Mysteries in the Wimbum Traditional Religion

Wimbum is a tribe in the North West Region of the Republic of Cameroon.

Patient with rotten leg receiving traditional healing in Wimbum area

What happens to someone when he dies? In Wimbum area, most people believe that if a person dies it is the will of god. That is what they will say. When someone after drinking a lot of palm wine falls into a stream through his carelessness and dies, Wimbum people will still say that if god didn’t want him to die he wouldn’t have taken some much palm wine to get drunk. Wimbum people say it was the time god wanted him to die that way. And again, there are different ways of dying – bad and good deaths. The bad death is one that you die yourself. Nobody has an idea how you started before dying. In this case it will look like witchcraft. People will say that it was someone in your family or that the person dying a bad death was demanding something from somebody or wanted something, then the opponent being some witch man pushed him that way.

Now they say like this but when you follow it deeply they will say it is god who directed the other wizard or witch to get him. If god wants you to die you don’t just die directly, he will send someone to push you or get you by the neck. So if god doesn’t want you to die witchcraft can’t kill you. They say it is the will of god, but it comes through somebody so you die that way. Again people believe if a man dies at the correct time taken by god, it should be a man of age. If you die at an old age, they will say it is your time, that god has called you.

Originally before Christianity all Wimbum were pagans and believed that ancestors were gods. Nowadays even Wimbum Christians still deal with ancestors except a few believers who know well about God. There is the belief in gods of a certain area. Now for example when you commit a crime in the farm by killing a crab or faceless snake you have to bring a chicken to the man who owns the land so that he talks to the god of the compound that you made a mistake by killing the animal. There is also god of the stream, forest, land etc. The god of the land is the god of the whole area like a village.

The Wimbum believe that sickness is caused by carelessness or by your enemies. Your enemy if he has no means to kill you he will make poison that will work gradually. They believe carelessness or faults cause illness. When you are at fault, your mind is not steady and you are always fearful. If someone steals your thing and later become sick he will think it is caused by you. Each time someone is seriously ill they ask him “what have you done”? Some sickness they say is caused by somebody is caused by guilt and conscience. Also they say someone is a witch because he is never sick but this is not true they again affirm this is a straight forward person who has no fault. They may want to harm that person because of envy by putting harmful medicine in the ground for him to cross but it will not work because he has no fault. In Wimbum belief system, most sicknesses come because people invite through their own faults.

Now we will fail to see how death is the result of witchcraft and God. To round up good and bad death both are the will of God and the will of people because god can’t kill directly but send witches or wizards to kill. Most do not affirm this today because of their self images as Christians. Wimbum traditional religion is polytheistic. They have several gods and ancestors mixing these with catholic concepts of God and saints make them still polytheistic today. Guilt is the most cause of sickness even harmful medicine will have no effect on a person with a clear conscience they hold. 

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BIYABI FAMILY TABENKEN IN YAOUNDE EXHIBIT THEIR IDENTITY

Even though a language and way of life, customs, traditions may serve as identification of a people, it has become practice to see several groupings clad in this or that loin as the most authentic form of identification. Reason why every weekend njangi groups, cultural groups and sometimes church groups always try to make a difference through fashionable outfit.

Saturday October 11, 2014 was the turn of the Biyabi family Tabenken in Yaounde to exhibit their identity. After several months of postponement D-day came at last with resounding success confirming that such postponement only gave room for appropriate meticulous preparations. The Nyom–Mesasi quarters that played host to the event became a hub, attracting hundreds of friends, relatives, well–wishers, curious onlookers and of course gate–crashers who answered present to witness for themselves. Participants were treated to a red–carpet reception as they were entertained with a rich cultural manifestation. Savouring of some palm–wine, “sha” or corn juice, fufu corn and “njamsu”, “ka’ati ka’ati”, egusi pudding and some hot “koki” was on the menu.

According to Mr. Yembe Frederick, President of the Biyabi Family meeting in Yaounde, “the occasion was a moment of communion with the people since we were elected into office. This is my first major event and I am happy that the turn–out was very wonderful…I can see that everybody has had at least something to eat and drink. We have to thank God for this and pray God to continue to help our family to grow in love and unity…”

The occasion was chaired by Mr. Tifor Ephraim Foncha sitting in for Mr. Ndi Killian, the deputy Chairperson in charge of fundraising, Mr. Polycarp Labah, deputy chairperson in charge of animation, Mrs. Ngayi Sama Celestine (ASP), deputy chairperson in charge of drinks and logistics, Mr. Isaac Keku Ndinwa, deputy chairperson in charge of feeding, Mrs Eveline Labah.

