Demographics and development
Although recent figures are difficult to obtain, it is estimated that in 2021 Cameroon will have a population of 27.2 million. In the same year, population growth is estimated at 2.6%, with a birth rate of around 35%. The mortality rate is down to 8.58% since 2021, (with an infant mortality rate of 5%) and life expectancy is now 60 years.
The urban population now represents 59% of the total population. Finally, Cameroon's population is young: 60% of the population is under 25. Yaoundé, the capital and major administrative center, has a population of around 3 million (2020). Douala is the country's economic capital, with just over 4 million inhabitants. The country's other major cities, such as Maroua and Garoua in the north, and Bamenda in the west, are on a much smaller scale, barely exceeding half a million inhabitants.
Population distribution is very uneven, with three much more densely populated areas: the Grass Fields, i.e. the fertile plateaus stretching between Mount Cameroon and the beginning of the Adamaoua plateaus (the West: a region inhabited mainly by the Bamilékés), the northern plains and the neighboring Mandara and Atlantika mountains, and finally the Yaoundé region. These three regions have a population density (outside the cities) of over 50 inhabitants/km2 (with peaks of 100 in some areas), compared with a national average of over 44.8 inhabitants/km2. With an HDI (Human Development Index) of 0.576 (UNDP 2022), Cameroon ranks 153rd out of 191 countries worldwide.
Population and languages
In addition to the 250 dialects that can be heard throughout Cameroon, the two official languages are French and English. French-speakers make up around 80% of the population, while English-speakers, or 20%, are concentrated in the western territories (more precisely, the South-West and North-West provinces), which were under British rule before independence.
The English language is less present for essentially historical reasons: the British relied in their administration on local potentates to whom much of the management of the territories was delegated. The French, on the other hand, favored a strong administration based on French-speaking Cameroonians (both linguistically and culturally). However, bilingualism is present throughout the country: in schools in French-speaking areas, English is taught as a second language, and in schools in English-speaking areas, French is taught as a second language.
In addition to these two official languages, there are a very large number of local languages and dialects (over 250, i.e. almost as many languages as ethnic groups), which contribute greatly to the affirmation of the different ethnic groups living in the country. Among these dialects, called "patois" by Cameroonians, some are more widely used than others. These include ewondo, peul, bassa, douala, bamoun, boulou, batanga and, of course, the famous pidgin, also known as "broken english", a kind of creole derived from English that is fairly widespread in Cameroon.
Ethnic groups
Cameroon is not only a land of many landscapes, it's also a veritable mosaic of African peoples, with no fewer than 250 different ethnic groups, earning it the nickname Africa Miniature.
The country is at the crossroads of two major ethnic groups: the Sudanese from the north (Toupouri, Moundang, Massa) and the Bantu from the south. The Bantu peoples make up a large proportion of Cameroon's population, especially when we add related peoples (known as semi-Bantu) such as the Tikars, Bamouns and Bamilékés, who live mainly in the west and north-west of the country. This gives a total of over 4 million people, including some 700,000 Bamilékés, an entrepreneurial people known to be highly influential in business circles. In addition to the Toupouri, Moundang, Massa and Kotokos peoples of the north and the Bantus of the south, the Choas Arabs and Peuls (or Foulbés) also populate the north and are estimated at 350,000 individuals.
Bamouns and Bamilékés, Kirdis and Foulbés
The history of the peoples of Cameroon is not without clashes and struggles for power and territory. And major migratory flows have marked the country's ethnic landscape to this day.
The Bamouns and Bamilékés are two ethnic groups from western Cameroon. The Bamouns are Tikar stockbreeders who arrived in the 13th century with their mastery of iron and horses. They settled in the Foumban and Foumbot region, not without conflict with the Bamilékés who occupied these lands. This ancestral rivalry led to the current separation of the two groups on either side of the River Noun: the Bamouns to the north of the river, with their capital Foumban, and the Bamilékés to the south, in Bafoussam.
