Kumba: Melting Pot of Living Together

Kumba, referred to affectionately as “Green City” stands out tall in its splendour as Cameroon in miniature as the four cultural zones of the country are represented in the city. Being the commercial hub of the South West Region and chief town of Meme Division, the city is bustling with economic activities dominated by trade and agriculture, which are pull factors for many not only from the national triangle but also from across the borders. Nestled between Fako, Ndian, Kupe Muanenguba and Manyu Divisions in the South West Region, Kumba has become the epicentre of all the tribes of the region and beyond, living in harmony despite the cultural diversity. With over 1.1 million inhabitants as per the rough estimate of the City Mayor, Kumba presents itself as a veritable testament of living together and national unity. Even the nomenclature of some of its neigbourhoods and streets like “Yaounde quarter, “Meta quarter,” “Bamileke street,” Haussa quarter amongst others, is a clear illustration that living together and national unity irrespective of the diversities, are palpable in the city. The indigenous tribes of Kumba notably the Bafaws, Bakundus, Barombis and Balongs are hailed for embracing not only nationals but also foreigners. According to the Imam of Kumba Central Mosque, Nasirou Ibrahim, whose grandparents were born in Kumba, the founders of the modern day Kumba received the Haussa community with open arms and allocated a place for them to settle today known as Haussa quarter. Today, the Muslim community in the city count...