Beyond Doubt: Confirming the Tiv-Shitile People’s Presence in Cameroon
February 18, 2025
Introduction
The Shitile people are a subgroup of the Tiv ethnic group, primarily found in Nigeria. Like other subgroups of Tiv, the Shitile people have a significant number in Cameroon. They have a rich cultural heritage and history that spans centuries. However, their indigeneity in Cameroon has been a subject of debate. This article aims to provide conclusive evidence confirming the Tiv-Shitile people’s presence in Cameroon.
The question of whether the Shitile people are indigenous to Cameroon has sparked intense debate. Some argue that they are not native to Cameroon, while others claim that they have been living in the country for centuries. This debate has significant implications for the Tiv-Shitile people’s rights, identity, and cultural heritage.
Having delved into the history and culture of this Tiv subgroup, I can confidently affirm that the Shitile people have indeed been an integral part of Cameroon’s cultural tapestry for centuries.
In fact, historical records and field research confirm that the Tiv people have been living in Cameroon for centuries. Their presence is acknowledged by scholars and reflected in the country’s demographic landscape and politics.
Further evidence supporting the presence of the Tiv people in Cameroon can be found in the National Assembly. According to field surveys conducted by FORUDEF in 2011 and the District Health Service Akwaya in 2005, the Akwaya district area is home to numerous ethnic groups, including:
Anyang, Boki, Becheve, Banta, Oliti, Tiv, Balo, Iploh, Icheve, Evand, Temah, Ekwot, Avande, Ugar, Benage, and Beba.
This documentation confirms the long-standing presence of the Tiv people, including the Shiakpev kindred of Shitile subgroup, as well as Turan and Kwande people in Cameroon.
Currently, Honorable Martin AKA TYOGA, a Tiv man and Member of Parliament (MP) for the district of Akwaya in southwestern Cameroon, represents the interests of his constituents, including the Tiv people, in the Cameroon Parliament. He is also a member of the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) and Deputy of Manyu. According to confirmed reports, Hon. AKA TYOGA is of Shiakpev-Kpav of Shitile, Mamfe, Akwaya district in Cameroon’s South West Region.
The Akwaya district, reportedly the largest of the 4 districts of the Manyu department, comprises 99 villages and 80 chiefdoms, including those of the Tiv-Shitile people. The district is divided into 5 cantons, with a population of hundreds of thousands of inhabitants.
The evidence presented in this article unequivocally confirms the presence of the Shitile, a subgroup of Tiv people, in Cameroon. Through historical records, field research, and representation in the National Assembly, it is clear that the Shitile and other subgroups of Tiv people have been an integral part of Cameroon’s cultural tapestry for centuries.
We hope this article has shed light on the rich history and cultural heritage of the Shitile people, addressing doubts about their indigeneity in Cameroon.
Citizen John Akevi
New Gboko village, Takum, Taraba state.
Tel :07037017010, 08110175216
Email : john4akevi@gmail.com
