Rhumsiki Reforestation

Project Rhumsiki Vert’s (aka Green Rhumsiki’s) purpose is to create a forest covering 35 hectares for the community of Rhumsiki in northern Cameroon. Rhumsiki was a world-famous tourist destination, made famous for its remarkable geography and particularly for the astounding spire of rock, Mt. Zivi. The common legend is that Rhumsiki’s name came from a Nigerian wanderer, whose name was Siki, and that “Rhum” means the place with the best groundnuts. (See Zra Laurent Vahoula’s anthropological discussion for a more authoritative and detailed description below.) 

The area is characterized by a mountainous environment that is desert-like in the dry season. In the period of 2013-2024, Rhumsiki suffered as a tourist destination because of the activities of the Boko Haram, a rebel group from Nigeria. Rhumsiki is in Cameroon but on the border of Nigeria.

The Green Rhumsiki project was founded in 2023 as a collaboration of Zra Laurent Vahoula, Tize Tizi Jacob, Vandi Deli, Augustin (Sini Kodji Hassa), Tize Ndzante Ndjoya, Majesty Deli Gadza and Jeff Shea, founder of World Reserves.

The project location is on a sacred site called Gheu Goulde, a gentle sloping hill that has served as an initiation site for many generations. (See Zra Laurent Vahoula’s anthropological discussion about the community below.)

The local community leader, Sa Majesty Deli Gadza, and his predecessors have intentionally not planted crops nor put houses here. Now, a group of approximately seven core individuals have begun planting. Initially, the project’s aim was to plant five hectares a year for 7 years. But as of the time of this writing, October 2024, we are hoping to accelerate it to completion in 5 years.

Benefits to the community. 

The forest will provide the following benefits: 

1. Shade for the community
2. Fruit trees for eating
3. Firewood
4. Medicine from trees
5. When leaves fall, it attracts termites. The elderly women will collect the termites and use them to feed the chickens, thus providing food in the form of eggs and chicken meat.
6. Increased animal population.
7. Employment. The initial planting (digging holes, watering, tending to the natural thorny fences) is providing employment to the community. Also, the use of natural thorns to make fences to guard small trees against being eaten by animals creates a commodity that is sold and purchased by the project; this brings income to the locals. Ongoing, the maintenance of the forest (overseeing to make sure not too much firewood is cut, culling out dead wood, clearing and replacing dead trees) will bring employment to the community. 
8. Increased water retention.
9. Cooling the area in the hot dry season.
10. Community togetherness.

Anthropology of Project Rhumsiki Vert

A description of the project site and the history of Rhumsiki. Text by Zra Laurent Vahoula

Gheu Goulde

The site of our Project Rhumsiki Vert is on a hill called Gheu Goulde. 

At the time before the arrival of the first Kwadreu inhabitant at the foot of RHUM ONNEU, GHEU GOULDE was total bush, it attracted elephants and buffaloes for the swamp and salty mud. The people of Roufta were the first people to come hunting on the site. They hunted buffaloes everywhere for their skin to make war shields. Almost all the animals in the region were found: buffaloes, elephants, wild boars, antelopes, cob de fassa, cob de buffon, monkeys and hares.  Still,  oxen, sheep, goats, donkeys and horses graze on grass there. The women collect termites, which feed on animal excrement and dead tree leaves. 

The origin of the name Rhumsiki 

Explanation of Rhumsiki: RHUM means mountain or hill. SKEU means a foreigner who left his original village to came to live there. So normally the name is RHUMSKEU or RHUMSTCHEU. Our grandparents call them RHUMSKEU or RHUMSTCHEU and not Rhumsiki. But everywhere in the books it is Rhumsiki. 

The history of Rhumsiki.

Rhumsiki is a new village compared to the other villages in the region. It is only about 5 centuries only. The names TIZE, KOUVOU ZRA, MASSA, etc. have been used since the appearance on earth of our ancestors. They are not new. 

