Tikar

The Tikar are an ethnic group in West Africa, primarily found in Cameroon with smaller populations in neighboring Nigeria. They are traditionally associated with the central and western parts of Cameroon, where many communities have lived for centuries in villages and towns. The Tikar people speak the Tikar language, a Niger-Congo language with several dialects; many also use regional linguae francae such as French or English depending on national context. Language vitality varies across communities, with bilingualism common in areas where external languages are widely used.

Historically, Tikar society has been organized around lineages and local chieftaincies. The economy has been predominantly agrarian, supplemented by craft production and trade. Social life centers on villages and kin groups, with elders and chiefs playing roles in governance, ritual life, and dispute resolution. Traditional arts include weaving, metalwork, and various forms of expressive culture, including oral storytelling and proverbs.

Religious life among the Tikar today is diverse. Many follows Christianity or Islam, often alongside retained traditional beliefs and practices. Like many minority groups, Tikar communities have experienced social and cultural changes due to colonial and post-colonial state structures, education systems, urban migration, and interethnic contact.

In contemporary times, the Tikar maintain a sense of cultural identity through language, ceremonies, and communal activities. They are one of several Cameroonian groups contributing to the country’s regional and ethnic mosaic, with ongoing efforts to document and preserve their linguistic and cultural heritage.