ABSTRACT
The organization of age-groups was important, thirdly, in the forum they provided both for general discussion and for the emergence of accepted leaders within the context of a relatively extended residential group (normally a village). The Basinjom association belongs to the category of supernatural or cult associations, but is described briefly here since it gives evidence of the general form of Banyang associations and of the way in which these are organized to serve a dominant interest or purpose. During the period of author fieldwork it was also one of the two most active and widespread traditional associations in Banyang country. A lodge of Basinjom is divided into three main grades, of which the third and senior consists of titled office-bearers. The quick, rhythmic drumming which is characteristic of the association is started, and the gowned figure, now spoken of as Basinjom or the cult-agency itself, begins a wheeling, gliding dance, followed by its attendants.
