In the 80s and 90s, two women, Mallah and Marie-Lumière, profoundly impacted the city of Douala in Cameroon. Guebou Julienne, wife of Yaguaka, better known as Mallah, exerted considerable influence from the Bepanda neighborhood, promising healing through water and prayer.
Towards the end of 1981, Marie Djuide, called Marie-Lumière, joined Mallah. Both, Catholics from Bandjoun, began organizing prayer sessions in Mallah's courtyard, quickly attracting huge crowds. Testimonials of miraculous healings, such as paralytics walking again and the blind regaining their sight, fueled the craze. Thousands of people, mostly women, flocked to Bepanda with water cans and bottles, participating in intense and mystical ceremonies.
The arrival of Father Soffo, also from Bandjoun, amplified the movement. Together, they formed an influential trio in the early 80s. However, tensions arose. In 1995, Mallah accused Father Soffo of presenting himself as "Jesus Christ," which she considered an unacceptable drift and an immediate break. Marie-Lumière chose to follow Father Soffo and settled in Makepe Voirie, while Mallah continued alone in Bepanda.
Mallah maintained her influence and gathered nearly 10,000 people at the Camtel stadium in January 2001 to celebrate 20 years of her work. However, the story took a tragic turn in 2002 when a 6-year-old girl died, beaten by Mallah's followers. The perpetrators claimed they would do it again if Mallah asked them to. An arrest warrant was issued, the child's parents were arrested, but Mallah fled to the United States, where her children resided.
Julienne Yagaka Guebou, alias Mallah, born around 1956 in western Cameroon, led this religious movement that claimed to heal the sick. Her cult took place in her courtyard in Bepanda, in collaboration with Marie-Lumière. After the murder of the girl in 2002, the Cameroonian state banned the sect and Mallah went into exile in the United States. A crossroads bears her name in Bepanda.
Marie Djuide, born in 1957 in Bandjoun, joined Father Soffo in Makepe Voirie after her separation from Mallah. She has continued her mission since July 31, 1995, dedicating herself to the service of others despite the difficulties. Father Soffo, whose real name was Wambo Jean Ernest, made a name for himself in Cameroon by setting up the Bureau Lumière in Yaoundé. He claimed to heal the sick with spring water and called himself sent by God.
The style of Mallah and Marie-Lumière's preaching was inspired by the Charismatic Renewal movement. Cardinal Christian Tumi had forbidden Catholic faithful from going to Mallah's, even threatening excommunication to those who went there.
Despite a tragic end and a ban on her movement, Mallah remains a prominent figure in Cameroon's religious history. Marie-Lumière continues her ministry, while Father Soffo, who has died, leaves behind a controversial but influential legacy.
