DOI: 10.36347/sjahss.2015.v03i04.002

Pages: 825-832

The early 20th century witnessed an influx of Fulani cattle herders into the Bamenda Grassfields of Cameroon where they met already established ethnic groups which had each developed a socio-economic and political stratum. These groups were predominantly crop cultivators with a minor level of livestock farming. Struggles by the Fulani (new comers) to settle and integrate among these groups encountered resistances resulting from diversity in cultures and economic determinants that translated into Agro-pastoral conflicts. To ensure cohesion, British administrative authorities took certain half-baked measures which unfortunately did not yield dividends. This paper expounds on the different strategies put in place by the British Authorities to prevent conflict between the Fulani (pastoralists) and the indigenous people (agriculturalist). Through an integrated approach, the paper brings on board the pitfalls suffered by the different strategies employed by British authorities. It argues that the efforts made by these authorities were more often than not challenged by each of the groups because they were considered as a ploy to reap benefits from both sides. Consequently, the tension between the Fulani and indigenous people continued unabated.