Korup
Encyclopedia
Korup is an ethnic group of forest people located in Southwest Province
of Cameroon
and in the adjacent Cross-River State of Nigeria. There are currently four Korup villages in the Cameroonian side: Erat (a.k.a Ekon II), Ekon I, Ikondokondo (also spelled Ekundukundu) and Akpassang (a.k.a. Ikondokondo II). The largest village of all is Erat, with an approximate population of ~450, and it is located inside the Korup National Park
- which has received its name from the Korup people inhabiting its forests. Ikondokondo used to be located inside the park, but in 2000 it was relocated in the park's support zone, north of the town of Mundemba
. This is why Ikondokondo is nowadays also known as "the Resettlement". Akpassang and Ekon I are very close to, but outside, the park boundaries.
Nigerian Korup villages, such as Ekonanaku, are large but not solely inhabited by Korup people. Many of the younger people do not speak the Korup dialect, although they do identify themselves as of the Korup tribe.
The relationship of Korup villages with the other ethnic groups in the region (i.e. Oroko, Ejagham) is nowadays amiable, and there are often intercultural marriages, especially with the much larger Oroko ethnic group. In the past however, there were frequent clashes between villages of different ethnic groups over ownership of forests.
The Korup language is a distinct local dialect that is not related to the neighbouring tribes. Cameroonian Pidgin
is used as a local "lingua franca
" between people of different ethnic groups in the region, as is the case for most of Anglophone
Cameroon. (Note: Cameroonian Pidgin, though very similar to Nigerian Pidgin
, it is not exactly the same, although speakers of each are largely mutually understood).
Southwest Province
The Southwest Region or South-West Region of Cameroon is a province of Cameroon and constitutes part of the territory of Southern Cameroons. Its capital is Buea. , its population was 838,042...
of Cameroon
Cameroon
Cameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon , is a country in west Central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west; Chad to the northeast; the Central African Republic to the east; and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to the south. Cameroon's coastline lies on the...
and in the adjacent Cross-River State of Nigeria. There are currently four Korup villages in the Cameroonian side: Erat (a.k.a Ekon II), Ekon I, Ikondokondo (also spelled Ekundukundu) and Akpassang (a.k.a. Ikondokondo II). The largest village of all is Erat, with an approximate population of ~450, and it is located inside the Korup National Park
Korup National Park
Korup National Park is in the Southwest Province of Cameroon and extends over 1,260 km2 of mostly undisturbed primary forest. It is reputedly one of Africa’s oldest and richest rainforests in terms of floral and faunal diversity. It is the most accessible rainforest national park in Cameroon...
- which has received its name from the Korup people inhabiting its forests. Ikondokondo used to be located inside the park, but in 2000 it was relocated in the park's support zone, north of the town of Mundemba
Mundemba
Mundemba is a town in Southwest Province, of Cameroon and the capital of the Ndian Division. The headquarters of Korup National Park are located in Mundemba...
. This is why Ikondokondo is nowadays also known as "the Resettlement". Akpassang and Ekon I are very close to, but outside, the park boundaries.
Nigerian Korup villages, such as Ekonanaku, are large but not solely inhabited by Korup people. Many of the younger people do not speak the Korup dialect, although they do identify themselves as of the Korup tribe.
The relationship of Korup villages with the other ethnic groups in the region (i.e. Oroko, Ejagham) is nowadays amiable, and there are often intercultural marriages, especially with the much larger Oroko ethnic group. In the past however, there were frequent clashes between villages of different ethnic groups over ownership of forests.
The Korup language is a distinct local dialect that is not related to the neighbouring tribes. Cameroonian Pidgin
Pidgin
A pidgin , or pidgin language, is a simplified language that develops as a means of communication between two or more groups that do not have a language in common. It is most commonly employed in situations such as trade, or where both groups speak languages different from the language of the...
is used as a local "lingua franca
Lingua franca
A lingua franca is a language systematically used to make communication possible between people not sharing a mother tongue, in particular when it is a third language, distinct from both mother tongues.-Characteristics:"Lingua franca" is a functionally defined term, independent of the linguistic...
" between people of different ethnic groups in the region, as is the case for most of Anglophone
English-speaking world
The English-speaking world consists of those countries or regions that use the English language to one degree or another. For more information, please see:Lists:* List of countries by English-speaking population...
Cameroon. (Note: Cameroonian Pidgin, though very similar to Nigerian Pidgin
Nigerian Pidgin
Nigerian Pidgin is an English-based pidgin and a creole language spoken as a lingua franca across Nigeria. The language is commonly referred to as "Pidgin" or "Brokin". It is often not considered a creole language since most speakers are not native speakers, although many children do learn it early...
, it is not exactly the same, although speakers of each are largely mutually understood).