THE EFFECTS OF SOME CULTURAL PRACTICES ON THE SOCIAL INTEGRATION OF WOMEN IN BALI NYONGA, NORTH WEST REGION OF CAMEROON

Abstract

The study investigated the effects of some cultural practices on the social integration of women in Bali Nyonga, North West Region of Cameroon. It sought to specifically examine traditional taboos that impact the social integration of women in Bali.  The qualitative research approach was used and the design adopted was phenomenological and ethnography. A sample size of 40 women was selected using purposive sampling techniques. Data were analyzed thematically and grounded. Findings showed that Traditional taboos hinder the social integration of women negatively in Bali Nyonga as women do not eat certain food and beef such as gizzards, goat meat, egg, chicken, prepared by men and they are not allowed to enter into juju houses. The study generally revealed that while there exist some cultural practices that hinder the social integration of women, there are some positive perspectives of these cultural practices. The study recommends that the traditional councils should sensitise, and carry out enlightenment campaign to educate the Bali indigenes on the necessity of women’s social integration in the community