In a press release issued this March, the Executive Council of the Nso Cultural and Development Association (NSODA) expressed its deep dismay over the recent marriage of Bandy Kiki, a prominent Nso woman, to her Nigerian wife in the United Kingdom. According to them, a fellow Nso woman officiated the union, generating outrage within the Nso community. NSODA condemned the act as both a personal and cultural affront.
Bandy Kiki, a UK-based Cameroonian LGBTQ+ activist and media entrepreneur, has long been an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, particularly in Cameroon, where same-sex relationships remain criminalised. Supporters celebrated her wedding to Jenny, a Nigerian woman from the Ijaw ethnic group, as a milestone for queer representation in African communities. However, the marriage has also faced severe backlash from conservative and traditionalist circles, particularly within her native Nso community.
Cultural and Traditional Disrespect
The press release specifically highlights the manner in which the marriage was conducted, stating that “the abominable marriage… officiated by a Nso woman in the Lamnso language is an insult to the dignity and pride of a Nso woman and the Nso community as a whole.” NSODA’s statement also decries Kiki’s self-identification as “Shey Lesbian”, a title that the organisation believes is an insult to the revered Shey honorific traditionally reserved for individuals who have made significant contributions to the community.
NSODA’s Stance on Same-Sex Marriage
According to NSODA, “Everyone in NSO is conscious of the personal, legal, and customary implications regarding same-sex marriage: a serious traditional taboo that is prohibited by law in Cameroon.” The association stresses that while Kiki and her supporters may frame their actions as an exercise in personal freedom and human rights, these acts contradict the values deeply embedded in Nso culture.
In a direct call to action, NSODA urges Nso women to distance themselves from Kiki’s actions, advising them to “never copy the unreligious, vulgar, and perverse example of Kiki Bandy and her marriage officiator.” The statement goes on to encourage mothers to teach their children that “same-sex amorous relationships, directly or indirectly, are dishonouring and prohibited in Nso,” emphasising the importance of preserving traditional values.
Request for Increased Prohibition and Sanctions
NSODA has also requested that the authorities of Nso intensify the prohibition of same-sex unions, including potential sanctions for any public display of affection by same-sex couples of Nso origin. They specifically call on the traditional rulers, including the Fons and Ngwerong, to trace and exercise judgment on the woman who officiated Bandy Kiki’s wedding.
In a broader appeal, NSODA has asked the government of Cameroon to strengthen its laws against same-sex marriage and enhance enforcement against behaviors that contradict the country’s legal framework.
“NSODA will continue to attach respect, love, and importance to the dignity and empowerment of women and the girl child,” the statement concludes, reinforcing its commitment to upholding the values that have long defined the Nso community.
Global Debate on LGBTQ+ Rights
This release comes at a time when the global debate around LGBTQ+ rights continues to evolve. Kiki Bandy’s marriage, which some celebrate as a personal and social liberation, faces fierce opposition from conservative factions within both the Nso community and broader Cameroonian society.
