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Africa in One Country:
Cultural Mosaic and Ecotourism
Paradise Cameroon's theme,"Africa in
One Country," says it all - cultural variety,
pageantry, panoramic scenery, and wildlife in its
natural habitat. Serendipity brings a pleasant
surprise around every corner, from Mount Cameroon
and the balmy beaches of Kribi and Limbe, to Waza
National Park and Lake Chad in the far north, on
the doorstep of Africa's Great Sahara desert.
Cameroon is the home of colorful festivals year
round. he Ngondo Festival in
Douala, Cameroon's largest city, is held annually
for ten days, ending on the first Sunday in
December. In the photo (left) two tribal experts
collect and read a message from the water spirits.
The scene opposite features a 65 man dugout race
canoe, 30m in length. The canoe portrayed is the
winning entrant from 2005. The smaller dugout
carries divers, about to descend into the Wouri
river waers to retrieve a message from the spirits.
The spirit message, after being interpreted by the
experts, is then delivered to a group of chieftains
from Douala and area, sitting under a special
canopy. The Ngoun Festival is
held every second year in December. The Sultan-King
of Bamoun is sitting on his ornate throne, framed
by huge elephant tusks. On the page opposite (lower
row) the guard's shield features a double headed
serpent, which depicts the kingdom's continuing
vigilance in keeping its enemies at bay in a two
front war. The next photo is of local officials in
their colorful regalia. The final photo shows the
guards and guests in line with the Bamoun palace in
the background. Venez découvrir le
Cameroun: Toute l'Afrique dans un pays - une
mosaique culturelle et un paradis
écotouristique Yaoundé et Douala,
deux principales villes du Cameroun, ont
déjà abrité les rencontres de
l'Africa Travel Association; et le slogan du
Cameroun ''Toute l'Afrique dans un pays,'' en dit
long. Ce slogan décrit la diversité
culturelle, l'apparat, les paysages panoramiques et
la faune dans son habitat naturel. Le don de faire
des trouvailles vous gratifie d'un plaisir
agréable d'un coin du pays à un
autre; du Mont Cameroun et des plages douces de
Kribi et de Limbé au Parc National de Waza,
ainsi qu'au Lac Tchad dans l'Extrême-Nord,
aux portes du grand désert africain du
Sahara. Notre équipe de rédaction
prépare actuellement un
tiré-à-part de Africa Travel
Magazine, qui présentera la culture
camerounaise ainsi qu'un ensemble de photographies
sur le festival du Ngoun et sur d'autres
manifestations pittoresques qui se déroulent
annuellement - c'est une raison suffisante pour
laquelle cette édition aura un aspect
conservateur.