Wealth, Law, and Moral Authority: Marriage and Christian Mobilization in Interwar Cameroon

Before European colonization, bridewealth was a form of matrimonial compensation paid principally in bikié, or iron bars, along with kola nuts, palm wine, tools, and livestock, which then incorporated guns and ivory in the early and mid-nineteenth century and German marks after 1885.10 During the in...

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Published in:	The International journal of African historical studies Vol. 48; no. 3; pp. 393 - 424
Main Author:	Walker-Said, Charlotte
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	New York Boston University African Studies Center 01.01.2015 Boston University
Subjects:	19th century Africa Automobiles Bars Bicycles Bridewealth Business Cameroon Catholics Christians Clergy Colonization Compensation Couples Economic growth Family law French language German language History Inflation International relations Interwar period Language history Law Livestock Management Marriage Marriage law Metals Missionaries Mobilization Morality Motor cars Noncitizens Politics Prestige Religion Religious congregations Religious missions Society Tobacco Trade Tradition Traditions Wealth Youth Cameroon Africa
ISSN:	0361-7882, 2326-3016
Online Access:	Get full text
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Summary:	Before European colonization, bridewealth was a form of matrimonial compensation paid principally in bikié, or iron bars, along with kola nuts, palm wine, tools, and livestock, which then incorporated guns and ivory in the early and mid-nineteenth century and German marks after 1885.10 During the interwar years, a rapidly expanding economy with complex systems of African labor management-overseen by French concessionary societies as well as administration-appointed African chiefs-generated new demands as part of bridewealth, including hard currency, as well as livestock, alcohol, tobacco, and luxury or prestige goods like metals and imported liquors.11 In Cameroon's major cities, wealthy families expanded their demands to include fine clothes, bicycles, automobiles, and sometimes tens of thousands of francs in cash.12 This inflation provoked outrage among foreigners as well as locals, prompting the administration to pass a series of laws against "bride commerce" and missionaries to restrict sanctified marriages to those who eschewed bridewealth exchange entirely.13 Burgeoning African Catholic congregations and communities also countered bridewealth aggrandizement by creating outlets for unmarried youth and young couples to critique the practice.
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ISSN:	0361-7882 2326-3016