In Bissombe, Bot-Makak Subdivision, in Cameroon’s Centre Region, mourners, community members, and officials deserted the funeral of a 40-year-old teacher on November 2, following allegations of witchcraft relating to his death.
Justin Ndjigi Biboum died on October 11 after being attacked while attempting to break up a fight.
However, during his funeral, traditional leaders accused his father of using sorcery to orchestrate his son’s death.
Attendees gathered from across the country to honour the memory of Biboum, but the event took an unexpected turn when certain individuals began accusing Biboum’s father of causing his son’s death through witchcraft
The accusers also accused Biboum’s mother of conniving to cause his death.
Despite efforts by Biboum’s eldest son to refute these accusations, the tension escalated.
The local notables and traditional authorities convened a meeting, temporarily halting the funeral proceedings.
After the meeting, the Mbombog (traditional leader) shocked the crowd by announcing that he had “confirmed” Biboum’s father was responsible for his son’s death.
He ordered everyone to leave the funeral, instructing the community to abandon the family with the deceased’s remains.
The Mbombog’s statement led to a swift exodus of mourners, with the Deputy Mayor, priest, and nearly all attendees vacating the premises. They also cancelled the religious service.
Biboum’s death, according to official reports, stemmed from injuries sustained when a man involved in a brawl struck him with a machete as he tried to intervene.
Nonetheless, the Mbombog and his associates insisted that Biboum’s father had allegedly manipulated mystical forces to guide the assailant’s hand, leading to his son’s death.
This incident has reignited discussions about the influence of occult beliefs in rural communities and the complex interactions between traditional, spiritual, and rational explanations in understanding tragic events.
Meanwhile, the man who struck Biboum dead is under custody.
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