Dynasty of the Chiefdom of RHUMSKEU: 

1st inhabitant was Kwadreu, who came from SINA GALE and not SiKi,  as I see in the books. 1st Chief of RHUMSKEU was called Glang Kwadreu, 
2nd Zra Kwaghia
3rd Meuneu Zra Kwaghia
4th Kodji Gourou
5th Damba Kamteu
6th Kwabeuheu, Tschalte Kamteu 
7th Kodjive Zeubeuteu 
8th Tchimbaza Warandji (He was the grandfather of our friend his Majesty Deli Gadza), 
9th Newa Kodjive Zeubeuteu
10th Deli Gadza Tchimbaza. 

Marriage and the naming of children

Young girls get married from 15 to 18 years old. 
And boys get married from 17 to 20 years old.
The names that should be given to the children of newlyweds at birth: 
(The first 9 children are considered the “children of youth.”)
1st boy Tige or Tizi, girl Kouvou
2nd boy Zra, girl Massa or Massi 
3rd boy Deli, girl Kormba
4th boy Vandi, girl Kwagne 
5th boy Kodji, girl Kodji both have the same name
6th boy Tereu, girl Kwatereu
7th boy Seneu girl Kwasseneu 
8th boy Kwada, girl Kwada both have the same name, 
9th boy Yegneu, girl Koyegneu. 

(The children numbering 10 and more are, according to tradition, considered children born when one is mature.)

10th boy Tige Mha, girl Kouvou Mha, 
11th boy Zra Mha, girl Massa Mha, 
12th boy Deli Mha, girl Kormba Mha. 
You only have to add the name MHa until the 18th child Yegneu Mha. 

Among the Kapsiki or Margui, young couples in perfect health wish to have 18 children. 
Because that is wealth on earth according to the Margui. 

The Goula, or marriage, Festival

Girls do not do any initiation only go into marriage. But all young men from 17 to 20 years old are obliged to go through the traditional initiation, it is always fixed in the month of May, in odd years. The name of this marriage ceremony is the GOULA festival. 

To commence the ceremonies, to begin with the young people go to the blacksmiths’ wives from 5 p.m. in the evening to have their hair shaved, a sign of purification. The young Goula must go together at night to the sacred stone at the foot of GHEU KONDIGWEU, opposite Pic Zivi. Everyone must confess all their sins of youth on this stone, which has already received more than 98% of young people since the creation of “Rhumskeu.” The young people make confession around 5:30 in the morning. It is necessary to say all the bad things they have committed during the fast on this ancient Stone, where they will be forgiven by God, so that they will be honest and loyal in society.

The young people are escorted by armed adults. Because there was a time when the young Goula were attacked by a neighboring village. They return to the village, dancing with tree leaves (Gazgadza) around the head and dressed with goat and sheep skins. Arriving in the middle of the village, they have to play the game of Tschagheu, far from the Vandi Deli house in Tschakalta. Around 8 o’clock in the morning, the young Goula go to wash at the foot of GHEU GOULDE in a small spring of water that never dries up. Here it is the baptism of purification with this natural spring water where the new generation still continues to practice like our elders. So GHEU GOULDE is sacred for our population. 

The story of Laurent Valhoula

I knew His Majesty Deli Gadza since 1969 in GHEU GOULDE with his older sister Massa, who looked after their family’s sheep and I looked after my family’s oxen and more for the neighbours. It was at that time that Massa, His Majesty’s sister had become my first fiancée. I went to work several times in the field of Massa’s mother who is called Kwada Rakwassueu according to Margui tradition. 

Massa was the most beautiful girl in the village. A certain Jean Vadako, full of jealousy, hit me like an animal every day when he saw me with Massa. She told him, one day he (Laurent) will also grow up – you just mistreat him because he is still small. We were always good with Massa and happy to look after the animals at the foot of GHEU GOULDE. 

But in 1973, a certain Kodji Hassan, a big brother from afar, came to take Massa away from here. He told me with his own mouth that I was too young to take her as a wife. That was when our relationship ended. 

I was a good shepherd, but not resistant like the other colleagues, from 1968 to 1972 we went to herd the animals barefoot. When we crossed the sandy ground, it heated our feet to the bone. My mother decided one day to go and buy me a pair of shoes made of black rubber in Nigeria.  For me it is an unforgettable memory, in the bush with colleagues. They asked me for the shoes so that they could bring back the animals that had moved away from us. I was happy and joyful. At that time, we just wore a cloth to hide the sexes and each carried his bag made of goat or sheep skin. But no clothes. I did not think that life would change so quickly in 50 years. 

