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Country Guide > Africa > Cameroon | |
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Social Profile Food & Drink Local food is excellent; French or Lebanese cuisine is also available. Luxury items can be extremely expensive. The country abounds in avocado pears, manoic leaves, citrus fruits, pineapples and mangoes. Prawns are in plentiful supply in the south. Many dishes are served with rice, couscous or mashed potato. There are many restaurants in big towns and cities, with good service. Most international hotels have bars. Nightlife In Douala and Yaoundé particularly, nightclubs and casinos can be found independently or within most good hotels. There are also some cinemas. There are no licensing hours, and hotel bars stay open as long as there is custom. Shopping Local handicrafts include highly decorated pots, drinking horns, jugs, bottles and cups, great earthenware bowls and delicate pottery, dishes and trays, mats and rugs woven from grass, raffia, jewellery and camel hair or cotton and beadwork garments. Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0730-1800. Special Events Local entertainment troupes may be seen in most regional towns. For further information on special events, contact the Ministry of Tourism (see Contact Addresses section). The following is a selection of special events celebrated annually in Cameroon: Jan Mt Cameroon Race. Jan-Feb Eid Al Adha (Festival of Sacrifice). Jan-Mar Tabaski. May Cameroon National Festival. Oct Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). Nov Nso Cultural Week, including horse races through Kumbo. Social Conventions Handshaking is the customary form of greeting. In the north, where the population is largely Muslim, Islamic traditions should be respected. Visitors should never step inside a Muslim prayer circle of rocks. In other rural areas, where traditional beliefs predominate, it is essential to use tact. Photography: Cameras should be used with discretion, particularly in rural areas. Always ask permission before taking a photograph. Do not photograph airports, military establishments, official buildings, or military personnel in uniform. Tipping: The average tip for porters and hotel staff should be about 10 per cent, otherwise service charges are usually inclusive. |