There are three mean types of religious practices in the communities: Christian, Islam and traditional religion. Christianity and Islam were introduced to the people after their settlement in the area. The importance of each religion in the area seems to be related to how early it was introduced to the people.
Christianity is the most widely practised religion of the area. It is believed to have been introduced by the English during the colonial era.

The main Christian denominations that exist in the area now include the Baptist, Catholic, Presbyterian, Full Gospel and Apostolic Churches. The Church, which was the first Christian denomination to be introduced here, is the most popular and has at least a congregation in each of the 17 villages of the council area. The Catholic and the Presbyterian churches, which came into the area a little later, have conquered much ground within the last two decades. Charismatic Christian groups are still very new in the community, and have very few adherents.


It is told in the area that Islam was introduced by traders from the North of Cameroon. It is common in Ntumbaw and parts of Ndu and Sop villages. The largest mosques (an indication of the largest Muslim communities) are found at Ntumbaw and Ndu


The most common form of tradition religion in the area is ancestral worship. In most palaces, there are shrines where traditional rights are performed in honour of the ancestors of the villages. Such shrines even exist in some individual compounds, where family members are expected to conduct sacrificial rites supposedly in order to appease and receive the blessings of their ancestors. In some of these shrines are found stone gods called ‘mbuh’ which are believed to protect family members in reward of the sacrificial rites perform. It is worth noting that many people of the area practise this traditional religion and Christianity or Islam simultaneously


Population mobility


The rate of emigration in Ndu municipality is considered to be quite high, especially from the hinterlands. Hindered by the lack of roads and a difficult terrain, many of its people move especially to the South West Region in search of job opportunities. Many non-indigenous sons and daughters live in the Ndu town and constitute quite many of the business population


Types of Traditional institutions


There are two major traditional institutions in the three clans:

The village elders

This is the highest of all institutions found in the villages. The village elders are of two categories which the Wifahs and the Btarlas. The Wifahs are made up of village sub-chiefs. They judge cases which has evidences. The Btarlas are made up of the sacred societies and chiefs. They judge cases that lack evidences. Other duties include:

  • The holding of consultative meetings to examine events and issues affecting the village
  • Assisting the administration
  • Settling major problems involving land cases, marriages, communal labour defaulters etc.
  • Protecting the village against any intruders
  • Educating the population on various projects

Quarter and Extended family heads

  • This group is answerable to the village Councils where there is need. This is an extended family grouping led by a family head. Their functions include:
  • Settling minor disputes in the quarters or among members of their family,
  • Helping the village Council to collect funds for projects,
  • Creating income generating projects to benefit members of the family,
  • Assuring cohesiveness in the family and
  • Educating the family on family values and discipline.