History of the Serpent ZRA GHEU GOULDE

He was a great guardian Serpent, frightening and miraculous for the ancestors. He guarded and defended the oxen against the cattle thieves from the neighboring villages who came to take them when these animals are grazing peacefully in GHEU GOULDE. When the thieves approached, Zra Gheu Goulde, the Guardian Serpent raised his head by opening his jaws, and out came a long tongue with hooks to intimidate the thieves to make them leave his territory. He kept the animals gathered in the same place to prevent an isolated ox from being stolen. So GHEU GOULDE (with its Guardian Serpent ZRA GHEU GOULDE) was and still remains for us an important site for grazing animals, and especially for the initiation of the GOULA ceremony. 

The Elephant Footprints

All men and women over 45 years old have already drunk water that comes out in the elephant footprints in Rhumsiki. These watering holes were located where the swamps are, and they were everywhere in the Rhumsiki area. This water was always fresh, clean, colorless and clear. 

The members of our Project Rhumsiki Vert team (Green Rhumsiki Project)

1st Tize Tize Jaco
2nd Vandi Deli
3rd Vandi Enne 
4th Vandi Pierre 
5th Tize Ndzante Ndjoya
6th SINI Kodji Hassa 
7th Zra Laurent Vahoula
8^th Vandi Jeff Shea

An additional comment by Laurent: Kapsiki and its people are known today, thanks to the natural mountains that God had given us as a gift. Many foreign tourists come to visit the region, despite the Boko Haram problem since 2013 until today. 

The greatest importance of our Project is for the community of the village of Rhumsiki, all the animals oxen, sheep, goats, donkeys and horses graze the grass at the foot of GHEU GOULDE, the women collect termites for their chicks, the soil will be well maintained by the trees and provide shade for people and animals. This project will provide:

1. firewood, 
2. fruit trees, 
3. leaves and barks for traditional medicine 
4. and other villages will follow the examples of Project Rhumsiki Vert, otherwise known as Mount GHEU GOULDE VERT, with its beautiful panoramic view. 

Text above by Zra Laurent Vahoula, edited by Jeff Shea, Copyright World Reserves, 2024

Activities.

The initial planting was in February 2023. The team wanted to demonstrate their commitment and work ethic. With a donation of only $1000, they dug 516 holes and planted 516 Neem trees. In the February dry season, the ground is hard like concrete, but the workers persevered with minimal tools and planted ¾ of a hectare of Neem trees.

Operations 

Laurent is the project leader operating from Douala. while Jakob is the local project planting director. Jacob and Djoya are the local experts in planting. The project is currently underway, planting the following species: 

Neem – The Neem tree’s seeds can be pressed to produce oil, which is then used to make a medicinal tea for stomach ailments and the oil can be also used as an insecticide. 
Acacia – Provides shade. (Interestingly, a pod grows from the local acacia inside of which is a lufa sponge.)
Cacia – Shade
Mango – Fruit
Olive 
Orange, and other species.

Method to plant a Neem tree or an Acacia.

The method is to use a simple pick, shovel and a metal bar. 

1. A whole is dug 30 cm x 30 cm x 30 cm.
2. The whole back filled with 10 cm of the earth sandy soil
3. The whole is then backfilled with 10 cm of “black earth.” (The black earth appears just slightly darker than the removed soil.)
4. Then water is poured three times into the hole until it is absorbed into the earth. 
5. A seedling has been prepared. It sits in a black plastic bag, where it has been germinating. The bag is approximately 4” high and 2” in diameter. The bottom of the plastic bag is cut away to allow the roots to grow while the upper part of the bag remains in order to hold the root structure together. It is placed inside the hole, then the backfilled soil is poured around it to a height about 4” below the lip of the 30 cm hole.
6. When the rains some, they will naturally fill the gap between the lip of the hole and the level of the plant, 5” below.  Until the rains come, the seedlings need to be watered three times a week.

The trees grow rapidly here. For example, an acacia can grow to a height of about 5 meters in just five years. A full-grown mango tree can yield approximately 1000 mangoes a season. We planted 50 mango trees. 50,000 mangoes can be produced in a year.

