Wimbum people petition Rome over cultural abuse by Catholic Church

The Wimbum people from the North West Region of Cameroon have petitioned The Vatican, in Rome, raising concerns about the appropriation of their culture by the Catholic Church.

A petition signed by the President of the Wimbum Fons Union, the Coordinators of the Mbum Sheys Union, and the Nfuh Titleholders Association, makes an “Urgent Appeal Regarding Cultural Appropriation” to Rome.

Addressed to the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith at The Vatican, the epistle decries that the Wimbum cultural heritage, steeped in ancient practices, faces a critical threat due to its absorption into the Catholic Church’s practices.

“The Wimbum people, residing in the Donga Mantung Division of the North-West Region of Cameroon, hold sacred rituals, symbols, and ceremonies. These connect us to our ancestors, our land, and the divine. Our traditions are not mere customs; they shape our identity and guide our lives,” the letter seen by MMI reads.

Inculturation, which is the practice of adapting Christian teachings and practices to culture, is a fundamental strategy used by the Roman Catholic Church to advance its beliefs.

The practice, which dates back to the earliest missionaries who arrived in Africa, is now meeting fresh resistance from custodians of African cultures and traditions.

The Wimbum people say the Church has overstepped its bounds and is now toiling with their revered traditions and sacred societies.

“Recent actions by the Catholic Church have incorporated elements from our secret societies – Nwarong, Nfuh, Saamba, and Njuh – into their processions,” the letter furthers.

“These processions are outright copyright of our traditional sacred societies and artifacts.”

Some Catholic congregations cited in the petition for allegedly desecrating the Wimbum culture include Christ the King Parish Nkambe; Saint John Catholic Church Foncha Street and Regina Pacis Catholic Church Ndamunkong, Bamenda.

“By appropriating our sacred practices within church premises, Catholic priests inadvertently usurp the authorities of our Kings,” the Wimbum people’s protest letter reads.

They called on the Church to “Declare that no Wimbum person shall take part in any inculturation activity involving Nfuh, Nwarong, Mnkung, Njuh, or any masquerade-related artifacts like Ngem.”

Opting for dialogue to find a common ground, the petitioners reminded the Church that, “Our traditions are not entrusted to the Church’s care, they are our soul’s essence.”

GROWING DISSENT AGAINST INCULTURATION

The Wimbum are not the only cultural group in Cameroon that is complaining of cultural appropriation by the Catholic Church.

In June this year, the Nso Development Association, NSODA, an organization of the Nso people of the North West Region, threatened court action against the Kumbo Diocese for desecrating their tradition.

NSODA said Christians of the Kumbo Diocese severely abused their culture by making “moot displays” of their sacred masquerades – Wanmabuh, Yee Ngwerong, Kikum and Kirang Ke Ngiri – on Church premises.

Inculturation has also met a stonewall in the Bamilike land in the West Region, with some traditional rulers opposing cultural infringement by the Church.

The Catholic Church has yet to publicly react to the concerns being raised recently by local communities regarding inculturation.

©Mimi Mefo Info