The article highlights the profound impact of colonialism in Cameroon through the eyes of supercentenarian Atemafac Anathasia Tanjuh. At about 120 years old, Tanjuh recalls the harsh realities faced by her people under German, British, and French rule. The partitioning of Cameroon and subsequent colonial policies drastically altered social dynamics, severing historical ties and creating a lasting divide, which manifests as ongoing conflicts and strife. Tanjuh's memories serve as a poignant reminder of the deep scars left by colonial history and its enduring effects on contemporary Cameroon.
"We could no longer move from Fontem [which was under British rule] to the market in Dschang [which was under French rule], where I used to go to sell cocoyam and palm kernel," Tanjuh recalled.
"They imposed their rules on us," Tanjuh said, surrounded by one of her five surviving children and some great-grandchildren, her voice laced with both nostalgia and resilience.
"The true weight of imperial rule grew much heavier under the French and British," Tanjuh remarked, reflecting on her community's experience during and after colonialism.
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