As of August 2024, approximately 5000 trees have been planted and have grown to a height of approximately 30 cm. Initially, the watering has been done 3 x a week by local youth. Project Rhumsiki Vert/World Reserves rented tricycle with a trailer. Forty five 20-liter jugs were transported in the late afternoon by this vehicle, and volunteers did the watering. 

The planted seedlings must be protected against goats and the like for two and a half years. Otherwise, the animals will devour the leaves and the seedlings will not survive. The trees must be cared for intensively for 30 months, after which they have taken hold in the ground and are tall enough to resist sheep and goats

The entire area is cordoned off by using thorny brambles. These are purchased from the local community. The thorny brambles are tied together so that one end is small and the other end fans out. A hole is dug for the small end and it is stuck into the hole. The large fanned-out tops are intertwined together. This prevents animals (and people) from entering. This creates an economical, effective protection against the animals.

There is a potential greater benefit than the benefits described above.

One of the objectives of World Reserves is to demonstrate how low the cost of such a project can be. This has the potential to encourage other such projects worldwide. One of the problems of NGO activities is that a lot of the donation money is squandered. (As an example, on one project in Haiti, a US nonprofit organization donated $40 million to plant trees and subcontracted to a private company to do the work. Due to many factors (including locals cutting down the trees for firewood, burning them to create room for crops, poor irrigation planning and maintenance, neglect, lack of a  long-range maintenance plan and poor buy-in at the community level) resulted in a 5 year near-zero return on the investment. This example teaches us to have better planning, which can include

1. having the buy-in the local authorities that have tangible clout in the community [e.g., the village chiefs], 
2. bringing youth into the project at the outset to build educational awareness of the project’s importance, benefits and vision, 
3. long-range irrigation planning, 
4. planning for tangible economic benefits so that the local population itself jealously guards the project, and
5. the necessity to not just make it a “gift,” but create an environment whereby the people are donating their time and can take pride in the forest they create.

It is not just the forest itself and the tangible benefits to the local community that matter. It is also important that the model reverses negative trends in the world, so that our models for “working the planet” are positive, not negative. Here is an example of the phenomena of which I speak:

A lesson from Haiti – The potential to reverse destruction into positive growth, beauty and jobs.

In Haiti, the locals cut down stunningly beautiful old-growth mango trees in order to make charcoal that they can sell. One “batch” of charcoal requires the producer (often a lone landowner) to create a mound (approximately 5 m x 4 m x 1.5 m high) of earth in which the logs from the mango are buried in a sort of crude oven of earth and leaves. 

The yield from one batch is five 100 kg bags of charcoal, which sell for $25 each; the farmer yields $125 after a week’s worth of work. From one large tree, the farmer can make about five batches, making his total revenue about $625 for a month’s worth of work. 

The community/farmer  permanently loses a mango tree capable of producing 1000 mangoes twice a year every year in a landscape that is already suffering from erosion and lack of forest cover. (The stark contrast can be seen in satellite photos where the demarcation between the Dominican Republic and Haiti can be seen as green versus brown.) Rather than this negative model, people with the will to organize can provide incentive, tools and seed/seedlings for that same farmer to plant trees, not destroy them. As long as there is proper management, the economics are clear:

1. The farmer/community gets to keep a tree with a production value of 2000 mangoes a year,
2. Instead of cutting trees, the farmer plants trees. In one year, one farmer by himself can plant 5000 trees,
3. the community keeps its legacy of beautiful old grown mango trees.

One can imagine the dramatic difference between what that same farmer can do year-in-year out by planting, not cutting, tree, especially considering the Benefits to the Community (shown at the beginning of this paper) .

As of September 2024, the team has planted approximately 2514 trees.  

A statement by World Reserves about the Green Rhumsiki Project

World Reserves’ Reforestation Efforts in Rhumsiki, Cameroon: A Step Toward a Greener Future

Introduction:

In the heart of Cameroon, nestled against the backdrop of jagged volcanic peaks and breathtaking landscapes, lies the village of Rhumsiki. Known for its unique rock formations and cultural significance, Rhumsiki is also a region deeply impacted by deforestation. For decades, the loss of forests has taken a toll on the land, the people, and the local ecosystem. In response to these environmental challenges, World Reserves, an organization committed to “creating a healthy planet that facilitates a healthy life and securing it for future generations,” has launched a reforestation project in the Rhumsiki region. With a goal of planting 28,000 trees, this initiative is designed to restore the area’s degraded landscapes, boost biodiversity, and foster sustainable livelihoods for the local population.

