Bandy Kiki’s same-sex marriage: Nso cultural association says union insult to Nso community

The Executive Council of the Nso Cultural and Development Association, NSODA has described the union as an “insult to the dignity and pride of a Nso woman and the Nso community as a whole.”

The Executive Council of the Nso Cultural and Development Association, NSODA, has issued a press release expressing deep dismay over the recent marriage of Bandy Kiki, a prominent Nso woman and LGBTQ+ activist, to her Nigerian wife, Jenny, in the United Kingdom. In a statement, released on March 28, the association says the union is a “personal and cultural affront,” particularly due to the fact that the marriage was officiated by a fellow Nso woman in the Lamnso dialect. NSODA described the act as an “insult to the dignity and pride of a Nso woman and the Nso community as a whole.”

Bandy Kiki, a UK-based Cameroonian media entrepreneur, has been an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, especially in Cameroon, where same-sex relationships remain criminalized. While her supporters view her marriage as a milestone for queer representation in African communities, traditionalist factions within the Nso community see it as a serious violation of cultural norms.

In particular, NSODA has taken issue with Kiki’s self-identification as “Shey Lesbian,” arguing that the title, which is typically reserved for individuals who have made significant contributions to the community, is being misused in a manner that disrespects Nso traditions. “Everyone in NSO is conscious of the personal, legal, and customary implications regarding same-sex marriage: a serious traditional taboo that is prohibited by law in Cameroon,” the statement read.

NSODA asserts that Kiki’s actions, though framed by her supporters as an expression of personal freedom, contradict the core values of Nso culture. The association urged Nso women to reject the example set by Kiki and her officiator, advising them to uphold traditional values. “Same-sex amorous relationships, directly or indirectly, are dishonoring and prohibited in Nso,” the statement emphasized, calling on mothers to instill these principles in future generations.

In response to the wedding, NSODA has called on Nso authorities, including the Fons and the traditional council known as Ngwerong, to investigate and exercise judgment on the woman who officiated the marriage. They have also requested the Cameroonian government to strengthen existing laws against same-sex unions and enhance enforcement against public displays of affection among same-sex couples.

The controversy surrounding Kiki Bandy’s marriage comes amid ongoing global conversations about LGBTQ+ rights, with increasing advocacy for equal rights facing resistance from conservative communities. While Kiki and her supporters hail the union as a moment of personal and social liberation, NSODA’s condemnation highlights the deep cultural and legal barriers that LGBTQ+ individuals continue to face in Cameroon.