Briqueterie

Updated April 15, 2024

BRIQUETERIE ET SES VOISINS – PRISE DE VUE AÉRIENNE DES QUARTIERS LES …

## Briqueterie, Yaoundé: Historic Heart of a Multicultural Muslim Quarter

Briqueterie – administratively known as Ekoudou – is one of the oldest and most historically significant neighborhoods in Yaoundé, the political capital of Cameroon. It sits in the north-west of the city within the commune of Yaoundé II and covers about 71 hectares.

The area is widely recognized for its predominantly Muslim population, with strong roots in Hausa communities, alongside Kanouri, Bamoun, Bamileke, Fulani and Ewondo residents. This mix of communities has shaped Briqueterie into a dense, trade-oriented neighborhood that plays an important cultural and religious role in Yaoundé.

> Data note: Most of the detailed historical and administrative information currently available comes from academic and official sources published between the 1980s and 2016; boundaries and demographic details may have evolved since then.

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## Where Is Briqueterie in Yaoundé?

Briqueterie lies in Yaoundé II, in the city’s north-western zone. It is bordered:

– To the north: by Tsinga
– To the south: by the Abyedaga River, which forms the boundary with the Messa neighborhood
– To the east and north-east: by the Eko Zog River

The quarter includes a single hill, around 764 meters high, where the Central Mosque of Yaoundé stands – a landmark that dominates the local skyline.

From a visitor perspective, this means:

– Briqueterie is relatively close to central Yaoundé, but
– It transitions quickly from major paved arteries to narrow, informal streets typical of many African capitals’ inner districts.

Yaoundé’s main urban transport modes are shared yellow taxis and moto-taxis, which are widely used across the city. Moto-taxis in particular serve neighborhoods with narrow or damaged roads, a category that includes areas like Briqueterie where many internal streets remain unpaved.

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## How Briqueterie Got Its Name: From Brickworks to City Quarter

Briqueterie’s story is closely tied to Yaoundé’s colonial history.

### Origins as Ekoudou and the Brick Factory

Historically, the area was known under several Ewondo names – including Ekudu/Ekoudou, Meban, Ekozog and Elig Fuda Mekengo – long before formal urbanization.

During the German colonial period in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, an industrial brickworks was established here, producing fired clay bricks and tiles. The Ewondo expressions Ebé Birig and Birig Asi, referring to a brick-manufacturing site, gradually evolved into the French “Briqueterie” (brickworks).

The factory reportedly produced around 600 clay bricks per day, helping supply early construction in Yaoundé. The name stuck even after industrial production faded, and today “La Briqueterie” refers to the entire urban neighborhood rather than a specific plant.

### 1936: Installation of the Hausa Community

In 1936, under French colonial urban planning policies, a large Hausa Muslim community was relocated to this quarter after being moved from another part of the city.

This relocation sparked a long legal dispute between:

– Hausa representatives (notably Malam Ibrahim and Alhadji Koramou) and
– Local Ewondo authorities, who also claimed rights to the area.

A decision handed down on 24 March 1959 ultimately confirmed the Hausa community’s right to remain in Briqueterie. From that point, the neighborhood’s Muslim and Hausa identity became deeply institutionalized.

### 1993: Recognition of a Traditional Chiefdom

In 1993, the Cameroonian Ministry of Territorial Administration officially recognized a Hausa chefferie (traditional chiefdom) in Ekoudou/Briqueterie as a second-degree chiefdom, meaning it covers at least two third-degree chiefdoms within the arrondissement.

This step formalized local leadership structures that had existed informally for decades and reinforced Briqueterie’s role as a political and cultural center for Hausa communities in Yaoundé.

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## Urban Fabric: One of Yaoundé’s Densest Neighborhoods

Research on Briqueterie’s spatial layout describes:

– Very high housing density, with roofs almost touching in places
– Only a few paved roads (three major tarred axes mentioned in fieldwork)
– A network of narrow alleyways and courtyards, where moving from one dwelling to another often requires passing through shared concessions

This courtyard housing pattern encourages constant social interaction – supportive and conflictual – and also makes conventional car traffic difficult.

A local registry entry for just one sub-division, Briqueterie Est III, reports a population of 5,534 residents (2,738 men and 2,796 women). Given that this figure only covers a fraction of the neighborhood and the data’s reference year isn’t clearly stated, the current total population of the whole Briqueterie quarter is almost certainly higher and should be treated as approximate.

> Outdated-data warning: Population figures come from administrative listings that may pre-date recent growth and internal migration. Treat them as indicative, not exact.

