Not just any ‘Street’ child: Universals and particulars of childhood in North-Cameroonian society

Abstract

In this article the author looks at childhood in North Cameroon. Using examples from two different ethnic groups in the area, the nomad Islamic Fulbe (Fulani) and the agricultural sedentarized Mafa, she argues that it is important to include children in anthropological analyses. Children's vision on their culture is of scientific and methodological interest. Considering children as “partners in discussion” may give insights into universals of childhood as well as into particularities of cultures.

In the second part of the article she discusses the cultural reasons behind the existence of “street children” from both ethnic groups. though both groups treasure and culturally value children enormously. In Mafa society children who have no ritual functions or have less access to land are more likely to end up in the streets. In Fulbe society boys who are begging for money are often the pupils of Islamic teachers, as religious education gives high status in this society.