SC-S29/W5 – Nostalgia Of The Little Me: My Favorite Childhood Place.

Hi guys, accept warm Steem greetings from the motherland of Cameroon, and welcome to my blog, where I'm gonna share my thoughts about the topic challenge titled “Nostalgia Of The Little Me: My Favourite Childhood Place”

Before I go into the write-up proper, permit me to invite @suboohi, @wilmer1988 and @aviral123 to participate in the challenge, if they have not yet done so.

What is your favourite place from childhood?

My favourite childhood place was our family compound (the palace) in the village, a place that felt larger than life and full of mystery. The wide courtyard held the laughter of cousins, the aroma from wood-smoked meals, and the steady rhythm of daily life. It was more than just a home, it was a living symbol of our heritage and identity.

^{In the courtyard of my family compound}

Elders would sit beneath the old trees telling stories of our ancestors, while we children played freely, yet always aware that we were surrounded by tradition. Every corner of the compound seemed to carry a lesson, a warning, or a piece of history waiting to be understood.

^{This section of the palace men do not enter with shoes on.}

Growing up there meant constantly encountering traditional stereotypes and cultural expectations that shaped how boys and girls were meant to behave. Certain chores were assigned based on gender, certain spaces were reserved for elders, and certain questions were sometimes met with silence. As an inquisitive child, I often found myself wondering why things had to be done in a particular way. Why were some traditions unquestionable? Why were roles so clearly defined? Nonetheless, these questions did not make me rebellious, but rather made me curious and thoughtful.

^{Only women pound achu which was a traditional delicacy.}

Today, when I return to the compound, I see how much has changed over the years due to modernisation. The thatched roofs have been replaced with iron sheets, mobile phones have taken the place of evening storytelling, and many of the old customs are no longer strictly observed. While part of me misses the simplicity and deep sense of tradition that once defined the palace, I also recognise the benefits that change has brought.

Where was this place located and why was it special to you?

This special place was located at the Buchi Palace in Santa Sub-Division of the North West region of Cameroon, a village compound rich with history and family heritage. Situated among rolling hills and quiet farmlands, the palace stood as a central point for community life, where traditions were upheld, and generations lived, worked, and celebrated together. Its open courtyard welcomed the laughter of relatives gathering for meals, festivals,and evening conversations.

What made the Buchi Palace so special to me was not just its physical presence, but the memories and deep sense of identity it held. It was where I first learned the rhythms of my culture through storytelling by elders, communal celebrations, and even the everyday rituals that shaped our lives. As a naturally inquisitive child, I was constantly drawn to the old tales, traditional values, and sometimes puzzling customs that filled the palace with life. The palace became my first classroom, where culture, identity, and critical thinking quietly developed side by side.

^{Communal celebrations at the Courtyard.}

Even now, with modernisation changing its appearance and pace, the palace remains a place I return to with fondness, a living reminder of family, belonging, and the roots that first shaped who I have become. Whenever I walk through the yard, I feel connected to my roots. The palace remains my favourite childhood place not just for what it was, but for how it shaped the person I have become.

What kind of activities or memories are connected to this place?

Many activities and memories are connected to the Buchi Palace in Santa Sub-Division, especially those rooted in family life and tradition. I remember lively evenings when elders gathered in the courtyard to tell folktales under the moonlight, teaching us moral lessons through stories of ancestors and village heroes. There were also festive moments traditional dances, cultural ceremonies, and family celebrations where drums echoed across the compound and everyone dressed in colourful traditional regalia known as “atoghu”.

As children, we played running games in the open courtyard, climbed nearby trees, and helped with simple chores like fetching water or gathering firewood, all while laughing and competing with cousins.

Some of my strongest memories are tied to the cultural expectations and stereotypes that shaped daily life there. I recall watching how responsibilities were divided, how respect for elders was strictly observed, and how certain customs were followed without question.

^{Fon performing traditional rites and blessing us using palm wine. We do not drink directly from the cup because only the fin can drink directly from the cup.*}

There were also tender memories like sharing meals prepared over the fireside, listening to family discussions, and feeling a deep sense of belonging. Even today, those activities and experiences remain vivid in my mind, making the palace not just a physical place, but a treasure chest of formative childhood memories.

Who was usually with you there, and which memory from this place is the most precious to you and what deeper meaning does it carry in your life today?

I was usually there with my grandparents, parents, uncles, aunties, and many cousins who filled the compound with constant life and laughter. The elders were the heart of the palace, guiding us with wisdom and quiet authority, while we children formed our own little world of games and shared secrets.

My grandmother’s presence, especially, made the place feel warm and secure as she called us together in the evenings, ensuring everyone was safe before stories began. