ADESP-CO works with agricultural production in the Oku Sub-Division and the Bui Division of the North West Region in Cameroon. The organization helps to bring farmers together for the common goal of fighting poverty and the conservation of our natural environment and resources by collaborating on the processing, advertising, and marketing of our natural products.
Come to Oku to experience bee farming and honey production with ADESP-CO! Other agricultural activities in Oku include farming, cattle rearing, and goat rearing. We also deal with artifacts, woven products, wood carving, and traditional designs. Come to Oku and learn more! Be a partner to ASDEP-CO in Marketing and Tours. Volunteers and researchers are welcome year-round.
Our Honey: For vitality and health
Apiculture, or bee farming and honey harvesting is a traditional economic activity in Oku and began with the foundation of Oku in the North West Region of the Republic of Cameroon. In the Kilum Mountain (3,011 m), the second-highest mountain in West Africa, and in the Kilum Rain Forest, bees are adapted to the plants and animals and the vegetation and climate are favorable for honey production.
About 1,000 farmers are involved in bee farming in Oku today. Honey is being produced in great quantity and at top quality. Our apiaries are strategically placed in areas with varying bee-loving trees, plants, and flowers. Two species of natural honey is produced in Oku: white honey, produced at an altitude of 2,800-3,011 m above sea level, and brown honey, produced at the foot of Mount Kilum at an altitude of 2,800 and below.
Oku honey has proven its worth worldwide. It’s completely natural and organic. It is rich in vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, Vitamin C, Copper, and Zinc. It is used to treat certain ailments such as chronic coughs, sore throats, burns, stomach complications, gastric disorders, and malaria.
By-products of honey production include honey drinks, candles, Vaseline, and polish produced from beeswax.
Socio-Economic and Cultural Background
Economic activities in Oku revolve around gender-segregated subsistence agriculture. Men are engaged in Arabica coffee cultivation, bee-farming, rearing of pigs, goats, cattle, and poultry, while women cultivate mostly food crops such a maize, beans, Irish potatoes, sweet potatoes, yam, cocoyam, plantains, bananas, fruits, etc. Women are vital to the survival of society, as they are the primary breadwinners.
Oku people are generally welcoming, gentle, and hospitable. The respect given to traditional authorities and elders is enormous and sometimes overwhelming for visitors. Furthermore, most people practice a high degree of communal living. This means that people tend to come together in times of trouble and during the harvest. Families, which entail expansive networks of extended relatives, always come together to celebrate births and commemorate deaths.
In terms of cultural awareness and heritage, cultural weeks are organized frequently and are always animated by traditional music, dances, and displays.
In addition to the Christians spread throughout the 34 villages of the Fondom (a traditional governing system), traditional ancestral worship is still practiced, as evidenced by the many shrines located in the traditional forests, caves and waterfalls where gods of the land are believed to live.
Climate and Relief
There are two seasons in the North West Region of Cameroon: the dry and the rainy season. The dry season begins in October and extends through March, during which the average temperature is about 20°C (68°F) and the air is dry and very cool. The rainy season begins in April and ends in September. Average temperatures are around 20°C(68°F) in the day and 15°C (59°F) at night.
Oku is surrounded by several mountain ranges, some made up of rain forests and deep valleys. The valleys are generally covered by Raphia and Eucalyptus. Raphia is a basic raw material used in the fabrication of crafts and palm wine, which is a common beverage used in ceremonies and libations.
Arts and Crafts
Okucians are very talented in arts and crafts. Painting and drawing are the order of the day, commonly carried out by men. Graphics and images of people and animals are abundant. Wood carving is a normal activity to generate income with a well-developed and widely practiced tradition throughout Oku. Carving is strictly reserved for men, as women are often forbidden to enter into carving labs. Thrones, chairs, beds, statues, animals, masks, and skeletons are carved for display in the well-renowned carving museums and craft shops in the villages of Elak, Manchok, Keyon, and Ngashie while others are destined for export. To an extent, some works of bronze, brass, and blacksmithing can also be found.
Both males and females are actively engaged in weaving. Traditional woven dresses, baskets, bags and dishes are common in the Mbam village of Oku where raw materials such as grass and Raphia are available.
Throughout Oku, works of scripture, clay and embroidered products can also be found. There are juju masquerade dances for funeral celebrations as well. The Ngele Society of Princes which belong to the Palace are known for their colorful masquerade dances during festivals, rituals and funeral celebrations.
Notable Production Centers
Oku has a series of factories and workshops engaged in primary production, including:
- Oku Honey Cooperative
- Oku Area Cooperative Union Ltd.
- Oku Craft Paper Industry
- Cow Firm
- Wood Carving Shrines
There are many small factories and producers of honey in Oku. Notable centers of production include the WONSTER COMMON INNITIATIVE GROUP and the Oku Honey Cooperation. Also, Establishment Samy Samy and Ngang and Sons Enterprise collect honey from farmers for primary processing. The peak season for honey production in Oku is during the month of May.
Honey Production
Apiculture or bee farming is an old economic activity dating back to the origins of Oku. In the Kilum Mountain Forest, bees are adapted to plants. Conditions such as climate, vegetation, social traditions, and economics favor beekeeping in Oku. As such, honey is being produced in Oku in great quantity. There are many small factories alongside the WONTSER COMMON INITIATIVE GROUP and Oku Honey Cooperation, such as Establishment Samy Samy, Ngang, and Sons Enterprise, which collect honey from farmers for primary processing. The peak season for honey production in Oku is in the month of May. Two varieties of honey are produced in Oku: white honey, which is harvested at an altitude of 2,000 – 3,011 meters; and brown honey, harvested at an altitude below 2,000 meters. Honey is harvested from natural bee hives. About 1,000 farmers are involved in bee farming in Oku.
Oku honey has proven its worth worldwide. It has medicinal properties and is used in curing chronic cough, sore throats, burns, stomach complications, gastric disorders, malaria, and other ailments. The honey is very nutritive, rich in vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, Vitamin C, copper, zinc sweet, and the best alternative to sugar for diabetic patients. There is also honey wine, which is very rich in taste and color.
Coffee Production
Many farmer’s associations have formed around the coffee industry in Oku. The principal actor is the Oku Area Cooperative Union Ltd. (OACU), a union of seven cooperative produce marketing societies with over 3,000 farmer members. The union is registered with the Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development under the Department of Cooperatives and Common Initiative groups (Registration No. NW/UC/07/96/1335). Its main activity is the collection of member produce (washed Arabica Coffee) and processing it into beans suitable for the international market, commercialized through the apex organization, the North West Cooperative Association (NWCA). Annual production is 600 tons of washed Arabica.
The coffee season stretches from January to June. What is unique about Oku’s Arabica coffee is that it is grown at an altitude above 2,800 meters on the slopes of Kilum Mountain under kola nut trees. The coffee’s aroma is unique.
OACU and the NWCA are currently seeking partners in the areas of marketing and financing. Contact!
Tourist Sites in Oku
- Oku Fon’s Palace
- The Kilum Mountain – Mount Oku (3011m)
- The Kilum Rainforest.
- Lake Oku (Mawes
- Waterfalls at Tolon, Tankoh, Kedzen, Neghebliy, Emfve, Kenshing and Mbancham
- Caves at Mbvek Yeafon, Mbvek Ngailai, Mbvek Tafon, Tingkol Mbvek Mawes, Kinake Mbvek, Efiane Ekak and Emfee
- Shrines at Lumetu, Nkaa Kimbamboo, Nkaa Icham, Wochia shrine, Tingol and Tolon.
- Oku Palace Museum
- Oku Community Radio Station
- Oku Area Cooperative Union Ltd.
- Oku craft paper industry
- Museums and craft shops
- Beautiful valleys and hills
- Traditional buildings with grass roofing
- Families, food, people, and local markets
Mount Oku (Kilum) and the Rain Forest
Mt. Kilum is the second-highest peak in West Africa with an elevation of 3,011 meters. It is forested with the last remnants of the Afro mountain tree species. This is an interesting site for hiking and camping where you are exposed to endemic species of birds, fauna, flora, and the beautiful savanna, all within the pleasantly cool climate of Oku.
Endemic tree species such as Carapa grandifloria, Syzygium staudtii, Solanecio mannii, Dovyyalis sp nov, Dombeya idermannii, Indian bamboos, Voacanga africana and Schefflera mannii can be found in the Kilum Mountain Forest. Medicinal plants such as Prunus Africana, Lapodia, Plet trantus, Gigalia Africana, Lectratus, and Papai umbrelatum can also be found.
The vegetation at 2,800 meters consists mostly of “Mbakilum” (Achemilla fischeri) which is a silvery-leaved herb growing in large patches (carpets or clouds) from 5-20 cm2 endemic to Mt. Oku. Other parts are covered with Black Jack (Bidens pilosa) and the Peace Plant (Dracaena deisteliana).
Birds
Mount Oku in Cameroon is home to a diverse array of bird species, with around 200 different types that can be spotted in the area. Some of the unique endemic birds found only on Mt. Oku include Bannerman’s Turaco, a large colorful bird with a bright red beak. The Banded Wattle Eye, a small distinctive bird with a bright yellow eye-ring, is another endemic species on the mountain. Additional endemic birds are the Black-crowned Waxbill, a tiny finch-like bird with a black crown and throat, and the Cameroon Olive Pigeon, a beautiful grayish-green pigeon.
Lake Oku ( Mawes )
Lake Oku (“Mawes”) is a crater formed in a side vent of Mt. Kilum, a volcano. Overlooking the lake is a knoll named “Ndong mawes” (the horn of Mawes). The diameter of the lake is approximately 1,500 meters and approximately 10,000 m2. It is surrounded by a state nature reserve, the Kilum-Ijim Plant Life Sanctuary. It is a magnificent lake where many herbs which are highly regarded for their medicinal values can be collected.
Following Oku’s myth of creation, it is believed that a goddess called Ma who was denied food, water, and a haircut at Kejem Fondom, found these favors in Oku. To repay the hospitality of the Oku Palace and people and in punishment of the Kejem people, Ma drowned the Kejem, sparing only those who had given her food.
A dispute over ownership of the lake erupted between Ebkwo (Oku) and Kejem. In an attempt to break the stalemate between them, Ma accepted sacrifices from the Fon of Oku and slaughtered the Fon of Kejem after accepting his gifts. Today, the people of Oku offer yearly sacrifices to Ma, the renowned goddess of the lake, and any newly crowned Fon of Oku must be presented to her. She is the goddess of birth, fertility, and increased populations and food. Thus, the lake is called “Mawes” (our Ma)
Common rituals & tips for visitors
Oku is a cool and rainy place, so bring warm clothes, rain gear, hiking boots, camping gear, and medicine. Oku has many lodging options, such as:
- Hotels: Oku has classic hotels like The Kilum Visitors Lodge and The King David Tourist Home, with prices from 10.000 to 25.000 francs CFA per night. There are also cheaper inns like Travelers and Tourist Inn.
- Homestay: Oku is a hospitable kingdom where visitors can stay with local families and enjoy their culture and food. Homestays offer good conditions and negotiable rates.
- Camping: Oku has campsites around Lake Oku and Kilum Mountain, where visitors can enjoy nature and wildlife. Visitors need to bring or rent camping equipment.
- Gastronomy: Oku’s food is communal and open for everyone in or visiting a home. Visitors can also hire cooks or eat at roadside restaurants that offer traditional and Western dishes.
- Water and Electricity: Oku has abundant and clean water, as well as electricity in most areas.
- Banking: There are no full-fledged banks in Oku, but there is a series of Credit Unions. Money transfers, both national and international, can be carried out at the local Express Union.
