History of the Sawa

Who Are the Sawa?

Bantu Origins

Like most Bantu peoples of sub-Saharan Africa, the ancestors of the Sawa trace their origins to ancient Pharaonic Black Egypt. Over time, they gradually migrated to populate the sub-Saharan region. The history of Sawa cultures is closely linked to the etymology of the word Bantu, which derives from Bato, meaning "men" in Duala. The term Bantu thus refers to these nomadic groups who migrated from North Africa, including Nubia, Egypt, Sudan, and Libya.
During their migration, they passed through Ethiopia and Sudan. Having adapted to life near water and always seeking fertile land for cultivation, they eventually settled in the former French Congo, where they remained for over a century.
The group later left the Congo and moved to Spanish Guinea and Gabon. As their population grew, they formed smaller groups based on shared maternal lineage, craftsmanship, or common objectives.
Upon reaching Cameroon, the Sawa divided into two major groups:

One group settled in Pitti, where Mbéd’a Mbongo, the ancestor of the Duala, Ewodi, Malimba, and Pongo-Songo peoples, established his lineage.
Another group settled in Limbe, where SÉ TUKURU MULONG’a Mbongo, the ancestor of the Bakundù/NGOH NI NSONGO group, led his people.

A significant chapter in Sawa history stems from the migration of the descendants of their eponymous ancestor, the great patriarch Mbongo MBÉ. Around 1578, they arrived from the Grand Congo to the Wouri estuary, where they encountered the original inhabitants, the Bassa and Bakoko peoples. These groups were so numerous that they were referred to as Bato ba mukoko, meaning "people as countless as grains of sand."
The Bakoko, known for their hospitality, welcomed the newcomers. Their leader even gave his daughter in marriage to the head of the Mbedi clan as a gesture of peace. From this union, several prominent Sawa lineages were born, including JONGO, EWALE, PONGO, BAKWEDI, and EWODI. According to oral tradition, Ewalé’a Mbedi was born to a Bakoko woman, Oho’a Songe, from the village of Yansoki, and his father, Mbed’a Mbongo, hailed from the Congo.
Among the Bantu, the concept of mulalo (a descendant through the maternal line) holds profound significance. A well-known Duala saying emphasizes this: “Mulalo a si ma wo o bila!”—meaning, "A maternal descendant must never be left to perish in war!"
Some members of the MULONG'a Mbongo clan, initially settled around Limbe, were drawn to the mountainous landscape and later established communities near the Manengouba, Nlonako, and Koupé mountains.

AfricaTravelAssociation — Bimbia Slave Post

The Sawa Cultural Area

The Sawa cultural area roughly corresponds to Cameroon's Littoral (Francophone) and South-West (Anglophone) regions, two territories that have played a central role in the country’s history. Mount Cameroon, the highest peak in West Africa, towers over the South-West region. The ports of Douala and Limbe, key hubs of international trade, are located in these regions. Additionally, the name Cameroon originates from the Wouri River, which flows through the Littoral region.
The coastline, stretching from Rio del Rey to Campo, played a significant role in the transatlantic slave trade between the 16th and 18th centuries. The former slave trading port of Bimbia, near the coastal town of Limbe, holds historical importance comparable to the colonial forts of Ghana and Senegal.
The region's prolonged interaction with the West has left a visible imprint on its architectural landscape. Numerous impressive colonial monuments stand as a testament to this history. While permanent architecture in the region is largely influenced by Western styles, traditional Sawa architecture is characterized by mud-brick constructions with thatched roofs.

The Ngondo, the largest traditional assembly established since the 19th century, was initiated following the call of Chief Ngando a Kwa of the Bonambela clan. He urged the sacred union of all clan leaders to confront a common threat: Malobè, a giant of extraordinary strength who had taken it upon himself to impose a personal tithe on every canoe docking at the markets of the Pongo region.

Today, bringing together a large portion of the Sawa people, the Ngondo is considered one of the most iconic events of this community. Held on the first Sunday of December along the banks of the Wouri River in Douala, this festival honors Sawa ancestors and their spiritual connection to water. The Ngondo features canoe races, traditional dances, Sawa wrestling competitions, ritual offerings, and ancestral spirit consultations.

On December 4, 2024, in Asunción, Paraguay, Latin America, the UNESCO General Assembly officially inscribed the Ngondo—the Traditional Assembly of the Sawa People, the worship of water oracles, and Sawa cultural traditions—as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Brief Overview of Sawa Land

The Sawa are the coastal peoples of Cameroon, a nation in Central Africa. The term Sawa literally means "people of the sea" or "coastal people," emphasizing their deep connection to the Atlantic Ocean. The Sawa encompass multiple subgroups from Cameroon's Littoral, South, and South-West regions.

The Sawa community has established a significant presence in North America, particularly in Canada and the United States, over the past decades. The population is estimated to be around 20,000, with over 3,000 residing in Greater Montreal, approximately 2,000 in Canada’s National Capital Region (Ottawa-Gatineau), and over 15,000 across other parts of Canada and the U.S.

This diaspora includes professionals such as engineers, lawyers, doctors, pharmacists, nurses, healthcare workers, government employees at various levels, entrepreneurs, and students. Collectively, they play a vital role in the economic, social, and cultural development of their adopted countries.