Cameroonian American
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Cameroonian American are an ethnic group of Americans of Cameroonian descent. According to the census of 2010, in the United States there were 16,894 Americans of Cameroonian origin. According to the 2007–2011
American Community Survey The American Community Survey (ACS) is a demographics survey program conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau. It regularly gathers information previously contained only in the long form of the decennial census, such as ancestry, citizenship, educati ...
there are 33,181 Cameroonian-born people living in the United States.


History

The first peoples from the modern Cameroon area to arrive in the United States were enslaved by the British and sold into the British colonies, during the colonial period, as DNA testing suggests.African Americans Reclaim Their Ancestral Heritage in Cameroon
. Wrote by Robert Morrissey.
The first documented "enslaved" African, in what was to become the US, probably originated from modern day Cameroon and was imported into the colonial United States to serve as a slave John Punch. Punch arrived in Virginia in about 1640. He is also considered, by some genealogists and historians, the first African documented to be enslaved for life in what would eventually become the United States.Anastasia Harman, Natalie D. Cottrill, Paul C. Reed, and Joseph Shumway, "Documenting President Barack Obama’s Maternal African-American Ancestry: Tracing His Mother’s Bunch Ancestry to the First Slave in America"
Ancestry.com, 16 July 2012, p. 19.
According to DNA testing records, the ethnicities of the Cameroonian slaves in the modern United States were those of
Tikar The Tikar (also Tikari, Tige, Tigar, Tigre, Tikali) are a central African people who inhabit the Western High Plateau in Cameroon. They are known as great artisans and storytellers. Once a nomadic people, some oral traditions trace the origin of ...
, Ewondo, Babungo,
Bamileke The Bamileke are a Central African people who inhabit the Western High Plateau of Cameroon. Languages The Bamileke languages belong to the Grassfields branch of the Niger-Congo language family, which is sometimes labeled as a " Bantuoid lang ...
,
Bamum Bamum, also spelled Bamoum, Bamun, or Bamoun, may refer to: *The Bamum people *The Bamum kingdom *The Bamum language *The Bamum script ** Bamum (Unicode block) * Bamum Scripts and Archives Project {{Disambig Language and nationality disambiguation ...
, Masa, Mafa, Udemes, Kotoko, Fulani and Hausa from Cameroon; however, many Hausa also came from other places, such as Nigeria). In what is referred to as "the whole of the
Americas The Americas, which are sometimes collectively called America, are a landmass comprising the totality of North and South America. The Americas make up most of the land in Earth's Western Hemisphere and comprise the New World. Along with th ...
", we find that the majority of captured Africans, sold to the European slave merchants on the Cameroon coast, came from inland places; where they were captured by other ethnic groups, through the invasions of these zones, and sold to the Europeans. They came from the Batagan, Bassa, and Bulu peoples. So, most of the slaves carried from
Bimbia Bimbia was an independent state of the Isubu people of Cameroon. In 1884, it was annexed by the Germans and incorporated in the colony of Kamerun. It lies in Southwest Region, to the south of Mount Cameroon and to the west of the Wouri estuary ...
in those years, were from Tikari, Douala-Bimbia,African Americans travel to Cameroon to discover their origins
Posted by Sam Mbale on 7 Jan 2011 06:14.
Banyangi and Bakossi. Most of them were Bamileke (who accounted for 62 percent of the people). Douala was the main location of the trade in slaves, but most of the slaves of modern Cameroon who were delivered to Europeans, regardless of their specific origin, were sold to the
Fernando Po Fernando Po may refer to: *Fernando Po (island) in Equatorial Guinea, now called ''Bioko'' *Fernão do Pó, Portuguese explorer *Fernando Pó, village in Palmela, Portugal * Fernando Pó halt, railway halt in Palmela, Portugal Portugal, offic ...
slave trade center, and from there the European merchants took them to the Americas. Most of the slaves regarded as Cameroonian were from the
Bight of Biafra The Bight of Biafra (known as the Bight of Bonny in Nigeria) is a bight off the West African coast, in the easternmost part of the Gulf of Guinea. Geography The Bight of Biafra, or Mafra (named after the town Mafra in southern Portugal), between ...
, which included the countries of Nigeria (eastern coast), Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea (Bioko Island and Rio Muni), and Gabon (northern coast) "with many of them hailing from the Cameroon itself". These African "captures" arrived in what would be the United States and were sold in Virginia, which had 60% of the slaves of the eastern region of the future United States. 34% of the Africans arriving in Virginia came from the Bight of Biafra. Virginia and surrounding colonies held 30,000 slaves hailing from the Bight. Normally, the slaves from Cameroon were bought cheap, because they preferred to die rather than accept slavery.Histoire du Cameroun: aux origines...
(History of Cameroon. The origins...)
However, many captured Cameroonians were sold up the river to areas like Sierra Leona and Angola, where they were forcibly shipped to the United States. The first Cameroonians who voluntarily arrived in the US immigrated to this country in the 1960s, pursuing educational opportunities which were lacking in their own country. During the 1990s many other Cameroonians immigrated as political refugees, fleeing political turmoil. To avoid imprisonment, torture and political repression, many citizens decided to emigrate. Most Cameroonian immigrants who arrived in the United States were licensed professionals since they were the ones most likely to obtain visas. It is easier for licensed professionals to obtain visas than any other group in Cameroon. Many of them had criticized the government, making them more vulnerable to political repression. Thus, the majority of Cameroonians who settled permanently in the United States were doctors, engineers, nurses, pharmacists, and computer programmers. There are also many Cameroonians who are blue collar workers.Encyclopedia of Chicago: Cameroonian
by Robert Morrissey.


