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45 Chapter Three: A History of Bambili/Babanki-Tungoh and the Genesis of the Boundary culturally because it is visibly clear that minor linguistic variations and cultural differences often exist within the group, forming the basis for the delineation of sub-ethnic ethnic systems. Rangers and Hobsbwam (1985) sees the phenomenon of ethnicity as an invention. However, Bambili-Babanki and Tungoh no doubt shared these common characteristics which went closer to those examined by Fukui and Markaki as well as Rangers and Hobsbwam. Despite the unanimity and harmony with which the chiefs exercised their duties in the Bafut Native Area, they nonetheless, displayed frequent envy of each other, as one was either larger than the other in terms of territory, stronger than the other in times of war, more influential in administrative matters or one village hosted most of the institutions in the region and even in the revenue allocation. This could be illustrated by the fact that other chiefs of the Bafut area petitioned the position and influence of the Bafut Chief in the area over administrative and transitional issues10 . Each chief was determined to resist the exercise of any authority except his own inside his territory. The two chiefs were also suspicious of neighbouring villages which allegedly nursed aggressive and expansionist tendencies on them. Above all, it should be emphasised that if peace reigned during the last half of the nineteenth century and the first half of the twentieth century, it was because of the tact and practical commonsense which the colonial administrators used. Both the Germans and, to a small extent, the British used the divide and rule principle, indirect system or forceful policies - in maintaining peace. It was partly because of this reason and several others that “peace” had reined in the region. No doubt by the 1950’s the border between Bambili and Babanki-Tungoh became a bone of contention. In examining the casus belli of the boundary conflict it will be realised that other variables, not directly related to the boundary, aggravated the boundary conflict. D) Contending issues: causes of the boundary conflict between Bambili and Babanki-Tungoh The causes of the boundary dispute between Bambili and BabankiTungoh can be examined under political, economic, social and psychological domains. Politically, the two neighbours believed in 46 Sons and Daughters of the Soil expansionist, hegemonistic and annexationists’ tendencies. At one time or the other, these two villages attempted, although without much success to subjugate their neighbours. For instance, the Bambili had boundary disputes with Nkwen, Bambui and BabankiTungoh . Babanki-Tungoh also had boundary conflicts with Bamessing, Balikumbat and Bambili. The Bambili and BabankiTungoh , in addition have a problem with their settlement patterns. A case in point is Bambili which is completely hemmed in. This situation is further compounded by the fact that her population is ever expanding and the available land is ipso facto getting smaller and smaller. The scarcity of land to the Bambili people can be attributed to the government policies in the area since 1960s. The Cameroon College of Arts Science and Technology (CCAST) which was opened in 1963 took considerable hectares of arable land from the Bambili. It was not long afterwards that Ecole Normale Superieur Annex (ENS), The Regional School of Agriculture, School of Health Sciences (CUSS) and the Gendarmerie Brigade were opened. All these took up Bambili land and the only way for Bambili to survive was to expand at the expense of their neighbours. Conversely, Babanki-Tungoh also found herself in an uncomfortable geographical location. Their region of settlement is at the rocky and narrow end of the Ndop plain. At the initial time of settlement, the first hamlet was in the valley and it was enough to sustain the small population which necessitated an outward expansion. In an attempt to expand and annex their neighbours, the Bambili and Babanki-Tungoh clashed on their common border leading to the boundary conflict. Nonetheless, some informants argue that the need for self-defence and not expansionism led to the border conflict11 . Furthermore, inter-tribal wars have not been a new phenomenon in this region. In the nineteenth century, Bambili and Balikumbat went to war. The causes of this include, amongst others, the expansionist policies of Balikumbat. During this war, Babanki— Tungoh reached an entente with Balikumbat and gave her full military co-operation. The resultant effect was that Bambili was defeated. The agreement that ended this war imposed very harsh terms upon the Bambili. These terms include: Bambili was to be...

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