From herders to champions: Cameroon’s Mbororo athletes changing stereotypes through sports

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They were cattle herders. Now they are using their success at the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope to preach peace and change the way the world sees them.

By Hure Hamidou Abdu 

On Saturday February 21, Hamadou Bi Ibrahim, an athlete of Mboboro origin, was crowned winner of the 31st edition of the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope, one of Africa’s prestigious sports events.

About a month ago before the annual competition, separatist fighters unleashed a deadly attack in Gidado-Mbandfun in Ndu Subdivision, Donga Mantung Division, of the restive North West Region. 

According to a report on The Guardian Post, the country’s leading English Language newspaper, the attack targeted mostly the Mbororo community.

The daily also mentioned in its report that the attack was considered as a reprisal by Ambazonia fighters.

They accused the Mbororo community of collaborating with security forces by providing vital information during a recent military operation in the area.

Fourteen people were killed among them women and children.

After learning of the attack, Hamadou was discouraged from participating in the competition, however, the compassion for his people drove him to proceed with the race.

“For two weeks I didn’t go for training but thanks to the support of my coach who encouraged me,” he said.

“You know that wherever a Muslim is, we are one family. So, I am therefore related to them because we are all the Mbororos.”

For the 28-year-old athlete, his win at the race was inspired by the vulnerability of his tribe in the armed conflict, which has claimed many lives and left others homeless.

According to a recent report from Human Rights Watch, at least 6, 000 civilians have been killed by both government forces and separatist fighters since the violence started in late 2016. 

Hamadou completed the 42km race in four hours, 24 minutes, and 42 seconds, marking his first win in the third attempt since 2024.

“I headed for the race with memories of the Gidado attack,” Hamadou told Camer Today in an exclusive interview.

“I know it is so painful but my victory is going to bring hope to the Gidado families,” Hamadou added.

“End this crisis”

Before his debut at the Mount Cameroon race of Hope in 2024, Hamadou was a cattle rearer – a common economic activity of the Mbororo community.

The Mbororo people are central to cattle rearing and milk production in the country. The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) reports that Cameroon produces only about half of its domestic milk needs, with pastoralists like the Mbororo supplying most of the local output.

But, today Hamadou joins a growing list of Mbororo athletes who have made a mark at the race and have used the competition as a space to preach peace, breaking records and rewriting their story.

“(…) I am therefore pleading with the government to take action to end this crisis which has affected not only the Mbororos community but Cameroonians as a whole,” Hamadou pleaded.

Records indicate that since 2021, the Mbororos have been part of athletes from the North West Region who have dominated the race in the senior and junior men’s categories.

Ali Mohammadou made history in 2021

Musa Umarou, 18, carries the same dream with Hamadou- changing the Mbororo narrative through the race.

Hailing from Nkambe in the Donga Mantung Division, Umarou drew his inspiration from Ali Mohammadou, the first Mbororo indigenous person to win the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope in 2021.

This year, he came close to following in the footsteps of his role model although he couldn’t win the race.

“I was herding cows in the village before I came back to Buea where I engaged in shawarma business,” he revealed to Camer Today.

“I was actually the first to ascend the mountain but because of the pain [on his ribs] I had to come in third position,” he added.   

“Beyond producers of milk and beef”

According to National President of the Mbororo Social and Cultural Development Association (MBOSCUDA), Adamou Ahmadou, the success of these athletes have been crucial in redefining the narrative around the Mbororo people.

Adamou stated in an exclusive interview that these victories are said to have reinforced living together during challenging times, especially amid the ongoing crisis in the North West and Southwest Regions.

According to Adamou, recent successes such as those of Hamadou, Harouna Umaru and Musa Umaru sparked widespread celebrations in the entire North West Region.

“These accomplishments demonstrate that the Mbororos can contribute to society beyond just their roles as producers of milk and beef,” Adamou said.  

On his part, the North West Regional President of MBOSCUDA, Unusa Karimu, said the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope has become a continental event enhancing the visibility of the Mbororo community. 

Karimu said after dominating the race for some years now, they have secured the recognition they deserve. 

Karimu further emphasized that this success has demonstrated that the Mbororo people can achieve more than just cattle rearing.

He says “winning this race consecutively illustrates that we are capable in various aspects.”

“People will come to understand that we are here to stay. This award holds significant importance for us, and we cherish it dearly.

“There is no hidden secret behind this achievement. A Mbororo person is determined and does not give up easily. Once a task is chosen, we commit fully. Discipline is the key word, and it is the foundation of their success.”

There will be many other races to come. Athletes like Hamadou, are hoping to honorably represent the Mbororo community.

“The secret of winning this competition is to work hard. It all comes down to training and discipline,” Hamadou explained.   

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