Socio-Cultural Heritage, Identity and Political Affirmation through Toponyms in the Far-North Region of Cameroon

Abstract

If there is one theme in the context of the conservation of onomastic heritage which to rely on, it is undoubtedly toponyms. Indeed, toponymy comes from the Latin word topos which means place and from the Greek onoma which means name. It is the science which studies the names of places. As a science, toponymy is subdivided into several sub-branches and is an important source of knowledge of the past and the preservation of the memory of people. They constitute not only a very precious base of information which must be preserved, but also a spatial mark of the culture of the people occupying or having occupied a given space. In France, the French-speaking division of the United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names was created with the adoption of resolution I/7, by the Seventh United Nations Conference on the Standardization of Geographical Names. This should be applied in North of Cameroon, because actions must be facilitated with UNESCO in the sustainability of the intangible cultural heritage, including toponyms. They are oral tradition in the Far-North and must be recorded in their entirety, preserved and capitalized. In addition, toponyms have an obvious identity stake, because the name conveys the appropriation of identity. But, geographical names are also among the most fragile cultural phenomena, because of their intangible and still very often oral character. In this sense, toponyms must occupy a prominent place in the development process. They are loaded with historical, religious and cosmogonic values. To what extent should toponyms in Far-North Cameroon cultural heritage be preserved? Are they vestiges of an identity or political assertion with regard to current changes?