All happened under the watchful eyes of Mr. Oliver Tata Ndi, President of the Tabenken Cultural and Development Association (TACUDA) Yaounde branch.

The Biyabi family is one of the six families that make up Tabenken village of Nkambe Central, Donga Mantung Division of the North West Region. It is one of the largest families in Tabenken whose tentacles are spread into the five other families and beyond. Tabenken is one of the most highly populated villages in the whole of North West with about 30.000 inhabitants. The Biyabi alone make up 1/3 of this population. They are very dynamic, industrious and proactive people.

US Embassy Polishes Journalists Skills on ICT tools

Participants lined up for a group pic with Tim and Corey (BO Images)

Some 25 Journalists drawn from various media outlets in Limbe, Buea and Bamenda have updated their skills on the use of ICT tools in online journalism, during a two day workshop in Limbe from the 6 to 7 of August, 2014, organized by the U.S Embassy Yaoundé in collaboration with the Cameroon Association of English Speaking Journalist (CAMASEJ). “This workshop comes at the right time as most media organs in the country are looking at the internet as the next platform to distribute their content” Francis Zante, a participant from the Eden Newspaper said. ‘These two days have taught me a lot, the importance of story tags, Google glass, what kind of content to be distributed on which platform, some key interview techniques that we usually ignore just to name these few’ said Atia Hilarious, a reporter with the Sun Newspaper. Opening the workshop, Timothy Lewis, Information Officer at the US Embassy in Yaoundé said ‘traditional media such as radio, television and the printing press has been significantly impacted with the arrival of new ICTs’ Timothy Lewis opening the workshop (BO Images) Timothy Lewis opening the workshop (BO Images) ‘Cameroon’s media outlets are gradually integrating such tools into their operations and this trend will continue’ he continued. The aim of the workshop he said was to equip journalist with skills a

Prof. Corey Takahashi demonstrating the use of some ICT gadgets (BO Images)

nd training that will help them remain competitive in a changing landscape and relevant to the growing networked audience. According to Prof. Corey Takahashi, the main facilitator at the workshop, the internet provides a platform for both traditional and modern media, big and small media outlets and individuals to put their message to a worldwide audience. He said despite the fact that internet speed and accessibility are issues in Cameroon; that will change sooner because technology usually gets cheaper with time and not the other way round. Prof. Takahashi said the internet is an instant platform that presents journalists and bloggers with a global audience, is not restricted by borders, is cheap, and offers so many free softwares like twitter, facebook, blogger, youtube and wordpress that gives flexibility on which way to disseminate information. Prof. Corey Takahashi demonstrating the use of some ICT gadgets (BO Images) Prof. Corey Takahashi demonstrating the use of some ICT gadgets (BO Images) The participants during the workshop sharpened their skills on the powers of digital story telling in text, audio, video and apps forms, forms of information distribution and audience engagement, best practices from digital media companies, and various ways of low cost digital production, the use of some ICT tools like Google glass, cameras and mobile phones amongst others. The Limbe workshop was a follow up to a similar workshop organized in Doula for journalists from Doula, Bamenda and Yaoundé. By Abongwa Fozo in Limbe

World on a string: Breakthrough fiber optic cable 2,500X faster than fastest internet

Fibre Optic Cables

Imagine downloading your favorite flick in 31 thousandths of a second. Such insane internet speeds are now a reality, with researchers rolling out a 255 terabits per second fiber optic network which could transport the entire Internet on a single cable.

The cable, the joint effort of Dutch and US scientists, is 2,550 times faster than the fastest single-fiber links in commercial operation today.

In real terms, it could transfer a 1 GB movie in 0.03 milliseconds or the entire contents of your 1 terabit hard drive in about 31 milliseconds.

At this speed, a single fiber optic cable could theoretically carry the all the data on the internet at peak times.

But how does it work?

Researchers from Eindhoven University of Technology and the University of Central Florida employed a well-known but still cost-prohibitive technology; multi-mode fiber.

Normal fibre optic cables contain thousands of strands of glass or plastic fibre which are slightly thicker than the thread of a needle. These fibers can, in essence, only carry the light for a single laser.

The multi-mode fiber used by the researchers in contrast, has seven distinct cores in a hexagonal shape which are able to carry just as many distinct signals at one time. What’s more, they are squeezed down into the size of the same kind of fiber optic cables used to support the current transatlantic internet cables.

In layman’s terms, it is something akin to a one way road being stretched out into a seven lane highway. This seven lane highway is then stretched into a multi-tier freeway, much like the so-called LA 'Stack'. Except in this case, it’s like a seven lane, multi-story drag race, with all the power from the individual vehicles being directed into a single source.

