 Atangana was a devout Christian , and he supported the church throughout his life with land and gifts . He opposed popular Beti syncretist practices , and he was an opponent of an Ewondo initiation rite called the Sso ; his efforts led to its eventual eradication from Beti society . In 1901 he secured land for the Pallottine Fathers to build a mission in Jaunde , thus opening East and South Kamerun to Catholic proselytisation . Nevertheless , Atangana supported traditional Ewondo customs on marriage . On widows , he said , 
