Projekt

Bakola is a language spoken in Southern Cameroon by marginalized communities of forest foragers (commonly called "Pygmies"). Their traditional lifestyle consists of exploiting the forest and trading with the farmer communities. However, the forests of the Bakola region have been highly compromised over the years. The Bakola are increasingly sedentary and are beginning the process of assimilation with the farming communities. As a result of this situation, the Bakola speakers experience partial or complete language shift to the languages of their neighbors. The goals of this project are to document the Bakola language and culture comprehending an extensive multimedia dictionary and a representative text collection of language use. Video recordings will sample cultural events of many kinds, include performances and rituals. The specialized vocabulary will focus on the relationship with their environment. The data selected will also be relevant for studies in various fields such as cultural and social anthropology, ethnomusicology, and ethnobotany. Under the supervision of Professor Mous, the actual research will be conducted by Emmanuel Ngue Um, Daniel Duke and Nadine Borchardt.

• Prof. Dr. Maarten Mous

  Leiden University
  Leiden University Centre for Linguistics
  Faculty of Humanities
  Languages and Cultures of Africa
  Leiden
  Niederlande
  

• Prof. Dr. Tom Güldemann

  Humboldt-Universität Berlin
  Philosophische Fakultät III
  Institut für Asien- und Afrikawissenschaften
  Seminar für Afrikawissenschaften
  Berlin