ABSTRACT
One of the most noticeable features of the social-cultural heritage of the Cameroon Grassfields is the chieftaincy institution. Chiefs are a permanent feature of the Cameroonian Grassfields society. Throughout history, Grassfields chiefs have been at the center of the political, social-economic and cultural life of their respective societies. This paper reveals that the violent dethronement of chiefs in the Grassfields region of Cameroon is not necessarily a new dimension in the institution. From the structure and organization of chieftaincy in the Grassfields, removing chiefs from office was usually done using traditionally prescribed methods which by and large excluded forceful dethronement. Exploring the numerous existent cases on the violent destitution of some Bamenda Grassfields traditional rulers from office, the study concludes that the traditional mechanisms for the exercise of chiefly power and authority have not changed. The apparent changes in the methods used for the dethronement of chiefs are the response by the community to reclaim and re-establish communal rights, privileges and mechanisms which are increasingly confiscated by disrespectful chiefs. The study suggests that the desire by the population to use republican principles to exercise power and authority endangers the survival of traditional authority in the Bamenda Grassfields of Cameroon and further undermines the chieftaincy institution.
CJLP, C. (2021). Traditional Coup D’états In The Bamenda Grassfields Of Cameroon Chieftaincy Institution: A Historical Exploration. Afribary. Retrieved from https://afribary.com/works/4-kaze-traditional-coup-detats-in-the-bamenda-grassfields-of-cameroon
CJLP, Carnelian Journal of Law and Politics "Traditional Coup D’états In The Bamenda Grassfields Of Cameroon Chieftaincy Institution: A Historical Exploration" Afribary. Afribary, 05 Jan. 2021, https://afribary.com/works/4-kaze-traditional-coup-detats-in-the-bamenda-grassfields-of-cameroon. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
CJLP, Carnelian Journal of Law and Politics . "Traditional Coup D’états In The Bamenda Grassfields Of Cameroon Chieftaincy Institution: A Historical Exploration". Afribary, Afribary, 05 Jan. 2021. Web. 22 Dec. 2024. < https://afribary.com/works/4-kaze-traditional-coup-detats-in-the-bamenda-grassfields-of-cameroon >.
CJLP, Carnelian Journal of Law and Politics . "Traditional Coup D’états In The Bamenda Grassfields Of Cameroon Chieftaincy Institution: A Historical Exploration" Afribary (2021). Accessed December 22, 2024. https://afribary.com/works/4-kaze-traditional-coup-detats-in-the-bamenda-grassfields-of-cameroon