Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the towering slopes of Mount Cameroon lies Debunscha , a small fishing village with an extraordina...
Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the towering slopes of Mount Cameroon lies Debunscha, a small fishing village with an extraordinary claim to fame: it rains here almost every single day of the year. Often called the Great Britain of Africa for its famously wet climate, Debundscha ranks as the sixth rainiest place on Earth, with annual rainfall that shapes not only its landscape but also its way of life.
A Village Built Around Rain
Debunscha sits in the Idenau commune of Cameroon’s Southwest Region, a place where rain isn’t just weather—it’s part of the village’s identity. Locals say the rain falls 365 days a year. While there are occasional breaks when the sun peeks through, the skies are usually gray, heavy, and ready to pour.
Even though climate change has reduced rainfall slightly in recent years, the abundance of water continues to sustain the lush forest ecosystem, the fertile soils, and most importantly, the thriving fishing industry that feeds thousands across Cameroon.
Life by the Sea: Fishing as a Way of Life
Fishing is the beating heart of Debundscha. When the rains swell the rivers and push fresh waters into the ocean, schools of fish arrive in abundance. Fishermen like Sylveste, who has been casting his nets for 30 years, see this as a divine gift.
“The fish is a gift from God,” he says, hauling a canoe full of barracuda and carp to shore. “When we go fishing, God decides how much to give us. Today, I am grateful.”
His clients, like Anita, a 39-year-old fish trader, have built their lives around this bounty. Originally from Limbe, she left the city to settle in Debundscha, where business opportunities abound.
“People think moving from the city to the village is a step backward,” she laughs, “but they don’t know the happiness and opportunities here. Selling smoked fish changed my life—I can afford everything I need.”
A kilogram of fish sells for 2,500 CFA francs (about €4), while large catches fetch even higher prices from traders who travel from Limbe, Douala, and Yaoundé. Some buyers even ship orders abroad, with demand coming from Ghana and beyond.
Diving for Treasure Beneath the Waves
Fishing here isn’t just about nets and canoes. Some, like Bartholomew, have spent decades as deep-sea divers, plunging 30 meters underwater to spear massive fish like groupa and coupa. At 51 years old, he still dons his gear, sometimes facing sharks along the way.
“Fortunately, we have the right equipment to protect ourselves,” he explains. But the real challenge, he admits, is not the ocean—it’s the scarcity of fishing gear, which now has to be imported at high costs from Europe.
Despite the challenges, the demand for Debundscha’s fish never stops. Even high-profile clients, including politicians and officials, send people to buy from this rain-soaked village.
Beyond Fishing: Crafts, Farming, and Honey
Not everyone in Debundscha relies solely on fishing. Some, like Gotli, dedicate themselves to crafting canoes by hand, a job that can take weeks of backbreaking labor. He cuts wood from the forest and shapes each canoe by himself, fulfilling custom orders for fishermen.
Others, like Samuel, split their time between farming and beekeeping. On his two hectares, he cultivates plantains, cassava, sugarcane, and vegetables. But elephants often raid his fields, leaving destruction in their wake. To supplement his income, he keeps beehives donated by a local NGO, producing honey for sale.
As Samuel puts it, “Life is hard here, but we find ways to survive. You work hard, God provides.”
Security Challenges in a Troubled Region
Despite its natural beauty, Debundscha lies in Cameroon’s Anglophone Southwest Region, an area marked by political unrest and clashes between separatist fighters and government forces. The village itself is surrounded by army checkpoints—at least five must be passed before entry—making travel tense for outsiders.
James Oja, a community security agent, has been working since 2016 to keep Debundscha safe. “We want peace,” he says firmly. “People come here because of our resources. My job is to make sure no troublemakers disturb our community.”
James also registers newcomers, working closely with the local chief. It’s a tough responsibility, often costing him nights of sleep, but it’s a task he sees as vital for protecting both locals and visitors.
A Walk Into History: The German Lighthouse
Beyond fish and farms, Debundscha holds historical treasures. Deep in the forest, hidden under thick vegetation, stands the Naigal Lighthouse, built by German colonizers in 1904. Perched more than 300 meters above sea level, the climb to the lighthouse is steep, slippery, and shrouded in mist.
Local tradition holds that offerings must be made to the spirits before entering this sacred site. Once at the summit, the view is breathtaking—a rugged coastline stretching endlessly, with the lighthouse beam still guiding ships to Cameroon’s shores, just as it did more than a century ago.
Yet the site carries tragic memories. In 2017, a military boat sank off Debundscha’s coast, killing 34 soldiers. Some locals whisper that the ancestors guard these waters, and that those who disrespect the land risk mysterious disappearances.
Faith and Resilience
For all its challenges, the people of Debundscha find strength in faith. Sundays are reserved for church, where villagers gather to pray for protection and blessings. To them, it is God—not wealth, not luck—that sustains their community and shields them from hardship.
As the rains continue to fall, day after day, Debundscha thrives in its unique rhythm—a village shaped by water, bound by resilience, and blessed with abundance.
Final Thoughts
Debundscha is more than just a place where it rains every day. It’s a community that has learned to adapt, to thrive, and to build an economy around nature’s relentless gift. From fishing to farming, from canoe-making to honey production, the people here embody resilience and ingenuity.
Visiting this hidden gem means braving checkpoints, muddy roads, and endless rain—but it also means experiencing one of the most remarkable corners of Africa, where the rain writes the story of life itself.
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