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## Mosques and Religious Landmarks

Briqueterie holds two of Yaoundé’s most important mosques.

### Mosquée du Milieu – Yaoundé’s First Mosque

– Built in 1936, the “mosquée du milieu” (middle mosque) is reported as the first mosque in Yaoundé.
– It was constructed opposite the first local chief’s palace at the same time the Hausa community was formally settled in the quarter.

The building was renovated in the early 2000s, giving it its current appearance while preserving its historical role as a community anchor.

### Central Mosque of Yaoundé on Briqueterie’s Hill

The Central Mosque of Yaoundé stands on Briqueterie’s lone hill and has become a major landmark for the entire city:

– Original construction: between 1952 and 1955, designed by French architect J.M. Bucaille – it was the second mosque built in Briqueterie.
– Funding at the time: about 50% from the Muslim community, 30% from the urban community, and 20% from the colonial administration.
– Reconstruction: the original building was demolished in 2007; a new, larger mosque was built with significant support from a local Hausa businessman (Alhadji Garba Nabara), the Cameroonian state, and the Turkish government.
– Inauguration: 20 November 2015 by the prime minister, representing the president of the republic.
– Today: prayers are led by a double college of imams – one group for daily prayers, another for Friday and festival prayers.

For visitors interested in Islamic heritage, these two mosques make Briqueterie a key stop within any broader Yaoundé city itinerary.

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## Markets and Street Food: Soya, Spices and Nighttime Activity

### The Central Market of Briqueterie

Local commentators describe the central market of Briqueterie as one of the neighborhood’s emblematic places, with stalls offering fresh produce, spices and daily necessities.

This aligns with the quarter’s long-standing reputation as a commercial hub that serves not just local residents but also traders and customers from across Yaoundé.

### “Street Meat Paradise” and the Culture of Soya

Multiple independent sources highlight Briqueterie as a major destination for grilled meat (soya) and butchery:

– A local press piece refers to Briqueterie as a center of meat trade and butchery, where butchers adapt to demand from soya vendors.
– A Flickr photo caption speaks of the “ministère du soya” – an informal nickname for a cluster of soya stands.
– A travel video recorded in the streets of Yaoundé describes the Briqueterie area as a “street meat paradise”, mentioning skewers priced around 50 CFA francs each at the time of filming.

> Price warning: The 50-CFA figure comes from a video published about two years ago; food prices in Cameroon are sensitive to inflation and supply changes, so current prices may be higher.

For a broader context on Cameroonian food culture, you could cross-reference this neighborhood focus with a general guide like a street-food overview for Central Africa or a full Yaoundé travel guide (internal link suggestion).

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## Getting In and Around: Transport and Practical Considerations

### Transport Modes

Studies and official summaries of Yaoundé’s mobility system agree that:

– Shared taxis (yellow cars operating on semi-fixed routes) are the most widely used mode of urban transport.
– Moto-taxis are also extensively used, especially in neighborhoods with unpaved or narrow streets, thanks to their ability to weave through congestion and reach areas that standard taxis struggle to access.

A 2025 academic study estimates that tens of thousands of moto-taxis operate in Yaoundé, making them a crucial – if risky – part of daily mobility.

### Safety Notes (Based on Current Research)

– Moto-taxis are identified as a high-risk mode in terms of road accidents in both Yaoundé and Douala.
– Urban planning documents highlight challenges with road conditions and the need for better regulation of moto-taxi services.

If you choose to reach or move around Briqueterie using moto-taxis or shared taxis, current research supports a few practical recommendations:

– Prefer drivers who appear to follow traffic rules and avoid overloading.
– Expect to negotiate fares before the ride, which is standard practice in Yaoundé’s shared taxi system.

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## Visiting Respectfully

Given Briqueterie’s role as a major Muslim neighborhood with historically significant mosques, a few basic etiquette points are advisable:

– Dress modestly, especially when visiting or photographing near mosques or religious gatherings.
– Ask permission before photographing individuals, prayer spaces, or inside shops and food stalls; this aligns with common practice in many West and Central African urban communities.
– Be mindful that prayer times, especially Fridays and religious holidays, may bring increased foot traffic around mosques and markets.

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Key Highlights

• Historic neighborhood feel with narrow streets and traditional housing
• Strong Hausa and Muslim cultural presence, including notable mosques
• Local markets selling food, textiles and everyday goods
• Administrative/chefferie (traditional leadership) sites reflecting local governance
• Photogenic street life and authentic opportunities to interact with residents

Location

Places to Stay Near Briqueterie

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