Cameroon is a country in west-central Africa that is officially known as the Republic of Cameroon. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west and north; Chad to the northeast; the Central African Republic to the east; and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and the Republic of the Congo to the south. Its coastline lies on the Bight of Biafra, part of the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean. The country is sometimes identified as West African and other times as Central African, due to its strategic position at the crossroads between West and Central Africa. It has nearly 25 million people speaking 250 native languages.
Cameroon’s official languages are French and English, which are also the official languages of former French and British Cameroons. Its religious population is primarily Christian, with a small minority of Muslims and others adhering to traditional beliefs. It has faced opposition from English-speaking regions, where politicians have called for more decentralization, if not full split or independence. Tensions over the development of an Ambazonian state in English-speaking territory reached a breaking point in 2017.
Subsistence farming is practiced by a large number of Cameroonians. Because of its physical, linguistic, and cultural richness, the country is often referred to as “Africa in small.”
TRENDING FASHION IN CAMEROON
ACCESSORIES IN CAMEROON
TRIBES IN CAMEROON AND THEIR FASHION
The Bamileke People
The Bamileke are an ethnic group from the Grassfields. They are natives of Cameroon’s west and make up one of the country’s main ethnic groupings. In the West, the Bamileke are organized into 106 groups, each commanded by a king or fon. In other words, the Grassfield peoples are both Anglophone and Francophone, with the Fussep, the earliest Grassfields tribe (mid-14th century), deriving straight from the last unique Bamileke King (Ndeh) before the group dispersed in the Tikar region, along with the Bamun and the Nso people.
The Beti-Pahuim People
The Beti-Pahuin are a Bantu ethnic group who live in the rain forests of Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and So Tomé and Prncipe. Despite the fact that they are divided into different clans, they all have a common origin and history.
TOURIST AND HISTORICAL PLACES IN CAMEROON
Bafoussam – The city’s tribal museum, which is part of the “Four Museums of Cameroon” project, is the city’s principal tourist attraction.
Yaounde – The metropolis is meticulously built to be distributed over seven hills, with areas of beautiful greenery and rising terrain separating the numerous structures.
Waza national Park – During each of the four seasons, this park takes on a new appearance, but it is always a fantastic site to see some of the country’s most stunning animals, such as elephants, giraffes, and hyenas. Self-drive vehicles are permitted to tour the park, but they must be accompanied by a guide.
Mefou National Park – Mefou is a volunteer-run project located outside of Yaounde. The park serves as a rehabilitative facility for apes such as chimps and gorillas.
Maroua – Maroua is an excellent place to learn about Cameroon’s culture, and its busy marketplaces are among the best in the country.
Limbe – Limbe is a fantastic starting point for those who want to experience the area’s natural beauties. The city’s botanical gardens are an excellent spot to learn about the area’s ecology and plants before heading out to the adjacent waterfalls and national park.
Kribi – The city’s tribal museum, which is part of the “Four Museums of Cameroon” project, is the city’s principal tourist attraction.
Korup National Park – In Cameroon, this is the land of happiness. White sand, turquoise sea, and fresh fish served from eateries lining the seashore characterize the beaches here.
Garoua – The city is a bustle of activity, thriving as a river port that exports everything from petroleum to animal hides. Because there are several game reserves in the vicinity, travelers frequently stay in Garoua and utilize the city as a base.
Foumban – The city’s history is steeped in the arts, music, and architecture. It is also the city with the greatest Muslim population in Cameroon.
Dschang – The city’s primary attractions include the Museum of Civilization, which covers Cameroon’s past via its tribes and cultures, and the Center le Cinematique, which is, as the name implies, a cinema museum.
Douala – In most ways, this is Cameroon’s most important city; the airport, as well as the port and the business center, are the country’s most important.
Dja Faunal Reserve – With resident scientists and well-marked routes, the park is well-maintained. The park is home to a variety of bird species, including hornbills and the highly uncommon red-headed rockfowl.
Campo Ma’an National Park – This enormous national park has 264,000 hectares in size. The sceneries contained within this vast expanse are as varied as one could anticipate.
