The Cameroonians of Alsace: An African Diaspora in Europe

ABSTRACT Cameroonian immigration into Alsace differs from previous ones. More skilled and more feminine, it was triggered by a saturation of the need for graduates in the country of origin. Because of their family structures, Cameroonian immigrants were not in radical opposition to the French promotion of the right for women’s economic autonomy. Culturally, this new influx of immigrants shared common religious beliefs and practices with those of the host country, a consequence of the evangelisation movement that began at the end of the 19th century. All of these elements could, at first sight, suggest a smooth integration into French society in the short term. However, faced with a society that perceives them primarily along racial lines, second- generation immigrants may be more sensitive to identity-based slogans.