The Subtle Marks of the Damage Caused by Colonization in Sub-Saharan Africa: Case Study of Cameroon

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify the consequences of colonization in the daily lives of African peoples in sub-Saharan Africa. For this, many actions have been carried out. From the 4,500 men interviewed, 3,010 would choose a light-skinned wife and 1,000 a dark-skinned wife; 490 are not influenced by skin complexion. From the 4,500 women interviewed, 2004 would choose a light-skinned man and 644 a dark-skinned man. 1852 are not influenced by skin complexion. From the 4500 women, 3800 would like to have a fair complexion and 500 a dark complexion; 200 are indifferent. From the 500 children interviewed, 379 liked fair complexion, against 121 for dark complexion. Many people worship the white man. We find the signs of this on a daily basis: The best places are always reserved for the white man on all occasions; the way peoples interprate a successful action or a purchasing power; The efforts made to speak like white men; The rejection of one’s language and one’s tribal name in favor of those imported; The pronounced taste for imported clothing products. Concerning the musical and choreographic preferences, we can classify the young peoples interviewed as follows: 50.2% strictly in favor of imported dances and music styles; 26.2% love both imported and Cameroonian music and dance styles; 23.5% in favor of strictly Cameroonian dances and music styles. In the same vein, we have for hairdressing: 28.33% for grafting; 21.89% for the use of wigs; 15.82% for Afro-style. The choirs which practice the folk style are always lowered in front of those which practice the baroque style. In view of this dark picture, we can notice in detail that there is a segment of the African population south of the Sahara, even if it is a minority, which lives its Africanness with pride. It therefore constitutes the hope for the rebirth of African culture.

Situation of the Practice of Mother Tongues in Cameroon and Proposal of Methods Aimed at Facilitating Their Learning

“…In this sense, in the cities of Yaoundé and Douala globally, it is the French and English languages, then the pidgin as noted by [27]. We can therefore highlight here the impact of rural exodus on the loss of cultures of peoples south of the Sahara, as [4] seems to point out. Further, learning a language other than their mother tongue acts on the practitioner as a kind of catalyst that pushes them to develop behaviors specific to the place of origin of the said language.…”

“…[22] sees in this an unwavering attachment to his roots. We can therefore think with [4] that the hope of a cultural renaissance remains a reality. The tendency to practice the mother tongue is all the stronger for families with low purchasing power.…”

“…Thus, we will see changes in terms of diction, clothing, culinary choices, declarations of love, hairstyle, etc. [4] finds in these subtle marks of the damage caused by colonization in sub-Saharan Africa, which unfortunately now can easily be transmitted from one person to another as soon as one decides to be related to Mister everyone ". As a result, everyone must now be more careful than in the past because everything is now in a position to further distance the younger generations from their ancestral roots.…”

“…In the 15th century, the technically and economically strong states embarked on the relentless popularization of their culture through the submission of weak peoples [3]. Along the way, they gradually imposed their languages of communication on the various subject countries [4]. This cultural nuisance has led to the loss of cultural identity in the vast majority of ex-colonies on a planetary scale today; the entire Central African sub-region is a clear evidence [5].…”

“…They justify this reluctance by brandishing the security situation of children in the village because of the practice of witchcraft that prevails there [15]. The village being the last rampart that can guarantee the restoration of culture [4], it is easy to realize that the situation of mother tongues today in Cameroon is more than worrying.…”