Introduction / History

The Mumuye are an ethnic group living in Cameroon and Nigeria. They are a sub-group of the Plateau peoples who occupy central Nigeria and Gongola state. There are at least fifteen distinct Mumuye dialects spoken by the group. Therefore, the cluster is divided and grouped according to the dialects they speak. The Mumuye of Cameroon speak the Yoro dialect, while the Gengle of Nigeria speak the Gengle dialect.

Most groups claim to be offshoots of the Yoro Mumuye, and all of the groups trace their origin to the Yoro area. This region is isolated from the other Mumuye groups by a series of hills. All of the groups recognize the priest of Yoro as the "supreme rainmaker" for the entire Mumuye tribe.

At one time, the Mumuye were conquered and enslaved by the Junkun Empire. However, they gained independence in 1893 after the Fulani drove the Junkun into the hills. The Mumuye remain independent of the Fulani and other outside influences, even though some Fulani live among them.

WHAT ARE THEIR LIVES LIKE?

The Mumuye are primarily an agricultural people. Their primary crops include millet, ginger, beans, yams, squash, peanuts, and citrus products. The men are responsible for cultivating the crops, and the women's duties include scattering seed, husking corn, and helping their husbands do light field labor.

Products collected in the forests are also very valuable to the Mumuye. Honey is collected from large pots placed in the trees as beehives. Shea nuts, wood, and herbs are also gathered from the forests. In recent years, some of the Mumuye have left their agricultural way of life, migrating to towns and cities in search of wage-paying jobs.

The rural Mumuye live in circular hamlets (small settlements) that contain two or more huts. The huts are occupied by a number of related extended families. Together, several hamlets form a village. For protection against intruders, the villages are surrounded by cactus hedges, as well as deep pits with spears placed at the bottoms. Each village can be described as an independent clan.

The Mumuye live in a patriarchal (male dominated) society. Each hamlet is headed by the eldest male among them. He is responsible for handling all inter-family disputes. The villagers give this clan elder a portion of the kill of all game animals hunted.

Polygyny (having multiple wives) is a common practice among the Mumuye. Although there is no legal limit, a man usually has only one or two wives. After marriage, a couple remains with the wife's family until the birth of the first child. This baby is given to the wife's family as soon as it is weaned.

The Mumuye have a unique appearance. Their distinct style of dress clearly sets them apart from their neighbors. Men wear one or more leather girdles, the ends of which are decorated with beads and cowries (bright shells). Goat skins are also worn with the girdles. Both men and women wear beads, brass and iron bracelets and anklets, and pieces of wood in their ears. Women also tattoo their stomachs and wear straw and wood in their pierced nostrils. Men file their four upper front teeth to points. Most Mumuye make rows of small cuts above their eyes, at the temples, and on their cheeks.

One important celebration among the Mumuye is the annual yam festival. At the festivities, two men wearing ceremonial costumes dance opposite each other. Their outfits include straw hats with feathers, wooden masks with trails of grass or horses' tails, horns, and long leather shields to cover their bodies.

WHAT ARE THEIR BELIEFS?

The Mumuye follow traditional animistic religions (belief that non-living objects have spirits). They believe in a variety of gods and spirits, with the sun (La) as the supreme being. Each village has a tsafi house, where images of these gods are kept and sacrifices are regularly made. The skulls of the ancestors, which are kept by the clan elder, are also worshipped. The Mumuye men belong to various cults dealing with ancestry, unseen powers, and drinking. Ceremonial horns and masks are worn, and special dances are performed at their cultic rituals.

Many of the Mumuye believe that there is no life after death. However, some believe that good people are born again after being dead for two years, but that the wicked have no future lives.

TEST OF MANHOOD.

It is ideal that once a male child reach the age of 12 years and above he shall be taken to shrine for fortification by the gods of mumuye land. Below are the names of some gods worship by mumuye people;

1. VA'A SOKODING

2. VA'A BONG

3. VA'A GULADONG

4. VA'A SIGONG

5. VA'A BABUNG

6. VA'A KONJAKA

7. VA'A SILAPOO

All the above mentioned are gods (VA'A) that mumuye people worship and each of the VA'A has it's purpose for worship.

for instance, VA'A SOKODING is the most senior gods of all, women are not allowed to have an eye contact with it. whenever any woman had an eye contact with the VA'A SOKODING, she must pay some fine which includes;

1. Twelve jars of local beer (burkutu)

2.Seven goats

3. A port of tobacco

4. Fried groundnut etc.

All the mentioned items will be given to the caregiver of the gods as a way of pleasing VA'A SOKODING otherwise the woman will face the wrath of the gods.

