Cameroon’s cultural potential

Cameroon’s cultural potential reflects the ethnic diversity of its people.In this country of over two hundred ethnic groups,Pygmies, Bantus, Sudanese, and Arab-Berber live in harmony.This cultural diversity is illustrated in the lifestyle, traditions house style , folklore and handicraft.

From North to South the tourist will be impressed by the traditional housing style which is the characteristic of each ethnic group.From the Bamileke thatched -roof houses to Mousgoum shell-like houses found along the Logone River,the visitor will discover a series of wonderful housing styles.Here and there, traditional housing architecture exists alongside modern architecture.

The West and the North are the main handicraft centres in Cameroon.Bamenda, Bafoussam, Foumban and Maroua are towns renowned for their crafts objects and the beauty of their of their ancient monuments.Tourists will find it difficult to make a choice among pipes statues, carved thrones, figurines masks and other objects depicting scenes of everyday life or the war history of the tribe.

The folklore too is very rich.Some cultural festivals have become major tourists events.These include:

• The Ngondo of the coastal people of Cameroon is a ritual in which magic and reality mingle and which involves dance , carnival,a canoe race , beauty contests etc.
• Funerals in the West and North-West are an opportunity to celebrate the memory of the dead through colourful ceremonies.
• The annual “Nyem- Nyem” festival which traces the epoic resistance of these people German penetration.
• The “Ngoun” ,a true display of the rich secular culture of the Bamoun people.
• Fantasias in Northern lamidats lead to great rejoicing.
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• In the South,the “Mvet”(sort of harp) player epic storyteller and poet is a great figure who plays a vital role in society.