Researchers said that this new type of optical fibre is like "allowing 21 times more bandwidth than currently available in communication networks," which is 4-8 Terabits per second standard.

Moreover, the researchers have introduced "two additional orthogonal dimensions for data transportation - as if three cars can drive on top of each other in the same lane."

In their test, the researchers managed to reach speeds of 5.1 terabits for each of the seven carriers. Then, by using wavelength division multiplexing (WDM), which allows a number of optical carrier signals onto a single optical wire, they managed to cram 50 carriers down the seven cores, reaching the massive 255 terabit per second speed.

Measuring less than 200 microns in diameter, the new fiber does not take noticeably more space than conventional fibres already deployed, Dr. Chigo Okonkwo who led the work explained.

“These remarkable results, supported by the European Union Framework 7, MODEGAP, definitely give the possibility to achieve petabits per second transmission, which is the focus of the European Commission in the coming seven-year Horizon 2020 research program,” Okonkwo said.

Research results were recently published in the journal Nature Photonics.

While the technology for multi-mode fiber is in place, the price tag on replacing the millions of miles of existing cables could put the upgrade off for decades.

But with the mind-blistering implications of a world wide web operating at thousands of times its current maximum speed, the cost of holding off on the upgrade for too long may be incalculable.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION INTO Higher Institute of Transport and Logistics of The University of Bamenda

The Vice Chancellor of The University of Bamenda hereby announces the requirements for the candidates seeking admission into the Higher Institute of Transport and Logistics Bambili of The University of Bamenda through the 2014/2015 competitive entrance examinations to keenly follow the REGISTRATION PROCEDURE AND REQUIREMENTS outlined below.

DEPARTMENT	Maritime Transport	Land Transport	Transit and Logistics
REQUIRED DIPLOMAS OR CERTIFICATES	- Minimum 5 GCE O/L with a pass in English and Maths or Economics and, any other 3 subjects excluding Religious Knowledge OR Probatoire C,D,E, G2 and industrial series with a pass in English and Mathematics or Economics. -  Minimum 2 GCE A/L papers including Maths or Economics and any other paper excluding Religious Knowledge OR BAC C, D,E,G2 and industrial series with a pass in Maths or Economics	- Minimum 5 GCE O/L with a pass in English and Maths or Economics and, any other 3 subjects excluding Religious Knowledge OR Probatoire C,D,E, G2 and industrial series with a pass in English and Mathematics or Economics. -  Minimum 2 GCE A/L papers including Maths or Economics and any other paper excluding Religious Knowledge OR BAC C,D,E,G2 and industrial series with a pass in Maths or Economics	- Minimum 5 GCE O/L with a pass in English and Maths or Economics and, any other 3 subjects excluding Religious Knowledge OR Probatoire C,D,E, G2 and industrial series with a pass in English and Mathematics or Economics. -  Minimum 2 GCE A/L papers including Maths or Economics and any other paper excluding Religious Knowledge OR BAC C,D,E,G2 and industrial series with a pass in Maths or Economics

(1) The examination shall be organized in one sitting to Cameroonians of both sexes, holders of GCE A/L or Baccalaureate or any equivalent diploma recognized by the Minister of Higher Education in addition to at least 5 O/L papers including English Language and Maths or Economics and excluding Religion knowledge.
(2) The table above shows the required diplomas or certificates a candidate must have to be qualified to register for the common entrance in a given Department.
            
An application file shall comprise the following documents:

• A registration form to be collected from the Higher Institute of Transport and Logistics (HITL), Bambili or MINESUP Yaounde;
• A certified photocopy of the birth certificate dated not more than six (6) months;
• A certified photocopy of GCE O/L or Probatoire dated not more than six (06) months;
• A certified photocopy of GCE A/L or Baccalaureate or equivalent diploma dated not more than six (6) months;
• Certified photocopies of transcripts of GCE O/L and GCE A/L or Probatoire and Baccalaureate;
• A medical certificate which is less than three (03) months issued by a Doctor of the Public Service;
• A receipt upon payment of twenty thousand (20,000) FCFA as non-refundable registration fees delivered by NFC BANK S.A following the bank code

10025 00032 16201050747 67

• One self-addressed large envelope bearing stamps in conformity with the regulations in force;
• Four passport size photographs.

Complete files should be submitted to HITL Bamenda latest November 15, 2014.
Download The Application Form on the Link Below
Publication date: 28/10/2014

Download pdf File: Application_form_for_HITL_entrance.pdf

FIFA reveals Ballon D'Or shortlist

Yaya Toure the only African on FIFA list.

