Cameroon Francis Ramirez Trevor Wisniewski Erik Andersson

Basic Info on Cameroon Capital: Yaounde Climate: tropical along coast, desert-like and arid inland Religions: 40% African religions, 40% Christian, 20% Muslim (Free Religion) Government: Republican

Cameroonian History 500 A.D- Bornu Empire takes over –Separate kingdoms, tribes, and fondums Portuguese take over and set up banana plantations and slave trade Dutch take over slave trade Germans declare Cameroon their protectorate British/French forces take over, split it (80% French, 20% British) Independence gained under the new President, Ahmadou Ahidjo New president, Paul Biya, moves toward Democracy

Cameroon Education Children have acess to free, state run schools –School system influenced by British and French school system –Lessons taught in French and English –Highest school attendance rate in Africa

Cameroon Politics President has broad range of powers from creating policies to creating new gov’t agencies. Appoints all government officials, including Prime Minister –Selected by popular vote every 7 years Legal system based on French Civil Law –President appoints Supreme court judges National Assembly makes legislation –180 members, majority votes to pass laws Local governments run by traditional chiefs

Cameroon Culture European Influence –Christian missionaries bring over European holidays like x-mas. –Cameroonian films are heavily influenced by European themes such as Assimilation African Traditions –Cultures vary for every ethnic group –Traditional African arts and crafts like weaving baskets or mud pottery –Nigerian Music heavily influences Cameroon Music –Music and Dance huge part in Cameroonian ceremonies. Used for both entertainment and religion

The people of Cameroon 250 ethnic groups that form 5 different cultural/religious groups –Western Highlanders include Bamileke people Mostly Christian and Traditional African religions –Coastal people and Southern Tropical people Major Christian Regions, English Speaking –Northern, central Highlanders Muslim majority, French is major language

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