Abstract

The study “The origin, Migration, and Settlement of the Mengom people in the Momo Division”, investigates the migration and settlement history of the Mengom people. This study examines the origin of this group of people, whether as part of Ngie or as a separate entity.

Their migratory and first settlement history is also revealed as the Mengoms first settled at Etimbeng. The study will also explain issues regarding the political, cultural, and economic background of the Mengoms.

The objective of this study is however to examine the historical background of Mengom whether as part of Ngie or not, and to also examine the problem faced by these people due to their migration to a new settlement.

The methodology used in the work includes the transfer-disciplinary thematic and chronological approaches. The work makes used of primary and secondary source of information. Primary sources include; interviews and archival materials. Secondary sources include published and unpublished books. The study events with a general conclusion that gives a summary of the work.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

An origin can be seen as the beginning of something. Migration is however the movement of people from one place or another voluntarily or involuntarily. While settlement is a place or region where people recite or live. Most of the ethnic groups today in Cameroon migrated from one settlement to another. Their reason for moving from their former settlement to another is usually the same for some ethnic groups while it is different for another.

The North West Region of Cameroon has several ethnic groups such as Bali, Mankon, Bafut, Nso, Meta, Ngie, Kom, Bifang, Batibo, Azem, and Mengom which is the focus of this piece of work. However, most ethnic groups in Cameroon have some similarities in terms of their origin, language, and History Many families form a lineage, many lineages form a clan, and many clans from an ethnic group.

Mengom is found in the West region of Cameroon in Momo Division and comprises five clans that make up the area and it is sparsely populated. This work will however highlight the origin, migration, and settlement history of the Mengom people. Reason for their movement or migration from one place to another will also be given, as there must be reasons for people to move.

Cameroon being a nation that comprises of many ethnic groups, and their respective cultures, this study will however talk about certain aspects of the cultural heritage or the Mengom man. The focus will also be paid on their political and economic lifestyle in the past and how they struggle to better their society to ease living.

Emphasis is also laid on their present-day conditions of settlement and on their little contributions in nation-building.

Statement Of Problem

The movement of people from one place to another is known as migration. Such movements are based on reasons that could not have allowed them to remain in their former place of settlement.

The origin and migration of the Mengom people in the grass field region are not certain, as many groups of people have different conceptions as to where they originated. The problem of identity also exists as they are considered to be part of Ngie. Contrary to these views, the Mengoms claimed to be an independent group of people, as they speak a unique language from other ethnic groups in the Momo area.

Objectives Of The Study

This historical work seeks to investigate the origin and settlement of the Mengom people and to answer the question of whether the Mengoms and the Ngies originated from the same area. Emphasis is also laid on the economic, social and political activities of the Mengom people.

Significance Of The Research

This study will be at great importance to the Mengoms as many of them do not know anything about their origin. It will also erase the idea that the Mengoms are part of the Ngies. The work will however show some aspect of the cultural heritage of the Mengom people along side their contribution to the economic growth of Cameroon.

Scope And Delimitation

The time frame or duration of this work begins from the 1880s when the people of Mengom actually migrated from “Etimbeng” to their present settlement located in the Momo Division of the North West Region of Cameroon. This time frame however saw the migration of all the five clans of Mengom and Ngie. Geographically, this study is centered on the Grass field Region of the Northwest Region in Cameroon.