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26-873: The Beti-Pahuin are made up of over 20 individual clans. Altogether, they inhabit a territory of forests and rolling hills that stretches from the Sanaga River in the north to Equatorial Guinea and the northern halves of Gabon to Congo to the south, and from the Atlantic Ocean to the west to the Dja River in the east. The first grouping, called the Beti , consists of the Ewondo (more precisely Kolo ), Bane , Fang (more precisely M'fang ), Mbida-Mbane , Mvog-Nyenge , Bran (more precisely Brang or Brong ) and Eton (or Iton ). The Eton are further subdivided into

52-570: A collection of families who bear the same coat of arms , as opposed to claiming a common descent (see Polish heraldry ). There are multiple closely related clans in the Indian subcontinent , especially South India . Romani people have many clans which are called vitsa in Romani. Scottish clans are social groupings that have played a pivotal role in the history and culture of Scotland. Unlike some other clans that focus solely on common descent or

78-422: A consequence of this matrilineal past we can still nowadays see the strong link among the maternal uncle and the nephew. The family (a man, his wife or wives, and his children) forms the backbone of this system. Several families of a common lineage live together in a village , and in turn, several related villages form a clan . These clans come under the nominal rule of a chief, who is also traditionally regarded as

104-587: A number of sizable towns and cities, most of which were begun by the Germans or French. Here, settlements are more in the European pattern, with a network of streets, various neighborhoods, and central administrative or commercial districts. Most individuals maintain an agrarian lifestyle . Manioc and maize form the staple crops with plantains , yams , and groundnuts also playing a vital role (in fact, "Ewondo" and/or "Yaoundé" mean "groundnut") and in general

130-585: A religious authority. The majority of the Beti-Pahuin ethnic groups live in small, roadside villages of no more than a few hundred inhabitants. These villages are mostly linear, with houses paralleling the road and backed by forest. The typical dwelling unit is constructed of dried-mud bricks placed onto a bamboo frame and roofed with raffia-palm fronds. In recent times, metal roofing has become increasingly common, and wealthier individuals may construct their homes in concrete. Beti-Pahuin territory also includes

156-1106: A resurgence, such as the Bwiti religion and, as has a flowering of new styles of music and dance, such as the Bikutsi of the Ewondos. Thus, today many Beti-Pahuin consider themselves Christian, go to church on Sundays, and then attend various secret societies or visit a traditional healer at other times during the week. Some Fang peoples also speak or understand their countries’ official languages: Spanish in Equatorial Guinea ( Annobonese in Annobón ); French in Cameroon , Equatorial Guinea , and Gabon ; Portuguese , Angolar , Principense , and Forro in São Tomé and Príncipe , English in Cameroon . Sanaga River The Sanaga River (formerly German : Zannaga )

182-478: A river in Cameroon is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Clan A clan is a group of people united by actual or perceived kinship and descent . Even if lineage details are unknown, a clan may claim descent from a founding member or apical ancestor who serves as a symbol of the clan's unity. Many societies' exogamy rules are on a clan basis, where all members of one's own clan, or

208-464: A shared coat of arms, Scottish clans are unique in their elaborate systems of tartans, insignias, and mottos. Clan culture in Scotland also extends to community events such as clan gatherings and Highland Games. Each clan may have an official leader known as a "Chieftain" or "Chief." Members of Scottish clans often have a shared interest in preserving their historical and cultural landmarks, as well as

234-737: A third of all Beti-Pahuin in Cameroon. The Bulu include the Bulu proper of Sangmélima , Kribi, and Ebolowa , the Fong and Zaman of the Dja River valley, the Yengono , Yembama and Yelinda of the Nyong River valley, and the Yesum , Yebekanga , Yebekolo , and Mvele . In addition, several other peoples are currently being assimilated or "Pahuinised" by their Beti-Pahuin neighbours. These include

260-539: Is central to the lives of many Beti-Pahuin, particularly in Equatorial Guinea and São Tomé and Príncipe. In addition, a substantial number of Beti-Pahuin are involved in the cocoa plantations that dot the territory of Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and Cameroon's south. Most of these are Bulus or Fangs, since their territory contains the largest concentration of plantations. In contrast, the Ewondos farther north often find work as unskilled labor, as their environment

286-608: Is formed by the confluence of the Djérem and Lom Rivers in the north of the East Region . Djérem River has a total length of 464.5 km (288.6 mi) and Lom River a total length of 424.2 km (263.6 mi). Apart from these originating rivers, the largest tributary of Sanaga is Mbam River with a total length of 548 km (341 mi). The Sanaga River forms a boundary between two tropical moist forest ecoregions . The Cross-Sanaga-Bioko coastal forests lie to

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312-548: Is much more urbanized. Many Beti-Pahuin were highly skilled workers in wood, ivory, and soapstone . They were particularly noted for their lively masks . Most Beti-Pahuin peoples were Christianised by 1939 (though the Fang were also influenced by the Mitsogo ). At that time, much of their traditional culture was abandoned, including much native dance and song . After the colonial era ended, their traditional religion has enjoyed

338-458: Is quite common to speak of "clans" in reference to informal networks within the economic and political sphere. This usage reflects the assumption that their members act towards each other in a particularly close and mutually supportive way, approximating the solidarity among kinsmen. Similar usage of the term applies to specific groups of various cultures and nationalities involved in organized crime . Polish clans differ from most others as they are

