Initiation into Wealth in Bamiléké Country: How Does the Child Move from the Chicken to the Goat?

Explore how Bamiléké children transition from raising chickens to owning their first goat, guided by mothers, fathers, and community wisdom in a unique system of economic initiation.

Initiation into Wealth in Bamiléké Country: How Does the Child Move from the Chicken to the Goat?

The guiding figure in the economic initiation of the child—from birth up to the sale of chickens—is generally the mother. To this indispensable person, who serves as the child’s first treasurer and coach, we must add the older children and those of the same age group. These other children, older or of the same age, act either as examples or counter‑examples. It is later that another decisive figure enters this long process of initiation: the father.

The Father’s Role in the Economic Education of the Young Bamiléké

The father’s role usually begins when the child reaches pre‑adolescence. During childhood, the child has collected Magessams and taken care of his chickens. He now feels ready to take a step further. Let us recall that when the child’s hen has its first chicks, the child must give one chick to his father. This chick is called Gop Tá (“the father’s chicken”).

This gesture is very important, as it officially signals to the father that the child is making efforts and succeeding in his economic education. It is often a moment of pride for the father and a sign that his time to intervene in the process is drawing near.

It is important to note that the figure of the father in the Bamiléké context is not limited to the biological father. This role is indeed primarily fulfilled by the biological father, but when he cannot—for reasons of death or other circumstances—an uncle, a grandfather, or even another older man close to the family can validly assume this role. In this sense, it is very difficult in Bamiléké land to say that a child has no father.

Buying the Young Adolescent’s First Goat

When the money earned from gradually selling chickens becomes sufficient to buy a goat, the mother hands this money to the young adolescent and asks him to present it to his father. The father collects the money and decides on the day he will go to the market with the child to buy his first goat.

The young adolescent accompanies his father to observe how negotiations are conducted at the market—the art of dialogue needed to reach a price that satisfies both parties. He also learns how to detect a good goat, especially one that will give birth to twins.

Once the deal is concluded, the young adolescent returns home with his goat, holding the rope tied around its neck.

When I was still in Bandjoun, the market where we bought goats was located at the small market square of the chiefdom in Hiala. Among the Bandjoun, the small market is called Dze‑mto, which literally means “the first merchandise.” To understand why this day is called “first merchandise,” one must refer to the previous day, Go‑Suo, which literally means “going to Bansoa.” Thus, the first merchandise sold in Bandjoun was what had been bought the day before in Bansoa.

Caring for the First Goat

Caring for the goat occupies a large part of the young adolescent’s day. Early in the morning, he goes to find a place with fresh green grass to tie the goat. Around midday, he finds another spot, and in the evening, he brings the goat home.

When the time comes, he will take his goat to a compound where there is a male goat for mating. He will then follow the gestation of his goat and later, the development of the newborn kids. Gradually, he will build his herd, and from time to time, he will go to sell goats with his father to prepare for the next stage.

And You?

Are roles distributed in the economic education of children in your culture?
What is the role of the father? Share your experience in the comments.