Because of the tight knit culture and the remarkable team, led by Zra Laurent Vahoula and Tizi Tizi Jacob, Project Rhumsiki Vert has implications for other areas in the world, because it demonstrates how a little money, a group of people with knowledge of the local situation, and good strong hearts can create change full of goodness and simplicity – a lesson for all. 

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The Deforestation Problem in Cameroon

Like many countries in Central Africa, Cameroon has experienced extensive deforestation over the past few decades. The country is home to a portion of the Congo Basin, one of the world’s largest tropical rainforests, but ongoing logging, agricultural expansion, and land-use changes have put tremendous pressure on these forests. In regions like Rhumsiki, which are already arid and fragile, deforestation exacerbates issues like soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, and increased vulnerability to climate change.

Cameroon’s deforestation crisis is driven by a mix of economic and social factors. As in Haiti, many rural communities depend on wood for fuel and agricultural practices that involve clearing land for crops. In Rhumsiki, overgrazing by livestock have further contributed to the loss of tree cover. This ongoing destruction has disrupted the balance of local ecosystems, increased water scarcity, and negatively impacted the livelihoods of local farmers.

World Reserves recognizes that addressing deforestation in regions like Rhumsiki is not only a matter of environmental restoration but also a critical issue for the well-being of the people who call these lands home. Reforestation is a powerful tool for reversing some of the damage done and creating pathways toward a more sustainable future.

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Why World Reserves Chose Rhumsiki for Reforestation

Rhumsiki is a village that sits in the Far North Region of Cameroon, a semi-arid area that has long been vulnerable to environmental degradation. The area’s stunning landscape of volcanic rock formations makes it a tourist attraction, but beneath its beauty lies a fragile ecosystem struggling with the impacts of deforestation. By choosing Rhumsiki as the site for reforestation, World Reserves aims to tackle several key issues that align with the organization’s core mission.

1. Addressing Desertification:

One of the most pressing environmental issues in Rhumsiki is desertification, a process by which fertile land becomes increasingly arid and less capable of supporting life. Deforestation accelerates this process, as the loss of trees means that the soil loses its ability to retain water and nutrients. Without intervention, desertification can lead to the complete loss of productive land, making it impossible for local communities to sustain agriculture or maintain water sources.

2. Boosting Local Biodiversity:

Rhumsiki is part of the Sudano-Sahelian zone, where the loss of tree cover has led to a significant decline in biodiversity. The region is home to a variety of plant and animal species that depend on forests for their habitat. As deforestation has progressed, many of these species have been displaced or pushed closer to extinction.

By reforesting Rhumsiki, World Reserves seeks to re-establish native plant species and create new habitats for wildlife. Restoring biodiversity is not only important for the health of ecosystems but also for the resilience of the local environment against climate change and natural disasters.

3. Supporting Local Communities:

The people of Rhumsiki, like many rural communities in Cameroon, depend on the land for their survival. Agriculture is the backbone of the local economy, and the loss of fertile land due to deforestation has had direct consequences for food security and livelihoods. Moreover, the scarcity of wood for fuel has forced many families to travel long distances to gather firewood, placing an additional burden on an already strained environment.

World Reserves’ reforestation effort is designed to benefit the local population by creating sustainable sources of wood, improving soil fertility for agriculture, and enhancing water retention in the soil. By involving local communities in the planting and maintenance of trees, the project not only provides economic opportunities but also fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility for the long-term health of the environment.

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Reforestation and Climate Resilience

The effects of climate change are already being felt in Cameroon, particularly in regions like Rhumsiki, where droughts have become more frequent, and the rainy seasons are becoming less predictable. Reforestation plays a crucial role in building climate resilience by helping ecosystems and communities adapt to changing environmental conditions.

1. Carbon Sequestration:

As trees grow, they absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, acting as carbon sinks that help mitigate the effects of global warming. The reforestation of Rhumsiki will contribute to reducing atmospheric CO2 levels, aligning with World Reserves’ goal of combating climate change on a global scale. While planting 28,000 trees in a small region may seem like a drop in the bucket in terms of global emissions, it’s part of a larger strategy to save forests worldwide while also reforesting, building momentum toward a greener, more sustainable future.