Demography

According to the census of 2010, in the United States there 16,894 known Americans of Cameroonian origin. In addition, according to the 2007–2011
American Community Survey The American Community Survey (ACS) is a demographics survey program conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau. It regularly gathers information previously contained only in the long form of the decennial census, such as ancestry, citizenship, educati ...
there are 33,181 Cameroonian-born living in the United States. The Cameroonian immigrants have communities in places such as Ohio, New York City, San Diego, Illinois, Houston (Texas) and Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania). The Cameroonian community of Pittsburgh is considered to be one of the better organized African communities in the city. The largest Cameroonian-American community exists in Maryland, particularly in Prince George's County and
Montgomery County Montgomery County may refer to: Australia * The former name of Montgomery Land District, Tasmania United Kingdom * The historic county of Montgomeryshire, Wales, also called County of Montgomery United States * Montgomery County, Alabama * Mon ...
. According to 2015–2019 estimates from the
American Community Survey The American Community Survey (ACS) is a demographics survey program conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau. It regularly gathers information previously contained only in the long form of the decennial census, such as ancestry, citizenship, educati ...
via the
Migration Policy Institute The Migration Policy Institute (MPI) is a non-partisan think tank established in 2001 by Kathleen Newland and Demetrios G. Papademetriou. The Migration Policy Institute is supportive of Liberalism, liberal immigration policies. About The Migrati ...
website, the total number of Cameroonian immigrants in the USA is 60,100. The top counties of settlement for which more than 1,000 are present were as follows: 1) Prince George's County, MD --------------- 8,600 2)
Montgomery County, MD Montgomery County is the most populous county in the state of Maryland. As of the 2020 census, the county's population was 1,062,061, increasing by 9.3% from 2010. The county seat and largest municipality is Rockville, although the census-design ...
------------------- 5,400 3)
Harris County, TX Harris County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas; as of the 2020 census, the population was 4,731,145, making it the most populous county in Texas and the third most populous county in the United States. Its county seat is Houston, ...
------------------------------- 3,300 4)
Franklin County, OH Franklin County is a County (United States), county in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the population was 1,323,807, making it the most populous county in Ohio. Most of its land area is taken up by its ...
----------------------------- 1,800 5)
Los Angeles County, CA Los Angeles County, officially the County of Los Angeles, and sometimes abbreviated as L.A. County, is the most populous county in the United States and in the U.S. state of California, with 9,861,224 residents estimated as of 2022. It is the ...
--------------------- 1,700 6)
Dallas County, TX Dallas County is the second-most populous county in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 U.S. census, the population was 2,613,539, making it the ninth-most populous county in the country. Dallas County is included in the Dallas-Arlington- ...
------------------------------- 1,500 7)
Tarrant County, TX Tarrant County is located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of 2020 United States census, 2020, it had a population of 2,110,640. It is Texas' third-most populous county and the List of the most populous counties in the United States, 15th-most pop ...
--------------------------- 1,100 8)
Collin County, TX Collin County is located in the U.S. state of Texas. It is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth- Arlington metropolitan statistical area, and a small portion of the city of Dallas is in the county. At the 2020 United States census, the county's popula ...
-------------------------------- 1,100 9)
Baltimore County, MD Baltimore County ( , locally: or ) is the third-most populous county in the U.S. state of Maryland and is part of the Baltimore metropolitan area. Baltimore County (which partially surrounds, though does not include, the independent City of ...
------------------------ 1,100


