Duala people

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The '''Duala''' (or '''[[:fr:Sawa (peuple)|Sawa]]''') are a [[Bantu peoples|Bantu]] [[ethnic group]] of [[Cameroon]]. They primarily inhabit the littoral and southwest region of Cameroon and form a portion of the [[Sawabantu languages|Sawabantu]] or "coastal people" of Cameroon. The Dualas readily welcomed German and French colonial policies. The number of German-speaking Africans increased in central African German colonies prior to 1914. The Duala leadership in 1884 placed the tribe under German rule. Most converted to Protestantism and were schooled along German lines. Colonial officials and businessmen preferred them as inexpensive clerks to German government offices and firms in Africa.Jonathan Derrick, "The 'Germanophone' Elite of Douala under the French Mandate." ''Journal of African History'' (1980): 255-267 [https://www.jstor.org/stable/182138 online]. They have historically played a highly influential role in Cameroon due to their long contact with Europeans, high rate of education, and wealth gained over centuries as slave traders and landowners.

The '''Duala''' (or '''[[:fr:Sawa (peuple)|Sawa]]''') are a [[Bantu peoples|Bantu]] [[ethnic group]] of [[Cameroon]]. They primarily inhabit the littoral and southwest region of Cameroon and form a portion of the [[Sawabantu languages|Sawabantu]] or "coastal people" of Cameroon. The Dualas readily welcomed German and French colonial policies. The number of German-speaking Africans increased in central African German colonies prior to 1914. The Duala leadership in 1884 placed the tribe under [[German Kamerun|German rule]]. Most converted to [[Protestantism]] and were schooled along German lines. Colonial officials and businessmen preferred them as inexpensive clerks to German government offices and firms in Africa.Jonathan Derrick, "The 'Germanophone' Elite of Douala under the French Mandate." ''Journal of African History'' (1980): 255-267 [https://www.jstor.org/stable/182138 online]. They have historically played a highly influential role in Cameroon due to their long contact with Europeans, high rate of education, and wealth gained over centuries as slave traders and landowners.

[[File:Danse sawa8.jpg|thumb|Sawa Dance Group]]

[[File:Danse sawa8.jpg|thumb|Sawa Dance Group]]

The Duala are related to several ethnic groups (or [[tribe]]s) in the Cameroon Coastal areas, with whom they share a common traditional origin, and similar histories and cultures. These include the Ewodi, the Bodiman, the Pongo, the [[Bakole people|Bakole]], the [[Bakweri]] (or Kwe), the [[Bamboko]], the [[Isubu]] (Isuwu or Bimbians), the [[Limba people (Cameroon)|Limba]] (or Malimba), the [[Mungo people|Mungo]], the [[Wovea]] and [[Oroko language|Oroko]], they are generally known as the [[:fr:Sawa (peuple)|SAWA PEOPLE]].

The Duala are related to several ethnic groups (or [[tribe]]s) in the Cameroon Coastal areas, with whom they share a common traditional origin, and similar histories and cultures. These include the Ewodi, the Bodiman, the Pongo, the [[Bakole people|Bakole]], the [[Bakweri]] (or Kwe), the [[Bamboko]], the [[Isubu]] (Isuwu or Bimbians), the [[Limba people (Cameroon)|Limba]] (or Malimba), the [[Mungo people|Mungo]], the [[Wovea]] and [[Oroko language|Oroko]], they are generally known as the [[:fr:Sawa (peuple)|SAWA PEOPLE]].