The Kirdis and the Foulbés are two ethnic groups in northern Cameroon. The Foulbés are nomadic pastoralists who, at the end of the 16th century, moved from west to east until they reached Lake Chad. In the following century, they settled in Adamaoua and, a further century later, ended up driving out the Kirdis, a group of ethnic groups from northern Cameroon to Chad derogatorily regarded as "pagans" for not practicing Islam.
A colorful mosaic
To illustrate the diversity of these ethnic groups, we can in some cases draw on physical characteristics and types, such as the particularly large Kotokos, who live in the far north of the country, and the particularly small Pygmies (estimated at 15,000, they are Cameroon's oldest inhabitants), who populate the forests of the south and east.
But the differences between Cameroon's ethnic groups go beyond language, and are also expressed in culture. From religion and customs to music, dance, fabric colors and traditional dress, gastronomy... this ethnic diversity jumps out at those discovering the country, and represents the very essence of a trip to Cameroon.
Of course, diversity also means good-natured rivalries and popular clichés. So, while the Bamilékés are said to be close to their money and respected as real estate and business tycoons, the ethnic groups of the North are renowned for their integrity and loyalty, and for having lots of children. The Doualas are known for their sense of family and their melodious, soft-spoken language. They are also talented musicians. Today, the Bassa represent the struggle for independence, and their stance throughout history has earned them the status of incorruptible fighters. As for the Batangas, they populate the Atlantic coast and are great fishermen. They are known for their mystical culture linked to the sea and its legendary creatures (the mami wata, mermaids who inhabit the waters of the region). The Ewondos and Beti, peoples of Yaoundé and the Centre region, are known for their strength of character, their flair for words and their sense of celebration. They are also known to be excellent musicians.
Of course, all these characteristics are to be taken with a sense of humor, and they fuel the day-to-day relations between these ethnic groups, whose overall harmonious cohabitation is to be commended. The rare tensions must be read through the grid of land and wealth distribution rather than through the ethnic grid. These tensions may concern conflicts over land use, particularly between farmers and herders. The notion of tribalism has long been at the heart of debates, but it's a notion that, although still present in society, is becoming more and more aware among the younger generations.
The local language
At the restaurant
Tournedos: gargotes.
Frites de pommes: fried apples (from potatoes).
Plantain fries: plantain banana fries.
Juice: sodas such as Coca-Cola, Djino, Top...
Iced or unglazed: if you like your drink chilled or at room temperature, your choice.
Couscous: the ball, most often made of corn, tapioca or manioc (but depending on the region, it may be made of millet or rice). A thick, ball-shaped dough, served with a variety of sauces. To order couscous as you understand it, specify "Algerian couscous".
Soya: sahel-style grilled meat skewers, available in tournedos or 50/50 (50 skewers at 50 francs each). Queuing in front of these stalls will show you the best spots to enjoy the famous grilled meat.
Loaded bread : Omelette sandwich into which you can add spaghetti, onions, tomatoes and your choice of chilli!
Transportation
Benskin: motorcycle cabs, very common in Douala and inland towns like Kribi, Maroua and Ngaoundéré. Some towns, like Buéa, have none at all.
Leave me here: I've reached my destination.
Depot! this is what you'll shout to the cab driver who slows down when you get there, if you want to be alone in the cab.
Money
Etre foiré: to be broke, to be penniless.
Feyman: swindler, exposed wealth of unknown origin.
Frapper: to cheat, to swindle.
Between us
La nga / la go: the girl.
Le njoka: the party, the atmosphere.
Faire le faro faro: to show off or faroter: to show that one is tipping.
Faire le nianga: to make oneself beautiful: "Hum, even to go to the toilet, we do the Nianga!
Depuis: since a long time ago: "Je suis arrivé depuiiiiiiiis!"
We're together: we keep in touch (to say goodbye).
Faire le kongossa (or kongosser): to gossip. Cameroon's national sport.
C'est comment? how are you?
What's up?
You say? pardon?
