Hunganna

Hunganna / Bahuana

The Hunganna is an ethnic group in Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The tribe is variously called Baguana, Bahuangana, Bahuana, Bahugana, Bahungana, Bauangana, Huana, and Wengana. Murdock lists it as a subtribe of the Badinga.

Hunganna People

Alternate names:

  • Bahuana
  • Bahungana
  • Baguana
  • Bahunanna
  • Hauan
  • Hungaan
  • Hungann
  • Hungana
  • Hunganna
  • Wana
  • Wangana

 

Basic Economy

Primarily agricultural. The staple crops are manioc and maize, but bananas, earth peas, groundnuts, beans, peas, gourds, and some sweet potatoes also are grown. The domestic animals are goats, dogs, chickens, and some pigs and cats. Chickens are taboo to women. Fishing is done with baskets and traps. Hunting drives are organized by village chiefs. The bow and arrow, fire, and dogs are used in hunting. Trading is very important, and there are markets.

 

Sex Division of Labor

Men clear the land, but women do most of the agricultural work. Men alone hunt. Both sexes fish — men with traps, women with baskets.

 

Property

Currency includes shell money, brass rods, and salt. Only men can own slaves. Nominally land belongs to the village chief and cannot be sold.

Inheritance is matrilineal. The preferred heir is the eldest surviving brother, then a sister, then a sister's son. The mothers brother is the guardian of an orphan.

 

Family

It is uncertain whether the independent immediate family or the independent polygynous family predominates.

 

Settlement Pattern

The typical community is a village with rectangular thatched huts.

 

Community organization

Socially, each village is an avunculocal clan-community.

 

Local Government

There are village chiefs, each assisted by a village council consisting of all the freemen in the village. Succession to the office of village headman is matrilineal -- preferably eldest sister's eldest son, with his mother's brother as regent if he is too young.

 

State

The former paramount chief has lost much influence, and many village chiefs today are virtually independent.

 

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