At the Bamenda Food Market Cameroon, there exists a cultural space. The scenery combines several aspects of culture. It reflects the natural and artistic heritage of Africa and to a very great extent that of Cameroon.
This area of the market that serves as a reference point to peoples and their identity lie westward the Food Market just opposite a pharmacy called Amen Pharmacy and adjacent a market area called fowl line. The area has not been given a formal name, however “country line” is the appellation used by locals to describe the area.
While passing around the area, I was really fascinated by the vast array of cultural goods displayed at the open shed shops there. With curiosity, I dashed into one of the sheds where these goods have been displayed. Fortunately for me, the trader was friendly so after introducing myself to him as a cultural journalist we exchanged niceties and he told me he is Alhaji Tanimu Halidu.
Upon inquiries, he named some of the goods to me. They include
- embroidered clothes made in selected colours,
- Liquids and concoctions like honey, African panacea, lemon oil castor oil, kernel oil, and olive oil
- Invaluable rocks of health benefits like black stone, yellow stone, foot stone and white stone.
- Sea fruits like cowries,
- Sculpted utensils like clay pots, cow horn cups, carved ornaments, molten farm tools, calabashes, wooden spoons, pans and sceptres.
- Powders made from turmeric, garlic, tobacco, camwood and sasswood
- Others like back of different trees, herbs, black seeds, incense, sweet pepper, hot pepper, feathers from porcupine, bird eggs and fowls.
Many appear as artistic works that mimic real and natural creatures e.g. horse tail.
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Preview of varied cultural goods, images captured at open shed shops, Food Market Bamenda
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| Clay pots |
The cultural goods found at Country Line are essentially the gift of nature that abound on mother earth. Most of the items there reflect the habits and way of life of people living in the tribes and villages in the North West region of Cameroon.
A handful of the other cultural items come from other tribes in the other regions of the country with a handful others from other African countries like Ghana and Nigeria. The cultural goods are acquired by those who cherish it mostly for health, medicinal or ornamental purposes.
Candidly speaking, the place called Country Line at the Bamenda food market can regarded as a cultural conservation area; it possesses a collection of natural food and fruits, artefacts, relics, monuments and art and craft and indeed it is an eye appeal.
They arouse the interest of any passerby who would only be satisfied by stopping by and buying one or two goods for a try or ask questions for knowledge and understanding.