Cultural Diversity, Identity Construction and Nation-building in Cameroon: Transitions from Pre-Kamerun to Post-Independence Cameroon

Cameroon, a microcosm of Africa, is characterised by profound cultural diversity, with over 250 ethnic groups and a complex history of colonialism. This paper explores the historical trajectory of cultural diversity and the problem of identity in Cameroon, from the pre-Kamerun through the colonial to the post-colonial periods. It examines the extent to which the German administration and subsequently, British, and French titular rules shaped the country’s cultural landscape, creating divisions and hierarchies that persist today. Informed by primary and secondary data, the paper argues that while Cameroon prides itself as a cultural melting pot, the legacy of cultural diversity and identity construction are two social engineering factors that continue to influence conversations, expression and policy orientations on the project of nation-building in Cameroon. By analysing the historical context and contemporary manifestations, the study demonstrates the crucial importance of identity and cultural diversity in informing the project and process of nation-building especially in the cultural-variegated Cameroonian nation where the quest for unity and integration is not only crucial but urgent.

Cultural diversity, identity, colonialism, post-colonialism, nation-building, Cameroon.

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