found in Cuba, and various denominations of
Christianity practiced by American-born Africans in
the United States.
Kefentse K. ChikeSeealsoCeremonies; Palo; Rada; Santeria; Vodou in
Haiti
Further Readings
Dagan, E. A. (Ed.). (1993).Drums:The Heartbeat of
Africa. Montreal: Galerie Amrad African Art
Publications.
Grand Ruiz, B. H. (1993).Africa y el tambor. Buenos
Aires, Argentina: Clepsidra.
Martins, B. (1983).The Message of African Drumming.
Brazaville, P.R. of the Congo: P. Kivouvou, Editons
Bantoues.
DUALA
The Duala are a people from Cameroon who live
along the coast of the country. They are related to
the Sawa people and share customs and traditions
with these coastal people as well. Although they
have had an extensive contact with the European
people, who came as slavers, missionaries, mer-
chants, and soldiers, they have retained the mem-
ory of many of their ancient traditions. One can
identify among the Duala, who have given their
name to the largest city in the region, Douala,
traits and characteristics that have influenced the
entire nation of Cameroon. Bamboko, Bakweri,
Isuwu, Malimba, Bakole, Wovea, and Mungo
people are integrated into the Duala ethnicity,
sharing common ancestors, kinship patterns, and
language, although they have their own distinct
varieties of the language. All of these people
understand the Duala language. This entry looks
at their history, culture, and religious practice.
HistoryThe founder of the Duala people was a man
named Mbedi who originated in the Bakota
region of Gabon and the Republic of the Congo.
By all accounts, he was very industrious, and his
sons, Ewale and Dibango, followed their father’s
adventurous nature and soon moved their families
to a place called Pitti on the Dibamba River.
However, the brothers soon argued over leader-
ship and decided that each should go his own way.
Accordingly, Dibango and his families moved to
the southeast near the Sanaga River. Some headed
upstream with Dibango, whereas others moved
downstream with a relative named Elimbe. Ewale
took his families near the mouth of the Dibabma
River and northwest to the east bank of the Wouri
River estuary. The people who followed Ewale
became the Duala, and those who followed
Dibango became known as the Malimba. Hence,
they are all related peoples.
When the Portuguese traders reached the
Wouri estuary in l472, they met the Duala
people whom they referred to as Ambos or
Ambozi. They were a fishing and hunting people
who had small farms in the interior. The Duala
traders were rich with ivory, kola nuts, and
peppers. The Portuguese provided guns, mir-
rors, shoes, and textiles.
After decades of trading with the Portuguese,
the Duala observed an increasing demand that
people be provided to the traders. This was the
beginning of the slave trade along the coast. The
Portuguese used Africans to grow foodstuffs
on the islands of Sao Tome, Fernando Po,
Annonbon, and Principe. Because chattel slavery
was not a part of the Duala custom, they found
the European customs contrary to their own
moral code. In effect, among the Duala, people
who had been held in servitude could only be
sent between other Duala people. They were not
to be traded to outsiders. Tremendous rifts
occurred between the Duala and the Europeans
over the slave trade.
One of the most destructive periods in Duala
history occurred as a result of the European prop-
ping up of the puppet leader, Ndumb’a Lobe, who
called himself King Bell. He was frequently
beguiled with gifts and titles by the Europeans.
Their fake adulation of King Bell caused him
to cede land to the Europeans and to grant
Europeans monopolies in certain trade objects. It
was this condition that caused the 1814 revolt of
Ngando Mpondo, better known as King Akwa,
and his allies, King Ekwalla of the Deido and
Kum’a Mbape of the Bonaberi.Duala 223