly contribute to development in Kom? a) Very significantly b) Significantly c ) Insignificantly d) Don’t know 12- According to your appreciative power, how can you judge the purchasing of power in the Kom community through succession? a) Very High b) High c) Average d) Low What do you recommend as appropriate measures to curb the negative influence of matrilineal succession in youth empowerment?......

THANK YOU

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NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF YOUTH AND SPORTS INSTITUT NATIONAL DE LA JEUNESSE ET DES SPORTS ------

INTERVIEW GUIDE

I am a final year student (CPJA2) of the National Institute of Youth and Sports Yaounde. I am carrying out a research work on the topic: The Effects of Matrilineal Succession in Youth Empowerment in Kom, Belo Sub-Division, North West Region. Your expertise position vis-à-vis the following questions, will be of much interest to this work

Hypothesis One

- What is the role played by matrilineal succession in making Kom youths true soldiers of development? Hypothesis Two - What are the shortcomings of matrilineal succession in youth empowerment in the Kom community? Hypothesis Three - How do the young successors in Kom contribute to the development process of Kom?

Thank You

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TECHNICAL INTERVENTION FORM 1 (TO BE CARRIED OUT BEFORE THE FESTIVAL)

TOPIC : Lobbying too adopt a strategy to curb the effects of the practice of matrilineal succession in youth empowerment General objective : Create a suitable forum whereby Kom youths can use matrilineal succession properly for socio-economic development Specific objectives : Inform the local authorities, the council, and development partners on the action of; - Sensitise the stakeholders on the effects of the practice of matrilineal succession in youth empowerment; - Propose strategies to curb the negative effects of matrilineal succession on youths; Target population : Government and traditional authorities, the council and the local population Coordination : YACs, Council, Partners, Volunteers Place : Kom community of Belo Sub-Division Duration : six months (March-August 2014) Mobilisation Guide N° Actions Duration Objectives Financial Coordinators Anticipated results Observations resources 1 Talk with the authorities of 2 months Mobilising -Budget of -YAC Mobilise MINJEC and other administrative resources MINJEC -Council administrative and traditional authorities -Council -Partners local authorities 2 Lobbying for the administrative, 2 months Make the entire -Budget of the -YAC Mobilise the private, and local authorities community MINJEC -Council government and participate in the -Subventions -Partners other authorities project -Gifts -Volunteers 3 Lobbying for the local 2 months Make the project -Budget of the -YAC Mobilise the local population’s participation participative MINJEC -Council population -Subventions -Partners -Gifts -Volunteers

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TECHNICAL INTERVENTION FORM 2 (TO BE CARRIED OUT BEFORE THE FESTIVAL)

TOPIC : Sensitisation campaigns to the Kom population the effects of the practice of matrilineal succession in youth empowerment General objective : Involve the entire Kom community in the planned action Specific objectives : Carry out a diagnosis on the existing situation - Check out the actual development level; - Seek for possible solutions with the population. Target population : The entire population of the Kom community Coordination : YACs, Council, Partners, Volunteers Place : Kom community of Belo Sub-Division Duration : six months (March-August) Sensitisation Guide N° Actions Duration Objectives Financial Coordinators Anticipated results Observations resources 1 Sensitisation of administrative 2 months Carry out an -Budget of -YAC Sensitise a and private authorities inventory and MINJEC -Council reasonable number implicate all -Council -Partners of administrative authorities and local authorities 2 Sensitisation of the municipal 2 months Carry out an -Budget of the -YAC Sensitise a and traditional authorities inventory and MINJEC -Council reasonable number involve municipal -Subventions -Partners of municipal and and traditional -Gifts -Volunteers traditional authorities authorities 3 Sensitisation of the local 2 months Carry out an -Budget of the -YAC Sensitise a population inventory and MINJEC -Council significant number implicate the local -Subventions -Partners of the local population -Gifts -Volunteers population

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A Gant Intervention Plan for socio-economic development in the Kom community.

Period of realisation in N° Activity Objectives Techniques three years Resources 2014- 2015- 2016- 2015 2016 2017 To mobilise -Council -YACs government and -Mass media -Partners private -Print media -Volunteers 1 Lobbying authorities, -Religious& local entities and private the local organisations population -Associations -Schools and -Social clubs -Market days

To sensitise the -Council -YAC different -Mass media -Partners 2 Sensitisation stakeholders and -Print media -Volunteers or information the local -Youth clubs campaigns population -Religious organisations -Meeting houses -Market days Build capacities -Council -YACs and sustain -Vocational -Partners 3 Capacity capacities for schools -Volunteers building civic -Research workshop engagement and centers socio-economic -Foundations development -Schools -Enterprises and others To determine -Council -Council the extent of -Training Specialised 4 Evaluation work already centers, institutions done for further -youth effective and associations, efficient and ameliorations organisations

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