Introduction / History

Nestled within the lush landscapes of Cameroon's Northwest Region is Kpep village, home to the vibrant Beezen community. Their language, Beezen, is a rare gem—an endangered indigenous tongue classified among the Jukunoid languages of the Niger-Congo family. As legend has it, the Beezens undertook an epic journey from Takpea in Nigeria, settling in Akum village until World War II. After that war, they relocated to their current home.

Kpep village itself is divided into four quarters—Buhim, Kang, Ahan, and Kunashin.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Farming lies at the heart of the Beezen way of life: fields bursting with coco-yams, bananas, corn, potatoes, and beans shape both the landscape and the culture. While age-old practices like grass burning have shaped these lands, Government programs encourage farmers to adopt modern techniques and sustainable fertilization.

Music weaves through every major moment—births, funerals, weddings—echoing through the air with lively drumming and melodic xylophone notes that carry stories across generations.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Many Beezens uphold animistic beliefs, relying on spirits of nature and ancestral spirits. At the same time, some families have embraced Christianity, predominantly Roman Catholicism.

What Are Their Needs?

Yet, for all its resilience, the Beezen community faces significant challenges. The shadow of conflict in Mechum Division has caused displacement, property loss, kidnappings, and made essentials like healthcare and education hard to access.

A major hydroelectric power development on the nearby Katsina Ala River overshadows their lives. This could threaten the traditional life and home of the Beezen people. On the other hand, the Beezens may benefit from the additional supply of power – that is not yet clear.

Despite these hardships, language remains a powerful thread linking Beezen people together. Though not officially recognized or widely taught in schools, Beezen is the heartbeat of daily communication—from home life and work to lively ceremonies and heartfelt gatherings. Intergroup exchanges often unfold in Cameroon Pidgin or in the Jukun language, and the use of Beezen is waning among the youth. Sadly, there’s no written literature yet to capture its beauty.

Prayer Items

Pray for the well-being of the Bezeens. Pray for their protection from exploitation, from natural disaster and from the ongoing civil conflict.
Ask God to send workers to help bring his word and more of his love to the Bezeen people. Without the Bible in their language, it is tough for the Bezeens to know God intimately. They are missing out on the depth of the relationship that God desires for them.
Pray that Bible translation organizations in Cameroon will conduct more survey work to help Bezeen leaders assess the need for a project that will enable them to preserve their language and gain a deeper understanding of God’s Word, so they may become mature followers of Jesus.

Scripture Prayers for the Beezen in Cameroon.

References

Beezen language - Wikipedia
Beezen Language - Ethnologue
Rapid Appraisal of Beezen (SIL pdf)
PeopleGroups.org - Beezen
Project - DOBES : Sociolinguistic profile and degree of language endangerment
Kpep Power Project