Bamenda – Bamenda is the capital of Cameroon’s northwestern region and is a huge metropolis with all of the amenities and services that travelers require.
MUSIC IN CAMEROON
Cameroon’s music encompasses a wide range of traditional and modern musical genres. Makossa, a popular style that has acquired admirers across Africa, and its linked dance craze bikutsi among the most well-known modern genres.
Douala’s pirogue sailors are noted for their ngoso singing, which has evolved into a type of modern music accompanied by zanza, balafon, and other percussion instruments.
Some musicians in Cameroon include:
Stanley Enow
Magasco
Some art work in Cameroon include:
MEALS IN CAMEROON
Ekwang – a popular Cameroonian dish consisting of grated cocoyam that is tied in cocoyam leaves.
Poulet DG – a tasty poultry dish in Cameroon made in combination with chicken and ripe plantain.
Ndole – traditional Cameroonian dish made with boiled bitterleaf, peanuts and melon seeds.
Kondre – a national dish in Cameroon, consisting of plantains, tomatoes, onions, spices and meat.
Achu Soup – it consist of boiled and pounded cocoyam, water, spices and palm oil.
Sangah – a Cameroonian specialty dish made with cassava leaves, palm oil and maize.
Ekwang
Poulet DG
Ndole
Kondre
Achu Soup
Sangah
Banana Kpwem – a vegetarian dish made with young and tender manioc leaves as the key ingredient.
Banana malaxe – banana traditional stew originating from Cameroon.
Mbongo Tchobi – a typical black stew and favoured meat that is spiced up.
Corn chaff – Cameroonian stew made mainly from corn and beans.
Banana Kpwem
Banana malaxe
Mbongo Tchobi
Corn chaff
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION AND HABITAT PROTECTION IN CAMEROON
The tropical forest of Cameroon is home to a diverse range of plants and animals. Baka pygmies who are foragers and Bantu farmers live there as well. These communities have created livelihoods, cultures, and faiths that are reliant on the forest. Commercial and state-sponsored forest destruction, subsistence agriculture, and product exploitation have demanded a significant increase in environmental protection programs to maintain and repair ecosystems, forests, soils, and water resources. The government and international development agencies are ultimately responsible for the conservation method that is used.
EFFECT OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN CAMEROON
Cameroon is already experiencing the effects of climate change, such as an unusual frequency of extreme weather events such as violent winds, high temperatures, and heavy rains, all of which put communities’ ecosystems and services at risk. Cameroon is particularly vulnerable due to its Sahelian zone regions, which are suffering from desertification, and its coastal parts, which are endangered by increasing sea levels. Because Cameroon is so diverse, the nature of climate change and its consequences differ greatly from one region to the next. However, all agroecological zones, as well as all sectors, will be affected in some way. Climate change could jeopardize Cameroon’s efforts to decrease poverty, diversify its economy, and improve its competitiveness.
GENDER EQUALITY IN CAMEROON
Some progress has been made in the area of women’s rights on a global scale. Women held 33.9 percent of seats in Cameroon’s parliament as of February 2021, however, more work needs to be done to attain gender equality.
Some prominent women in Cameroon include:
Judith Yah Sunday Achidi – Director General of Cameroon Telecommunication.
Yaou Aissatou – Cameroon’s first Minister of Women’s Affair.
Pauline Nalova Lyonga – Minister of Secondary Education in Cameroon.
Professor Olivette Otele – United Kingdom’s first black female professor.
Judith Yah Sunday Achidi
Yaou Aissatou
Pauline Nalova Lyonga
Professor Olivette Otele
Gladys Ejomi – first female Cameroonian certified physician.
Marie-Therese Abena Ondoa – Cameroonian academic and politician who has been Minister of Women’s Empowerment and the Family.
Rebecca Enonchong – influential Cameroonian tech figure. Award winning female entrepreneur.
Prof. RoseLeke – renowned Cameroonian scientist with outstanding results in health sector.
Gladys Ejomi
Marie-Therese Abena Ondoa
Rebecca Enonchong
Prof. Rose Leke
