Diversity of Ritual Spirit Performances among the Baka Pygmies in Southeastern Cameroon

Abstract

Ritual spirit performances among the Baka of Southeast Cameroon were studied. Through an extenxive survey, characteristics and distribution pattern of the performances were described and classified. The social background of the diversification was also analyzed. The kinds and combinations of spirit performances practiced in bands are different among the bands. Such diversity is derived through two processes. (1) Guardianship for organizing spirit rituals is transmitted individually, which generates different combinations of spirit performances practiced in each band. (2) New spirit performances are created by individuals and practiced in the limited number of bands. As well as diversification in ritual practices, tendency toward standardization also takes place. Limited versions of new spirit performance are adopted by the Baka. Furthermore, creators of spirit performances often incorporate the elements of existing spirit performance. Through these processes, the performances are eventually satandardized. The variety of Baka spirit performance is maintained by a balance between diversification and standardization, which may reflect the present-day Baka need to establish social identity in a transition from the flexible and loosely organized nomadic society to a more sedentarized life in recent years.