It is believe that VA'A SOKODING stays at pa'a yoro where our forefathers are, and it brings the needs of mumuye people on demand at any time.

VA'A BONG is one of the VA'A that mumuye people has, unlike the VA'A SOKODING, VA'A BONG use to have an eye contact with women and children, it appears to people at different places during festival or on demand for a particular purpose. For instance, when children are destroying farm produce, an elder can order VA'A BONG to go and pursue the children or perhaps the children commit an offense, it is the duty of the VA'A BONG to discipline that child. VA'A BONG is more like a masquerade.

VA'A GULADONG Is an advance version of VA'A BONG. it come only once In a year during a festival call (samobang).

Samobang is a festival organized by mumuye only once in a year towards October/November to mark the beginning of millet harvest. the VA'A is considered to be indiscipline this is because even it's father is scared of it. The reason is because, the VA'A GULADONG use to beat it's father. The only way to release this VA'A for the festival is by singing seven different mumuye traditional songs using flutes, drums and other instruments. As the singers are singing the songs, they are as well counting the numbers and once it reaches the seventh one, all the instrumentalist will start finding their ways knowing that any moment the VA'A GULADONG will be out. One unique characteristics about VA'A GULADONG is that it is dark in complexion, it carries machete unlike VA'A BONG that only uses koboko to scared or flog people an it can speed like a car without tiredness.

VA'A SIGONG is the mother of farm, farmers from different clans of mumuye land go to its shrine in seek of favor from it .It is believe to bring rain, and make famer have a rich harvest.

VA'A BABUNG is the mysterious VA'A of mumuye land, this VA'A is capable of swallowing MOTA, pestles, food crops, human being etc however, whenever it wants to come out, it must shout loud to alart people of it's coming.

VA'A SILAPOO it's uses is mostly for dancing during festivals as well as occasions organized by elders of mumuye land. it is mostly found I'm MIKA, KWALAYANG, MANZALANG, BOLI, KWAJJI and some other parts of mumuye land.

VA'A SILAPOO; it got it's name from the structure of it's horn. the VA'A possess a very big born that look like a cow own, the purpose of the horn is for self defence.

TEST OF MY MANHOOD

It was one faithful Tuesday evening that my dad returns from his normal strolling. AS I was eating when he stepped in and called my name as he used to "Sam" I answered sir!

Dad: how are you my brave son?

Sam: I'm fine sir thank you.

Dad: There's something I want to tell you, but first finish eating...

Sam: Ok sir I exclaimed!! the statement kept repeating it self in my mind and I wondered what my dad could not tell me untill I finish eating....

few minutes later, I washed my hands and meet my dad at the place where he was sitting down eating with our two giant Dogs surrounding him and playing with their tails waiting for him to give them their own share.

Dad: Sam,

Sam: Sir,

Dad: You know you are my first son and I won't like to exempt you from the culture and traditions of our people.

Sam: yes sir, with my mind pounding.

Dad: Tomorrow is the day set aside for the test of Manhood at the shrine, your mates all over mumuye land will be tested and I want you to be part and parcel.

Sam: I exclaimed hmmmm!! Dad, so you mean I will also go to the shrine to worship gods in this 21st century??

Dad: No my son, he exclaimed politely, I want you to go there and be tested. Once that is done, you won't have Anything to do with them again.

Sam: I remained quite for some times thinking of how it will be when I enter the shrine. I have never been there before, those who went there and comes out always have scars from wounds they sustain as a result of flogging and now my dad is saying that it's my turn???

Dad: Sam! Sam!!

Sam: Sir, my dad noticed how horrified I was on hearing the message so he said;

Dad: I hope you did not forget the repercussions that will be fall the person that fails to be tested by VA'A SOKODING? let me reminds you;

Any person that is not tested by the gods is as simply as a woman. This implies that whosoever that is not tested, anytime there's any festival involving VA'A SOKODING or any of the VA'A in mumuye land, the person will not be allowed to move freely, in another words, as the women are hiding inside room, so shall he be.

If for any reason you mistakenly come across VA'A SOKODING during any festival, you will as well pay fine like the way women use to.

Wherever your mates that are tested sits, you will not make mouth in their midst simply because you are not tested by the gods. Do you want to be seen as a woman?

Sam: No! I will rather go and die there than for such calamity to befall me.

Dad: you will not die my son, the VA'A of mumuye land love it's children just like the way your mother cares for you. The only thing is that, VA'A SOKODING will toughing your mind, teach you some strategies of escaping whenever you are been attacked and to make you to be self relied.

Sam: why then does the VA'A often wound people anytime they visit the shrine?

Dad: the hardest way is always the only way. If VA'A SOKODING did not suffer you, you won't be zealous to learn talk more of to take the learning process valid.

