INDIGENOUS PEOPLES
IN CAMEROON
Cameroon is characterised by the extraordinary diversity of its population, with more than 250 ethnic groups.
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There are two main groups of indigenous peoples in Cameroon that are widely recognised by civil society:
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the indigenous forest peoples (Baka, Bagyeli, Bakola and Bedzang), also referred to pejoratively as "pygmies", who are hunter-gatherers, living mainly in the forested areas of the South, Centre and East of the country;
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the pastoral indigenous peoples (Mbororo), who live mainly in the savannah areas of the Eastern, North-Western and Adamoua regions.
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The Gbabandi Platform specifically represents the forest peoples.
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There are estimated to be between 50,000 and 100,000 indigenous forest peoples, equivalent to around 0.4% of Cameroon's population (although this number could be higher), while the pastoralist population is estimated to be around one million.
Cameroon's indigenous forest peoples are divided into three distinct groups:
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The Baka, with an estimated population of 40,000 people. In the southern region, the Baka live particularly in the department of Dja-et-Lobo. In the Eastern region, they live in the departments of Boumba-et-Ngoko, Haut-Nyong and Kadey.
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The Bagyeli/Bakola are distributed in the Ocean department. They are counted at about 4,000 people.
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The Bedzan, about 300 people, are located in the transition zone between savannah and forest, in the centre of Cameroon (Mbam-et-Kim department).
For further information, see : La situation des peuples autochtones de la forêt du Cameroun - Fiche d’information