Activism

Cameroonians have been active in activism movements in the United States. One notable example is the set of political movements in favor of Cameroon, developed in Chicago. So, in 1991, Cameroonians from that city were held in outside wing of the Social Democratic Front from Cameroon in support for political pluralism. After his success in Chicago, the SDF party eventually established several subsidiaries in other US cities. The group managed to raise funds to support the political movement of Cameroon, and lobbied the US Senate and United Nations and stops the advance of the sale of weapons to the government of Cameroon, i.e. to prevent that the sale of arms can continue exerting between this government and the US government. Soon after, another group of Cameroonians of Chicago, mainly francophone, organized a wing of the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement, driving his own campaign to support the government of Cameroon.


Organizations

There are many Cameroonian organizations in the US. Among these is the American Association of Cameroonians (Amacam). It promotes friendship between the Cameroonians and develop of appropriate measures to improve their rights, developing the potential of Cameroonians in US and in Cameroon in all areas of the economic, cultural, social, academic, or help to the US. Another organization is CAMSOLA, an organization, located in Southern California, which recognizes those Cameroonians and Cameroonian-American individuals, groups or businesses that have influenced in the Cameroonian immigrant community and the general populace in Southern California. The organization teaches aspects of life in Cameroon and connects Cameroonian-Americans living in California with Cameroon. Furthermore, CAMSOLA premiered in 2011 the Scholarship Fund Youth Development and Youth Leadership Club in Los Angeles. While most of the organization's members are native Cameroonians, the club has also tried to assist African Americans who trace some of their origins to Cameroon.African-American who traced ancestry to Cameroon to be honored by L.A.’s Cameroonian community
Cameroon Group USA (CAMGUSA) is an organization form by members of the various cultural groups in Los Angeles. The association tries, among other things, relate and encourage respect among all Cameroonians living in the metropolitan area of Los Angeles and California, teaches them to respect the laws of the State and the United States of America, helps individuals and families need, helps communities, government agencies, social groups and various associations in the United States and other countries, working with them to improve the lives of Cameroon in particular and humanity in general and participate in charitable activities of other organizations. The organization Cameroon American Community of Houston (CAMCOH), established in
Houston, Texas Houston (; ) is the most populous city in Texas, the most populous city in the Southern United States, the fourth-most populous city in the United States, and the sixth-most populous city in North America, with a population of 2,304,580 in ...
, have as goal, among other things, encourages the creation of Sustainable Networks and Communication among the Cameroonians in the city, propels to Cameroonian immigrants to emigrate in Houston by the Guidance and Council, empowers youth through Programs for Children and Youth Educational Activities, defends the needs of Cameroonians in Houston and creates and manages the Community Center.Cameroon American Community of Houston (CAMCOH) Celebrates its 3rd Annual Thanksgiving and Cultural Festival
Posted By Ata Nchomba in November 12, 2012.
The Association of Cameroonians, founded in Illinois, is an association aimed to help and lend assistance to Cameroonians in the state, regardless of their political leanings. Moreover, the association also represents the Cameroonians in the government of Chicago, the largest city in the state. The community also commemorates annual celebrations, including Cameroonian Independence Day, celebrated on May 20. The Cameroonian Community in Pittsburgh (CCP) teaches and promotes the culture, customs and values of Cameroon, especially for non-Cameroonians. It does this through solidarity and tradition. The organization also promotes educational opportunities, employment, business and training for Cameroonians.


