Mbu in Cameroon

Introduction / History

Mbuk is an Eastern Beboid language from Cameroon, part of the Niger-Congo family. According to oral traditions, Mbuk speakers trace their ancestry to the Tikar people of the Bamenda Grassfields, with stories indicating migration from Sudan's Nile River valley.

The Mbuk community currently resides primarily in the Bum Sub-division, Boyo Division, in Cameroon's Northwest Region.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Mbuk, much like other Cameroonian ethnic groups, are led by a fon (chief or king) who serves as the primary authority figure. While subject to governmental oversight, fons oversee semi-autonomous union councils and hereditary lands. The fon embodies ancestral lineage, playing a crucial role in maintaining traditional values and communal harmony. Historically, the Mbuk fondom was under the larger Bum domain, but it has always maintained distinct land, cultural identity, and language.

Most Mbuk people practice subsistence farming, growing crops such as corn, yams, groundnuts, and vegetables. Men usually handle land preparation and harvesting, while women are responsible for daily garden maintenance. Beekeeping is also common for honey production. Local markets offer opportunities to sell produce, supporting essential services such as healthcare, clothing, and education.

Every year, the community hosts a two-day traditional dance festival focused on peace, agricultural fertility, and prosperity.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Roughly half of the Mbuk population identifies as Christian, though many continue to follow traditional religious practices. Animism—believing that natural objects carry spiritual essence—remains influential, and often, Christian and indigenous beliefs blend together. Family and community harmony are paramount, with many seeking guidance from ancestors.

What Are Their Needs?

The region struggles with frequent conflict between herders and farmers, leading to violence such as murder, theft, torture, and gender-based abuses. Inadequate infrastructure, especially the lack of reliable roads, restricts access to both educational and medical services.

Mbuk remains the main language among its speakers but faces competition from locally dominant Pidgin English and Bum. Although parents are keen to preserve their language, they understand the advantages of children learning other languages for better educational and economic opportunities. Current efforts to document Mbuk are minimal and mainly undertaken by a doctoral researcher.

Chung, a language related to Mbuk, is spoken by people believed to have migrated from the Mbuk community in the past. Over time, linguistic differences have led to them being considered separate languages, although a connection persists. The release of the Chung New Testament in 2021 could be useful for helping to translate the Bible into Mbuk.

Prayer Points

Pray that Bible translation organizations in Cameroon will assist leaders in assessing the need for a project that will help them preserve their language and provide them with access to God’s word, enabling them to become mature followers of Jesus.
Ask God to bless the Mbuk people. Pray for his protection from exploitation, from natural disaster and from armed conflict. Pray for peace in the region between farmers and herders.
Ask God to send workers to help bring his word to the Mbuk people. Without the Bible in their language, it is very difficult for the Mbuk people 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 Mbuk leaders assess the need for a project that will help them preserve their language and provide them with a deeper understanding of God’s word so they might become mature followers of Jesus.

Text Source:   Joshua Project