In Berlin parlance, the “Kameruner” (literally meaning Cameroonian) is a fluffy, fried doughnut developed during the imperial era specifically for the colonial troops stationed in Cameroon; an extension of the German Empire from 1884 to 1919. Others claim the pastries were made at sea and distributed to the Cameroonians as “treats” when the ships arrived. The name could have originated as a reference to the inhabitants of Cameroon because of its dark final glaze.
Similarly to the Kameruner pastry, “Puff-Puff” consists of placing pieces of dough in hot fat and frying them until golden. This African delicacy is eaten pretty much everywhere people of African descent can be
found. However only in Cameroon is it equally enjoyed as a savory side dish - often accompanied with beans and hot sauce.
Les Complices* curator Trinity with the help of her entire family, use this occasion to discuss their own personal historical ties to the German and Swiss Missionary presence in their ancestral Cameroon with photos and documentation, but most importantly, with the delicious snack itself!
