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- Name origin : The term “Messa” comes from the Ewondo word for “plum tree” (plural of “assa”) and the area was originally named for its abundant plum trees .
- Mount Messa : A notable hill in Yaoundé (~1,010 m) that gives panoramic views of the city. Its name also reflects the area’s botanical history with plum trees .
- Ewondo-language community : The Messa are part of the larger Beti‑Fang/Ewondo-speaking peoples of central Cameroon. Their traditions connect to Ewondo cultural and linguistic heritage .
- Traditional leaders : In the colonial era, local Messa chiefs governed neighborhoods like Messa, with traditional courts and indigenous staff quarters; these areas featured public buildings like dispensaries and schools .
- 1955 massacre at Messa : During political unrest, colonial “Sarā” troops opened fire on protestors in the Messa indigenous quarters, marking a tragic incident in the region’s history.
- Urbanization impact : The original plum orchards and oil palms that gave Messa and neighboring Melan their names were destroyed during urban expansion, altering the landscape significantly .
- Spiritual and ritual life : As part of central Cameroonian traditions, the Messa participate in ancestral and earth-deity ceremonies, celebrating rites that once drew neighboring villages together
- Colonial encounters : During German and then British administration, Messa fell under indirect rule but also experienced military expeditions and shifting administrative boundaries
- Rich musical heritage : As Ewondo-speaking Beti, the Messa share in Cameroon’s famous musical tradition slit gongs, clapperless bells, Bikutsi and Makossa rhythms used in cultural festivals .
- Active modern hiking site : Today, Mount Messa is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering guided hikes, group fitness, and local cultural experiences .