364-486: Is the largest river in Cameroon located in East Region , Centre Region and Littoral Region . Its length is about 603 km (375 mi) from the confluence of Djérem and Lom River. The total length of Sanaga-Djérem River system is about 1,067.5 km (663.3 mi). Djerem is the longest source of Sanaga River with a total length of 464.5 km. The Sanaga River has its source at the Adamawa Plateau . It

390-648: Is the most widely spoken of the Beti languages in Cameroon, with an estimated 1,200,000 speakers in 1982. It serves as a lingua franca in Yaoundé and much of the rest of Cameroon's Center and South Provinces. The Eton live primarily in the Lekie division of Cameroon's Centre Province with major settlements at Sa'a and Obala . They speak the Eton language or dialect, which had 500,000 speakers in 1982. The Fang (or Fan) form

416-642: The ætter , are often translated as "house" or "line". The Biblical tribes of Israel were composed of many clans. Arab clans are sub-tribal groups within Arab society. Native American and First Nations peoples, often referred to as "tribes", also have clans. For instance, Ojibwa bands are smaller parts of the Ojibwa people or tribe in North America . The many Native American peoples are distinguished by language and culture, and most have clans and bands as

442-514: The Manguissa , Yekaba , Bamvele , Evuzok , Batchanga (Tsinga) , Omvang , Yetude , and, to some extent, the Baka . A large number of Beti-Pahuin are involved in lucrative enterprises such as cocoa and coffee farming. The Beti-Pahuin peoples organised themselves according to a series of patrilineal kinships, although some of its subgroups seem to have practiced matriliny in the past. As

468-728: The Oxford English Dictionary , the word "clan" was introduced into English in around 1425, as a descriptive label for the organization of society in Ireland and the Scottish Highlands . None of the Irish and Scottish Gaelic terms for kinship groups is cognate to English clan ; Scottish Gaelic clann means "children": In different cultures and situations, a clan usually has different meaning than other kin-based groups, such as tribes and bands . Often,

494-725: The Eton-Beti , Eton-Beloua , and Beloua-Eton . The Ewondo, or Yaunde, are centered on Yaoundé , Cameroon's capital, which was named for them. They also populate the eastern Mefou division and the Mfoundi and Nyong and So divisions in the Centre Province . The remainder of their territory lies in the northern portions of the Ocean division in the South Province . Their language (or Beti dialect), also called Ewondo ,

520-562: The basic kinship organizations. In some cases tribes recognized each other's clans; for instance, both the Chickasaw and Choctaw tribes of the Southeast United States had fox and bear clans, who felt a kinship that reached beyond their respective tribes. Apart from these different historical traditions of kinship, conceptual confusion arises from colloquial usages of the term. In post- Soviet countries, for example, it

546-404: The clans of both parents or even grandparents, are excluded from marriage as incest . Clans preceded more centralized forms of community organization and government, and have existed in every country. Members may identify with a coat of arms or other symbol. The English word "clan" is derived from old Irish clann meaning "children", "offspring", "progeny" or "descendants". According to

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572-603: The distinguishing factor is that a clan is a smaller, integral part of a larger society such as a tribe , chiefdom , or a state . In some societies, clans may have an official leader such as a chief , matriarch or patriarch ; or such leadership role is performed by elders. In others, leadership positions may have to be achieved. Examples include Irish , Scottish , Chinese , Korean , and Japanese clans , which exist as distinct social groupings within their respective nations. Note, however, that tribes and bands can also be components of larger societies. The early Norse clans ,

598-540: The earth. A variety of forest products, such as greens , insects , mushrooms , and various palm products, supplements the diet. Livestock is limited to small animals that may be left to forage unattended, such as goats , pigs , and chickens . These are typically saved for special occasions such as funerals or New Year's Day . Instead, the main source of animal protein during the year, comes from bushmeat , that is, wild game such as pangolin , porcupine , and monkey brought in by jungle hunters . Likewise, fishing

624-645: The natural environment and wildlife of Scotland. The clan system in Scotland has also been influenced by key historical events like the Highland Clearances and the Jacobite uprisings, which have left lasting impacts on clan structures and Scottish diaspora. Clannism (in Somali culture, qabiilism ) is a system of society based on clan affiliation. The Islamic world , the Near East , North and

650-996: The north between the Sanaga River and the Cross River of Nigeria , and the Atlantic Equatorial coastal forests extend south of the river through southwestern Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea , Gabon , the Republic of the Congo , Cabinda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo . The flow of the river was measured at Edéa in m³/s Beginning at the headwaters, there are 2 dams on the Sanaga River: 3°33′33.62″N 9°39′07.83″E  /  3.5593389°N 9.6521750°E  / 3.5593389; 9.6521750 This article related to

676-680: The second group. Individual ethnic groups include the Fang proper, the Ntumu , the Mvae , and the Okak . Fang territories begin at the southern edge of Cameroon south of Kribi , Djoum , and Mvangan in the South Province and continue south across the border, including all of Río Muni in Equatorial Guinea and south into Gabon and Congo . The third grouping is called the Bulu and makes up about

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