Notable people

* Anthony Anderson, American actor, comedian, writer, and game show host * Erykah Badu, American singer-songwriter, record producer and actress * Don Cheadle, American actor, author, director, producer and writer * Ebro Darden, American media executive and radio personality *
Taraji P. Henson Taraji Penda Henson ( ; born September 11, 1970) is an American actress. She studied acting at Howard University and began her Hollywood career in guest roles on several television shows before making her breakthrough in '' Baby Boy'' (2001). Sh ...
, American actress and art collector * Quincy Jones, American music producer * Spike Lee, American film director, producer, screenwriter, actor, and professor *
Flying Lotus Steven Ellison (born October 7, 1983), known by his stage name Flying Lotus or sometimes FlyLo, is an American record producer, Disc jockey, DJ, filmmaker and rapper from Los Angeles. He is also the founder of the record label Brainfeeder. Flyi ...
, American hip hop producer * Imbolo Mbue, Cameroonian-born American novelist and short-story writer *
Patrice Nganang Alain Patrice Nganang (born 1970) is an American writer, poet and teacher of Cameroonian origin, a member of the Bamileke people. He was born in Yaoundé, Cameroon, and was educated in Cameroon and Germany. He was awarded a Ph.D. in comparative l ...
, Cameroonian-born American writer, poet and teacher * Papoose, American rapper * Sheryl Lee Ralph, American actress, singer, author, and activist *
Condoleezza Rice Condoleezza Rice ( ; born November 14, 1954) is an American diplomat and political scientist who is the current director of the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. A member of the Republican Party, she previously served as the 66th Uni ...
, American diplomat, political scientist, civil servant, and professor who served as the 66th United States Secretary of State * Sinbad, American stand-up comedian and actor *
Tasha Smith Tasha Smith (born February 28, 1971) is an American actress, director and producer. She began her career in a starring role on the NBC comedy series ''Boston Common'' (1996–97), and she later appeared in numerous movies and television series. ...
, American actress, director and producer *
Wanda Sykes Wanda Yvette Sykes (born March 7, 1964) is an American stand-up comedian, actress, and writer. She was first recognized for her work as a writer on ''The Chris Rock Show'', for which she won a Primetime Emmy Award in 1999. In 2004, ''Entertainm ...
, American stand-up comedian, actress, and writer *
Blair Underwood Blair Erwin Underwood (born August 25, 1964) is an American actor. He made his debut in the 1985 musical film ''Krush Groove'' and from 1987 to 1994 starred as attorney Jonathan Rollins in the NBC legal drama series ''L.A. Law''. Underwood has a ...
, American actor * Jessica Williams, American actress and comedian * Vanessa A Williams, American actress and producer *
Oprah Winfrey Oprah Gail Winfrey (; born Orpah Gail Winfrey; January 29, 1954), or simply Oprah, is an American talk show host, television producer, actress, author, and philanthropist. She is best known for her talk show, ''The Oprah Winfrey Show'', br ...
, American talk show host, television producer, actress, author, and media proprietor


See also

*
Cameroon–United States relations Cameroon–United States relations are international relations between Cameroon and the United States. History Before independence A U.S. presence in Cameroon predated the independence of French Cameroon in 1960. Since the nineteenth centur ...


References


External links


Global bush tratour: Cameroon slave trade route

CAMEROON COMPANY: Cameroon: Slavery and its survivals in the Grassfields region
(translated from the French)

posted by Francis B. Nyamnjoh * ttps://archive.today/20130629200632/http://thecappsa.org/capsa_cameroon.html CAPSA FOR CAMEROON – CAPPSA (Cameroonian Association of Pharmaceutical in America)
The Young Cameroonian of Illinois

Cameroon Professional Society
{{Demographics of the United States Cameroonian diaspora Central Africans in the United States