2. Regulating Local Climate:

In addition to their global impact, trees have significant localized effects on climate. By providing shade and reducing the amount of heat absorbed by the earth’s surface, forests help regulate temperatures and create more favorable microclimates for agriculture. In Rhumsiki, where water is scarce and temperatures can soar, reintroducing tree cover can create more resilient agricultural systems and reduce the severity of drought conditions.

3. Water Resource Management:

Deforestation in the Rhumsiki area has disrupted the local water cycle, reducing rainfall and diminishing the availability of clean water. Without trees to trap moisture and facilitate rainfall, the region has seen an increase in droughts and water shortages. By planting trees, World Reserves aims to restore the natural hydrological cycle, which is essential for maintaining water resources and supporting agricultural productivity. Trees help retain water in the soil, reduce surface runoff, and promote groundwater recharge—all of which are critical for sustaining life in the semi-arid Rhumsiki region.

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Engaging the Rhumsiki Community

One of the most important aspects of World Reserves’ reforestation initiative in Rhumsiki is its focus on community engagement. The long-term success of any environmental project depends on the involvement and support of the local population. In Rhumsiki, World Reserves is working closely with local farmers, village leaders, and schools to ensure that the community is fully integrated into the reforestation process.

1. Education and Awareness:

Reforestation is not just about planting trees—it’s about cultivating a deeper understanding of the importance of environmental stewardship. World Reserves is committed to educating the people of Rhumsiki about the benefits of reforestation, not only for the land but also for their own well-being. By raising awareness about the links between deforestation, climate change, and economic security, the project aims to foster a culture of conservation that will last for generations.

2. Economic Opportunities:

Planting and maintaining trees requires labor, and World Reserves is creating economic opportunities for local residents through this project. By hiring local workers to help with planting and providing training in sustainable land management practices, the organization is helping to improve livelihoods while restoring the environment. Additionally, as the trees mature, they will provide resources such as fruits, nuts, and firewood that can be harvested sustainably, further supporting the community’s economic development.

3. A Collaborative Approach:

World Reserves recognizes that sustainable reforestation requires collaboration across multiple sectors. The organization is working with local government officials, NGOs, and international partners to ensure that the reforestation effort in Rhumsiki is both comprehensive and sustainable. By building strong partnerships and engaging the community at every level, World Reserves is creating a framework for long-term success.

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Rhumsiki’s Global Impact: A Small Step Toward a Healthier Planet

The reforestation of Rhumsiki is a small part of World Reserves’ larger mission to create a healthier planet for future generations. While the planting of 28,000 trees in Rhumsiki may seem like a localized effort, its implications are global. Forests are interconnected ecosystems that play a critical role in regulating the Earth’s climate, preserving biodiversity, and supporting human life. Every reforestation project contributes to the broader effort to restore balance to our planet’s ecosystems.

1. A Ripple Effect:

The success of the Rhumsiki reforestation project has the potential to inspire similar efforts in other regions of Cameroon and beyond. By demonstrating the tangible benefits of reforestation—improved water resources, increased biodiversity, and sustainable economic opportunities—World Reserves is creating a model that can be replicated in other deforested areas. This ripple effect can help build momentum for a global reforestation movement, one tree at a time.

2. A Commitment to Future Generations:

World Reserves’ work in Rhumsiki is about more than just planting trees—it’s about securing a future where people and nature can thrive together. As we face unprecedented environmental challenges, from climate change to biodiversity loss, initiatives like this are essential for ensuring that future generations inherit a planet that is capable of sustaining life. By reforesting Rhumsiki, World Reserves is planting the seeds of a greener, healthier future.

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Conclusion:

World Reserves’ reforestation efforts in Rhumsiki, Cameroon, are a testament to the organization’s commitment to creating a healthy planet. By planting 28,000 trees, the project will address critical environmental issues such as desertification, biodiversity loss, and water scarcity, while also supporting local communities. As the world grapples with the growing threats of climate change and deforestation, initiatives like this provide hope that, through concerted action, we can restore balance to our ecosystems and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.