Sam: Tell me more about the way the VA'A use to suffer people.

Dad: Not all the secret of the shrine can be revealed to you unless you go there before you can see for your self.

Sam: I remained quite and was full of thoughts! I can remember those that have been to shrine use to say that VA'A has horn which they usually use to kill their preys, what if they use the horn to kill me? While still in my thoughts, my mom tap my shoulder saying;

Mom: Sam, are you not the brave child that I use to know again? why is this situation making you looks like a coward?

Sam: Coward you said mom? Dad only wanted me death or better still wanted me to suffer, if not, I don't think he will ask me to go to shrine for whatever reason.

Mom: Your Dad does not want you to suffer, he only need the best from you. Assuming you and I are moving to the village and suddenly villagers started blowing flute an indication that VA'A will be out from the shrine, do you expect all of us to start running Helter skelter looking for where to hide?

Atleast if you are been tested, you can lead us, observe our way as we move to a safer hiding place. Beside, I won't accept people calling me mother of a Coward. I will also like to brag that my son is a man like any other core wife male child.

Sam: What my mother said was right and her statements has weakened my body. Do you mean if I refused to be tested the act will cause you disrespect among your core wifes?

Mom: Yes my dear, those whose their male child either refused to be tested or ran from the shrine causes much disrespect to the family this is because, whenever the mother of that child is sighted, core wifes will mocked the mother of the child saying; "see the mother of that "coward"

Sam: hmmmmm!! before I realized, our wall clock ⏰ started ringing, the time was already 12am. Dad, what do I need to carry along tomorrow?

Dad: All you need is a strong stick, that is of your height that's all.

Sam: Ok Dad, am I not going to change my dress? you did not mention carrying some clothes.

Dad: Dont worry, I will take care of that.

Mom: son,

Sam: mother,

Mom; let me go and arrange what you will eat before going tomorrow morning.

Sam: Ok mommy, good night.

Dad: Sam,

Sam: Sir,

Dad: you need to go and rest because you have much to do tomorrow.

Sam: Ok Dad, good night.

Knock, knock, knock, that was what walk me up from sleep,

Sam: yes who is there?

Dad: Wake up and refresh up it's getting late we need to be fast so that we can meet up.

Sam: I checked my time, it was 08:30am. Ok Dad, I refreshed up, eat my well prepared native soup ( yoko nkong) with a fine pounded yam. Afterwards, the Journey began.

Pupule is a village of KWAJJI district, Yorro local government areas of Taraba state in Nigeria. I and my family happily lived here, the village is a bit developed with some social amenities such as electricity, network etc. It is about 15km away from where VA'A SOKODING among other VA'A stays. During any festival, people from far and near use to leave their business activities, school etc to travel to a village call KWALAYANG.

KWALAYANG is an interior village of KWAJJI district, it is the dwelling place of all the VA'A in my area, during festivals, people use to go there for fortification and test of Manhood.

THE JOURNEY TO KWALAYANG

Our journey to Kwalayang kicked off at about 09:00am with tears running down the cheeck of my mother saying that as I left house safely, so shall I return. I answered her amen and hugged her.

My Dad and I started trekking, as he told me most of the secrets of VA'A on our way going.

My Dad said, there is nothing to worry about at the shrine, infact, it is one of the most enjoyable place so far.

He said there's enough to eat, provision has been made for local beer "Burkutu" furthermore the goat he was holding will be slaughtered and we will be the one to eat the meat and the skin will be used as a trouser for me.

Atleast my fear was calming down on hearing that the goat will be slaughter for me but the question remains "how will the skin of the goat be used as my trouser'? Is like my dad is not telling me everything.

Anyways, no one will agree to kill his son in the name of culture, my Dad cannot I exclaimed. After trekking for about 1hour, we reached Kwalayang.

From pupule that we started trekking to Kwalayang, we did not meet a single woman on our way, except for those we use to hear their voice at their respective houses if we pass by.

THE RIVER NYAYOVA'A

There is a River called "Nyayova'a" meaning the river of the VA'A. Any one crossing to pa'abending a resting place of VA'A will cross the river, the river is also a place where VA'A use to stay during dry season to swallo frogs and toads before returning to it's harbor at pa'abending.

On reaching river Nyayova'a, my heart jumped to my mouth because I don't need to be told that I have gotten closer to the shrine. At river Nyayova'a, there were people blowing flute from different angle, my ears could hear the sound of koboko as VA'A was flogging people at the shrine. from home, women were crying on hearing the sound of koboko as a pity for their children at the shrine.

WHO IS DOSENG?