World football governing body FIFA has announced the shortlist for the 2014 Ballon d’Or. The list is dominated by players from Germany, which won the last FIFA World Cup in July.23 players made the preliminary list, with Ballon d’Or holder Cristiano Ronaldo favourite to retain the title, Also shortlisted are four – time winner Lionel Messi, Welsh star Gareth Bale, World Cup golden boot winner James Rodriguez, Sergio Ramos, Karim Benzema, Toni Kroos and Manchester City duo Sergio Agüero and the only African on the shortlist, Yaya Toure. 

BALLON D’OR SHORTLIST

Gareth Bale (Wales)
Karim Benzema (France)
Diego Costa (Spain)
Thibaut Courtois (Belgium)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
Angel Di Maria (Argentina)
Mario Goetze (Germany)
Eden Hazard (Belgium)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden)
Andres Iniesta (Spain)
Toni Kroos (Germany)
Philipp Lahm (Germany)
Javier Mascherano (Argentina)
Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Thomas Mueller (Germany)
Manuel Neuer (Germany)
Neymar (Brazil)
Paul Pogba (France)
Sergio Ramos (Spain)
Arjen Robben (Netherlands)
James Rodriguez (Colombia)
Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany)
Yaya Toure (Côte d’Ivoire)
COACH OF THE YEAR SHORTLIST
Carlo Ancelotti (Italy/Real Madrid CF)
Antonio Conte (Italy/Juventus FC/Italy national team)
Pep Guardiola (Spain/FC Bayern Munich)
Jurgen Klinsmann (Germany/USA national team)
Joachim Loew (Germany/Germany national team)
Jose Mourinho (Portugal/Chelsea FC)
Manuel Pellegrini (Chile/Manchester City FC)
Alejandro Sabella (Argentina/Argentina national team)
Diego Simeone (Argentina/Atletico Madrid)
Louis van Gaal (Netherlands/Netherlands national team/Manchester United FC)
Voting will by the captains and head coaches of the men’s national teams as well as by international media representatives selected by France Football.

Source: Adekoya Adetola (@aloteda)

Uses of Computers in various areas

Computers in the 60s were designed for research and database management purposes. Nowadays, computers are used in various activities in nearly every sector of society. Major areas of computer application include: Agriculture, Education, Science and Engineering, Finance, Medicine, Entertainment, Industry, Commerce, Military and Communication.

1.    Agriculture: Computers are used for analyzing farm products, environmental conditions and soil testing.

2.    Education: Computers have its dominant use in the education field which can significantly enhance performance in learning. Even distance learning is made productive and effective through internet and video-based classes. Computers are used in the teaching/learning processes for lectures, doing assignments, writing academic papers etc

3.    Science and Engineering: Computers are used for studying experimental results, solving complex mathematical equations, detecting decryptions and in manufacturing.

4.    Finance: The foremost important thing is to store information about different account holders in a database to be available at any time. Keeping the records of the cash flow, giving the information regarding your account, used by financial institutions for transferring funds electronically, checking individual’s accounts and keeping records of financial activities. Also used for setting up security systems and in the saving and withdrawal of funds from accounts.

5.    Medicine: Computers are used in diagnosing illnesses, following up patient’s health conditions, researching on new drugs and handling health records of patients. The CAT–scan machine is used in computer tomography.

6.    Entertainment: Computers are used for producing games, music, videos and animations. You can also play games, music, videos and watch films, animations, movies and other recorded material.

7.    Industry: Advanced computers are used for controlling other machines like robots, controlling the quality of products and the safety of workers and machines. Robots are computer-controlled machines that are designed to do the job of human beings in industry.

8.    Commerce: Electronic mail is the revolutionary service offered by the computes. Video Conferencing is also another major advantage. Electronic shopping through online shopping added favor to purchaser and merchants. Electronic banking is now at your hand where every bank has online support for transaction of monetary issues. You can easily transfer your money anywhere even from your home.

9.    Military: Computers are the main tools which help in developing missiles and other equipment in the deference system. Designing and the maintenance are possible only through computers. Computer builds the links between the soldiers and commanders through the satellite. Construction of weapons and controlling their function is not possible without the aid of computers. The list of the criminals and the records of the cops are maintained regularly in the system.

10.    Communication: computers are used in exchanging information, sharing network resources, and storing information for future use. Here the communication with the use of computers is known as electronic communication. Web chat, email, video calls, mobile phone calls are examples of electronic communication.