Food as a linking device among the Guidar of North Cameroon La nourriture comme lien entre Guidar du nord-Cameroun

This article elucidates and illuminates food as a powerful device that established and strengthened cultural and commercial relationships among the Guidar of North Cameroon and between the Guidar and their neighbouring ethnic groups. During cultural ceremonies such as traditional wedding, death celebration, funeral entertainment, naming ceremony and group circumcision, the Guidar collectively consumed diverse food items that established and cemented cultural relationships among them. Food also aided in establishing commercial relationships between the Guidar and Moundang, Massa, Tupuri, Bamileke from Cameroon and the Sara from the Republic of Chad. Cet article montre le pouvoir instrumental alimentaire qui établit et renforce les relations culturelles et commerciales parmi les peuples Guidar du nord-Cameroun et différentes entités ethniques voisines. Durant les cérémonies traditionnelles telles que les mariages, les funérailles, les circoncisions en groupes, les peuples Guidar collectivement consomment un large éventail de produits alimentaires qui établissent et renforcent les relations culturelles. La nourriture également favorise l’établissement de relations commerciales entre les peuples Guidar, Moundang, Massa, Toupouri, Bamileke et les peuples Sara de la République du Tchad.