Doseng is the eldest man in pa'abending, his house is the last house before the shrine. children to be tested use to gather therein in preparation for going to the shrine. In his house all the goats parents brought will be slaughtered and the skin will be used to cover the private parts of Ja'ava'a, grinded charcoal mixed with a traditional oil called noyang will be applied all over the body of Ja'ava'a from head to toe.

JA'AVA'A is a name given to all the children ready to be tested by VA'A.

As soon as we arrived Doseng's house, elders started shouting at me telling me to hurry up and undress myself in preparation for the Movement to shrine.

I thought within me that I did not expect this from them knowing well that I know the people shouting at me and is thesame them that I use to treat nicely anytime they visit our house. Anyways, it's there time to shine on me.

My Dad who is their elder grasped my hand and told me not to bother as I and him slowly move to where they are. just as any other person, I was undressed, grinded charcoal mixed with traditional oil was applied on my body, and the skin of the goat we brought was used to cover my nakedness after slaughtering.

From the Eldest man of pa'abending where we were gathered, we can hear everything happening at the shrine, sound of koboko, the sound of different VA'A, the traditional musical interlude etc. It was fun even though scary.

After preparing all the prospective Ja'ava'a, we queued up with our strong stick to the shrine. The use of the stick is to block the koboko as fast as possible if the VA'A wants to flog us.

THE POWER OF DA'AVA'A

VA'A is a gods that work under the order of it's father "da'a va'a"

Da'ava'a has the right to instruct VA'A either to flog or not to.

When Da'ava'a sighted us in queue approaching his shrine, he commanded all the VA'A to hide. we reached the shrine and met stones arrange for us as a sit. We sat down looking horrible with charcoal all over our bodies.

ADDRESS OF DA'AVA'A

Da'ava'a started, I greet you all my children, hope you all left your family healthy?

Testing of Manhood doesn't mean that you are an idol worshiper, it is for your own good. Once you are been tested, you can choose either to come to shrine or not to.

But the advantage is that anywhere you go, whichever VA'A festival is ongoing, you can pass them without being harmed.

Among your age mates, no one will see you as a woman and no one will mock your parents for giving birth to a coward.

At last he brought out a fresh leaf from his bag (duku) and pressed our right side of the chest as a sign of blessings wishing us well.

THE COMING OF THE VA'A.

After performing all the traditional rites and incantations, the da'ava'a asked us to stand up and raise our sticks above our head. The elders arrange us and asked if we were ready? we answered "yes" the da'ava'a commanded the VA'A to come out of it's hidden place by saying "VA'A etah" meaning let VA'A come.

All of a sudden, VA'A came out in queue. that was the first day I set my eyes on VA'A at a close range.

DESCRIPTION OF (VA'A BONG)

VA'ABONG is an object that has horn, hair from head to toe, wide mouth with reddish lips, sickle like legs, tiny hands for holding koboko and a wooden like shape.

TESTING THE MANHOOD.

According to tradition, seven VA'A from seven clans of Kwalayang will come for the test of Manhood. each VA'A will flog each Ja'ava'a seven times. However after all the VA'A has flog each Ja'ava'a, the da'a va'a will command the VA'A to go and hide meanwhile, the Ja'ava'a will sit down and a very big calabash containing local beer " burkutu" will be served round. After serving the burkutu, all the Ja'ava'a will stand up and adopt the same position as before, and the da'a va'a will still command the VA'A to come. It will continue like that till everyone is been flogged 7 times seven.

EVENTS AFTER TEST OF MANHOOD

After the test of Manhood, all Ja'ava'a must be tested on the use of traditional musical instruments. The aim is to enlightened Ja'ava'a on each instruments. the way it is used, the name and to teach everyone how to play the instruments.

Thereafter, different VA'A from different neighborhood will come and great Ja'ava'a for enduring and to congratulates the Ja'ava'a.

DEPARTING THE SHRINE IN THE EVENING

When it is evening time, VA'A will vacate the shrine with Ja'ava'a, to show them the terrain of pa'abending, teach them how to catch witchcraft and to take them round the houses of all the elders of pa'abending.

whenever VA'A visit any elder's house, Ja'ava'a will dance to the tune of the VA'A, different songs will be sang, and the VA'A will lastly greet it's father who is the elder of the particular house in questions before we proceed to another house.

During these days, no woman will be allowed to be seen outside, none of the Ja'ava'a will be allowed to go house, all the Ja'ava'a will be together no bathing, under rain under sun everyone will be outside till after seven days.

END OF MANHOOD TEST

After performing the rites according to the tradition, usually after seven days, every Ja'ava'a will have a unique mark close to his ears to indicate that he is tested.

The da'ava'a will give a word of thanks and pray for god's mercy as everyone embark on journey back to his Destination.

THE END