From Rehfisch's fieldnotes 1953


Discussion of Meek's articles with James and others.

Sept. 1st.

page 532 line 2. Pop. figures wrong.

[Notes1] " " " 17-pigeon peas (wuli) are grown on the mountain. Afterwards they were harvested, people may grow cassava, groundnuts and yams on the same spot. They do this as working fields for Wulis softens the ground in preparation for future planting. They don't know that this plant fertilises the soil.

[Notes2] Pg 532 line 22- Except where they have been planted on the hill tops: i.e. in village itself.

[Notes3] pg. 532 line 22. Hard rainy season from August 15th to Nov. 15th.

[Notes4] Pg 533. James says Mambila is a Fulani word.

[Notes5] Pg 533. James says Nor not used for non-Mambila. Does not know word Jabu.

[Notes6] Pg 534. Note. J. does not know Tatum. Ngubin used Mwandi for sun and Nama for God. Maybe other do too. James says Kabri use Nu for sun and Nama or Tschang for God.

[Notes7] Pg.534. Tagbo, Lagubu or Tongbo used for Gembu people.

[Notes8] Pg 534. Mambila towns of French side according to James. Sarki Baka, Ta, Mber, Jang, Que, Libo Mayo Dala, Koti, Idansere. James doesn't know any of the names listed by Meek. He knows none of the towns listed in Bamenda. He says Kamkam and Magu are Mambila towns.

[Notes9] 535. Kila means blacksmith in Fulani talk. James says Bute is Banyo language. Wawa he recognises as the name of a group, but doesn't know where they live. Blacksmiths in Titon speak special language. At Kabri and other places they don't, they just speak Mambila. Kuna blacksmiths have their own language, also a town called Gono, a place where they make hoes and Yung belles. Gono is near Titon in the direction of Maya Daga.

James has never heard it said that spears are recent innovation. Never heard of cutting meat with guinea-corn stalks. Says that he thinks at Gono and Titon blacksmiths sons all become blacksmiths. Doesnt know about their endogamy, but has heard that blacksmiths daughters would only marry for money not exchange.

[Notes10] Nov 22. On way home from Vokude met Tschindek. He showed us the river which is the boundary between Vokude and Warwar. He said long ago there were fights between the two towns. Warwar people drove the Vokude people out and they retreated up the hills. By mutual consent boundary fixed where it now lies. In Vokude I saw a man with the kind of sword illustrated by Meek. He refused to sell it and says that doesn't know where one can be found for sale.

[Notes11] Lutap Sept. 4th 1953 - Checking Meek's article on Exchange Marriage

Lutap says: They used to take bride to a special medicine place in the bush. He does not know whether it had a name or not. When he was married this was not done, as this refers to long ago. He had heard of three stones, he doesnt know names of the stones. He doesnt know about stones representing ancestors, he does not think that this was the case here. He says that families do not have special places in the bush. Here one does not go into bush to make medicines. Tital does not know Kau kau but he does know that before blowing for Guli medicine Kang Kang is said so that witches who come to bewitch the participants will kill them.

Sometimes fire is made to warm ancestors this is for Guli and Tu medicines. They never used rings on girls legs. Lutap say that they never made special medicine for his sister when she was exchanged for Lemme. If she had become ill she would have come back for them and they would have made Guli medicine.

When women is exchanged, her husband becomes her heir. In the past you were able to kill he who eloped with your wife if she was married by exchange, but not if married by bridewealth. If exchange wife not treated well exchange could be broken. You could not sell your exchange wife as a slave. If you killed her her brothers would take vengeance, though he never heard of such a case.

Lutap says that the big people of the past used to have stones that represented the ancestors, but he knows no more than this. He does not know why the information not passed on to descendants of the big people. Now according to him the medicines and the fact that stones represent the ancestors is forgotten.

September 8th MARRIAGE BY EXCHANGE KULDWA

Discussion of Meek's book p. 538-Invitation to house is true. The first to go to the other's house is the one who has been asked to exchange as he many not know the offer ed sister. Return visit paid soon. Date then fixed.

K. does not know about shrine in the bush; says they made medicine in the compound. Does not know about stones representing ancestors

K's version of exchange Marriage medicine

They cut Ndurki stick saying that if someone bewitches her the juju will catch them. They take Guli grass and tie it on her neck. At time they make medicine people of the groom's family come with cock and spear both men and women may come. The girl goes with the groom's family. Both parties get cock and spear; no other gift given. Girls' relatives do not follow her as they do in bridewealth marriage. Says he does not know of any medicine they make to keep ancestors "warm". That he does not know who makes guli medicine here.