Local Context

A Glimpse of Local Reality

The city of Dschang, whose name is often interpreted as meaning “problems” or “discord,” is one of the earliest colonial towns in Cameroon. Prior to colonization, it functioned as a meeting point for artists and artisans from surrounding villages who gathered to sell their creations, exchange techniques, and disseminate their art.

Beyond the common interpretation, the name Dschang derives from ce■, which means both prison and womb. Though this etymology is not widely known, it reflects a deeper truth. In African cultures, names reveal essence.

Dschang is thus a space of transformation: one may grow and evolve there, or become trapped. This duality is not symbolic alone—it is a lived reality for many who settle in the city.