by Amara from Douala asks Santa about Christmas bread, learns about Mount Cameroon, and hears about Cameroon’s bilingual French and English Christmas traditions
Dear Santa, my name is Amara and I am nine years old. I live in Douala, Cameroon, where my tantine says our country speaks two official languages, French and English, sometimes in the very same conversation.
Dear Amara, I have heard that exact conversational switching myself, and I always find it rather impressive to follow.
Santa, I have three questions.
My first question is, do you like Christmas bread? My grandmother bakes a rich, sweet loaf every December that the whole house waits for eagerly.
I love a good sweet holiday bread, Amara, and your grandmother’s dedicated baking sounds exactly like the kind of tradition worth eagerly waiting for every single year.
My second question is about our mountain. My teacher says Mount Cameroon is an active volcano and the tallest mountain in West Africa. Is that true?
It is, Amara. Mount Cameroon is both an active volcano and the highest peak in West Africa, occasionally sending smoke gently into the sky. Flying near it each Christmas Eve, I always keep a respectfully careful distance.
My third question is, why does my country celebrate Christmas with both French and English traditions blended together?
Cameroon’s history includes both French and British colonial influence, Amara, resulting in a country that proudly speaks two official languages and blends customs from both traditions into its own unique Christmas celebrations. I think that kind of thoughtful blending, rather than choosing only one, creates something richer than either tradition alone.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Amara Fotso
Douala, Cameroon
P.S. Will you say Merry Christmas in both languages when you visit?
Every year, Amara. It only seems fair.
