From Congossa to Discrete Communication in Cameroon

Telephone Operators in the 20th century

Before WhatsApp, before speed dial, if you wanted to make a phone call in Cameroon, you had to go through an operator—a real human being, sitting there with a headset and plenty of attitude. Let me tell you, making a call back then was no small thing. It was an event, almost like drama for radio!

How the Old-Time Switchboards Worked

Imagine it’s 1965 in Douala, and you want to call your uncle in Yaoundé. You pick up the big black rotary phone, crank it a few times (like starting an old generator), and wait. Soon, you hear a voice, “Hello! Na who you wan talk to?” That’s the operator. She’s like the gatekeeper of all the phone calls in town.

You give her the number, or just describe your uncle’s house if you no sabi the number. She’s sitting in front of a big board full of wires. With one sharp move, she plugs your line into the right hole, and boom, you’re connected—if she likes you, that is. If she no like you, my brother, you go wait tire!

The Operators: Cameroon’s Original Gossips

These operators, mostly women, had power o! They knew everybody’s business. If you’re calling to gossip, just know that she’s listening, and she’ll probably share the gist with the next person that calls. These women were sharp, quick, and had memories like elephants. But woe unto you if you were rude to them—your call might get “lost” somewhere between Bonaberi and Bamenda!

They also had their own way of deciding who to connect first. Maybe Mami Njie is calling her daughter in Buea about the market price of plantains, and right after, someone wants to speak to their doctor. Well, if the operator is in the mood, she’ll decide who gets through first. And trust me, sometimes it’s Mami Njie’s plantains that win.

The End of the Operator Era

By the time the 70s rolled around, new technology started creeping in. Automated systems came and pushed our dear operators to the side. Now, people could just dial a number and get connected without any drama. Sure, it was faster and easier, but where’s the fun in that?

Gone were the days of operators plugging wires and gossiping on the side. But let’s be real—Cameroon lost a little something when the switchboards went away. That personal touch, that unpredictability—who’s gonna miss that?

Conclusion

So next time you’re calling your friend in Yaoundé with just a tap on your smartphone, remember the operators who made it all happen back in the day. They were the queens of communication, running the show with their switchboards, attitude, and a good bit of pidgin. No be small thing o!