Basaa Translation Services

The Basaa of Southern Cameroon are Bantu people who settled in Ngog Lituba (Rock with a Hole) on the right bank of the Sanaga River around the 13 th century. From the 15 th century on, they organized into Mbog Liaa (Society of the Rock), and are today established in three major communities in the country. Ngog Lituba , the sacred cave, is their spiritual shrine and a pilgrimage destination. The Basaa language is codified as A.43 and related to the Benue-Congo group of the Niger-Congo subfamily, a member of the Niger-Kordofonian language family. It exhibits characteristic features such as tonality, an extensive verbal system, and a prolific noun classification. The regional flora is dense tropical rainforest, hot and very humid with heavy rainfall and numerous bodies of water conducive to fishing. The land is rich and fertile, lending itself well to the people's agricultural economy, which involves slash-and-burn farming for subsistence and trade. Their main crops include roots, tubers, and various green vegetables cultivated by women, while men tend palm tree plantations, which provide palm wine, palm kernels, and palm oil, an important commodity for local and international trade. Hunting is also an essential part of male culture reinforced by local social institutions.  Basaa menfolk are renowned hunters and fierce warriors. In the past, they were famous for their ability to hunt elephants and harvest ivory for ceremonies and trade. 

BASAA
Basaa society is organized around extended families that trace their descent from a common male ancestor. The oldest patriarch, Mbombog, supported in decision-making by an advisory council of village elders, heads each of these patrilineages. Traditionally, the ancestral land is delimited by rivers and considered a gift to unborn descendants. Marriage is exogamous and a groom is expected to give bridewealth to his wife's lineage. This is traditionally due on the birth of their first child. A man may have more than one wife if he can afford it.


Sample

Translation
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear withness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.