- Shopping: Oku has 36 villages with small markets for food and provisions. Elak is the main town with a central market, big shops, snack houses, bars and drinking spots. Oku has 8 days of the week and two market days: “Ngoksen” and “Samnen”.
- Communication: Oku uses gongs, xylophones, drums, and gunshots to convey information and summon people. The “Kwifon” authority uses messengers (“Nchindaasee”) for trials in court. The Oku Community Radio is also used for announcements, education, alerts, and entertainment.
- Festivals: Oku used to have an annual “Ngong” dance with xylophone music at the Fon’s palace. Now, the Oku Cultural and Development Association (OCDA) organizes a cultural week with fundraising, traditional displays, “juju”s (masquerade dancers), and handicrafts.
- Tourism: Oku has many attractions for visitors, such as: Lake Oku: A crater lake with clear water and rich biodiversity. It is home to the endemic “Kilum” frog and the “Oku” honey bee. Visitors can swim, boat, fish, or hike around the lake.
- Kilum Mountain: The second highest peak in Cameroon with a height of 3011 meters. It has a diverse flora and fauna, including rare orchids and birds. Visitors can climb, camp, or birdwatch on the mountain.
- Fon’s Palace: The residence of the traditional ruler of Oku, who is also the spiritual leader of the people. The palace has a museum that displays the history and culture of Oku. Visitors can see the royal regalia, artifacts, and relics of the past.
- Oku Forest Reserve: A protected area that covers 20,000 hectares of montane forest. It is part of the Bamenda Highlands Forest, which is a hotspot for conservation. Visitors can explore the forest and see various animals and plants.
- The Fon of Oku Visits “Mawes” (Lake Oku) The Fon of Oku is the spiritual leader of the community and performs rites to appease the gods and ancestors. When a new Fon is crowned, he visits various sacred places, such as the market, the forest, and the lake. The visit to the lake is a special day with music, dancing, and sacrifices. The Fon introduces himself to the goddess of the lake.
- Making Peace with the Spider in Oku The earth spider is revered for its connection to the gods. If someone harms or kills an earth spider, they will get sick or die. To cure them, a ritual of appeasing the spider is done at an anthill. A specialist guides the ritual and offers gifts to the spider.
- Twins and Twin Rituals Twins are called “children of gods” and are given special care and rites. In the past, twins were killed at birth because they were seen as abnormal. But one Fon changed that and allowed them to live. Now, twins are celebrated and respected in Oku.
- Annual Grass Cutting (“Ewuy Kembaa”) Some houses in Oku are made of bamboo and grass. They are used for living, worshiping, or meeting. Every year, there is a grass cutting ritual where people gather grass to repair these houses. The ritual is led by the Fon and the “Kwifon” (traditional council). After the ritual, there is a feast and a blessing for the land and crops.
- Annual Visit to the Shrine of “Mkong-Mote” (The God of the Kingdom) Mkong-Mote is believed to be one of the greatest gods of the land. He is often prayed to and sworn to for protection. Mkong-Mote had reigned in Oku once as one of the Fons and is said to have had mystical powers during his reign. During this time, Oku experienced a boom in all walks of life and all parts of the land emerged victoriously in inter-tribal battles for expansion. It is equally said that when Mkong-Mote died, he transformed himself into a snake and moved to the secret traditional forest at the foot of Mt. Kilum. He was tracked by the chief priests of the land and it is said that his path was marked with cam wood. A shrine was set up in that part of the forest. It is a restricted forest today and no activity is allowed near the shrine. Every year, the Kwifon Society visits the shrine to offer a sacrifice. This is always done at about 3:00 AM by only members of the Society and notables of the Palace. The next day after the ritual is always a traditional public holiday throughout the land of Oku, so that no farming, construction, or any other activities that have to do with the soil are carried out. Peace and prosperity are bound to reign after this ritual.
- General Ceremonies of “Echisee remain” (appeasing the gods) Rituals to appease the gods are generally performed in the respective shrines all over the land and are led by the various chief priests. Most of the gods are appeased at least once a year.
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