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Essays

Vol. 28 No. 2 (2025): Imperialismo britannico e attori locali. Reti commerciali, infrastrutture, riforme giuridiche in Asia e in Africa

Resilience of the Baka in Cameroon’s Changing Landscape of Neoliberal Development

  • Ngambouk Vitalis Pemunta
  • Ayonghe Akowi Nebasifu
Submitted
March 12, 2026
Published
2026-04-03

Abstract

This paper explores the resilience of the nomadic Baka hunter-gatherers in Southeast Cameroon amidst socio-environmental changes induced by neoliberal development projects. These projects, spanning from protected area creation to the expansion of logging, agro-industrial complexes, and large-scale mining endeavors, have destabilized the Baka from their traditional lands. Despite concerted policies by the Cameroonian government and various national and international bodies to integrate the Baka into modern society through development schemes, they persistently face marginalization and a plethora of adversities including alcoholism, diseases, malnutrition, limited educational access, and infringement of rights. Grounded in socio-ecological theory, this paper analyzes the Baka’s responses and adaptations to these transformations and their coping mechanisms alongside indigenous factors like individual attitudes and cultural transmission. By illuminating their ongoing struggles, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by the Baka, their resilience, but also positive insights on their agency to cope with rapid socio-environmental changes.