Affinity Bloc: Sub-Saharan African

Overview: Bantu refers to a large, complex linguistic grouping of peoples in Africa. The Cameroon-Bamileke Bantu people cluster encompasses multiple Bantu ethnic groups primarily found in Cameroon, the largest of which is the Bamileke. The Bamileke, whose origins trace to Egypt, migrated to what is now northern Cameroon between the 11th and 14th centuries. In the 17th century they migrated further south and west to avoid being forced to convert to Islam. Today, a majority of peoples within this people cluster are Christians.

Peoples within this cluster: Aghem; Anyang; Atong; Awing; Baba; Bafanji; Bafumen; Bamali; Bambalang; Bambili; Bamenyam; Bamileke-Bakwa, Bakoa; Bamileke-Bandjoun, Ghomala'; Bamileke-Batcham; Bamileke-Medumba; Bamileke-Ngombale; Bamileke-Tchang; Bamileke Fefe; Bamileke Ndanda; Bangolan; Bekpak; Bokwa-Kendem; Bum; Busam; Dimbong; Dzodinka; Esimbi (Age); Fut; Kidzom; Kwa; Laimbue; Mandankwe; Mbaw; Mbubem; Mengaka; Menka; Mundani; Mungaka; Ndemli; Ndop-Bamessing; Ndop-Bamunka; Nfumte; Ngemba; Ngi; Ngishe; Ngomba; Ngwe; Ngwo; Nkom; Nso; Nyang; Oku; Pinyin; Tikar; Vengoo; Weh; Widekum; Wimbum; Wushi, Babessi

Countries where they are found: Cameroon; Nigeria