Population

Approximately 15.2 milion inhabitants in 2001

46% are less than 18 years old

49% of people live in town

Peoples and ethnic groups

Cameroon has a recent population from diverse origins. Pygmy people, living in the forest are the most ancient of the country. There are over 250 ethnic groups and thousands years old cultures and traditions. Population is divided into two major groups between North and South.

In the North, ethnic groups are made up with Sudaneses, Foulbes (or Peuls) and Arab Choas. The South comprises two groups: Pygmy and Bantou peoples living in the forest, and 3 sub-groups (Bamikele, Bamoun and Tikar) established in the grassfields of the West.

Languages

French and English are the two official languages spoken in Cameroon: 78 % for French and 22 % for English.

The other national languages are divided into two groups: Sudanese in the North and Bantou in the South

Religions

The majority of people are Christians ( 33% Catholics ans 17 % protestants). Animists represents 25 % of the population and Muslims are 22 %. The last ones usually lives in the North and whereas Christians are in the South.

Cameroon is a land of welcome and tolerance, where classic religions are practicing in peaceful cohabitation with a large range of sects.

Traditions and customs

Cameroon is a very diverse country with many ethnic groups and traditions valuing its folklore, crafts, settlements and lifestyle.

In the South, tourists will be carried in a mythic and ancestral world by storytellers and dramatic poets who are performing in ‘’Bafia’’, ‘’Bikusti’’ and ‘’Assiko’’ ballets, among other traditional dances.

‘’Bamikele’’ dancers are revealing all the charm of western region wih sparkling colours of their masks and costumes.

‘’Fantasia’’, a gracefull horse-race, is the main cultural attraction in the North.

Flourishing everywhere, crafts are a symbolic bridge between traditions and modernity, which makes the country very proud of this challenge. Western and Northern regions remains the finest providers of Cameroonian Art. Bafoussam, Foumban and Bamenda are among the famous cities renowned for their masks, embroided costumes and statuettes...etc.