THE IMPACT OF CASH AND COMMODITIZATION ON THE BAKA HUNTER-GATHERER SOCIETY IN SOUTHEASTERN CAMEROON

Abstract

The Baka in southeastern Cameroon are one of the "Pygmy" hunter-gatherer groups living in the tropical rainforest of central Africa. Since the 1950s, they have gradually adopted cultivation and sedentarization, as well as the use of money and commoditization. One of the characteristics of the Baka monetary activities is the importance of direct and immediate consumption, similar to that in hunting-gathering activities. Small amounts of money are used differently from the way large amounts of money are used. The former is used for daily goods, and the latter is for bride-wealth. The limited usage of bills of high denomination prevents inequality across the society of the Baka in spite of the large difference in their cash income. But there is a potential for capitalistic use of money and inequality through the commoditization of labor among the Baka. In the 1950s, the Baka were under farmer control in term of the circulation of money and European products, which enlarged social and economic dominance of farmers over the Baka. However, the adoption of cultivation of Bakas' fields, the increased importance of the Baka as cacao and coffee field laborers, and the advance of logging companies, loosened farmer control of money and European products. These circumstances have helped the Baka keep relative autonomy in their economy and society, compared to other Pygmy groups at present.