The “Cam Diary” or the “Calabar/Arochukwu Marginalization Diary” is a record of the experiences of young men from the Cameroons who were forced to work as labourers on British colonial construction projects in Nigeria in the 1950s and 1960s.
This post talks about the Cam Diary that was written by a Cameroonian worker named Bernard Nsokika Fonlon who kept notes on his experiences and those of his fellow workers who worked under a very harsh working conditions and racial discrimination in Nigeria as well as their struggles for better wages and working conditions.
Fonlon’s diary was eventually published as a book in 1964 under the title “The Cameroonian Diary” or “The Cam Diary.” The book documented the harsh working conditions and racial discrimination faced by Cameroonian labourers in Nigeria, as well as their struggles for better wages and working conditions.
The Cam Diary played an important role in raising awareness about the plight of Cameroonian workers in Nigeria and helped to mobilize support for their cause. It also contributed to the larger struggle for African independence and self-determination.
Today, the Cam Diary is considered a classic work of African literature and an important historical document of the struggle against colonialism and racism in Africa. It remains a symbol of the resilience and determination of African workers and their struggle for dignity and justice.
How Has Cam Diary Fared In The Emancipation Of The Oppressed In Nigeria And The Entire Africa?
The Cam Diary played a significant role in raising awareness about the plight of Cameroonian workers in Nigeria and the broader struggle against colonialism and racism in Africa.
It was one of the earliest accounts of the harsh working conditions and discrimination faced by African workers in the colonial period and helped to expose the injustices of the colonial system.
The publication of the Cam Diary inspired other writers and activists to speak out against colonial oppression and contributed to the larger struggle for African independence and self-determination. It also helped to mobilize support for the Cameroonian workers’ cause and contributed to the broader labor and human rights movements in Nigeria and across Africa.
In summary, the Cam Diary remains an important historical document and a symbol of the resilience and determination of African workers in their struggle for dignity and justice. It has inspired generations of activists, writers and scholars to continue the fight for social justice and human rights in Africa and beyond.