by Ngozi, age 8 from Yaounde, Cameroon, asks Santa about Christmas at Rosemont, Cameroon’s diverse landscapes, and its Christmas celebrations.
Dear Santa, my name is Ngozi, and I am eight years old. I live in Yaounde, Cameroon, where my tata says our country has mountains, desert, rainforest, and beaches all packed into one place, which is why people call it Africa in miniature.
Dear Ngozi, a country with that much variety packed in is one of the most interesting stops on my entire African route, your tata picked a wonderfully diverse hometown.
Santa, I have three questions.
Have you seen Christmas at Rosemont? My tante watches it every year with her knitting in her lap.
I have seen a good number of cozy, small-town Christmas films over the years, Ngozi, and your tante’s knitting sounds like the perfect companion for one. Some traditions are simply meant to be enjoyed together, hands busy and heart warm.
My tata says Cameroon is nicknamed Africa in miniature because it has so many different landscapes. Is that true?
It is true, Ngozi, Cameroon holds mountains, desert, rainforest, and coastline all within its borders, a remarkable variety for one country. I always enjoy how much scenery changes on just my one flight across it.
My tata says Cameroon has both Christian and Muslim families, and Christmas is widely celebrated as a major holiday here. Is that true?
It is true, Ngozi, Cameroon is home to a strong Christian population, especially in the south, alongside a Muslim community mostly in the north, and Christmas is celebrated warmly as a major holiday. That kind of shared festive spirit across a diverse country is really something special to witness.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Ngozi Mbarga
Yaounde, Cameroon
P.S. Can you bring my tante some new knitting needles for her movie nights?
Consider it arranged, Ngozi, a good hobby deserves good supplies.
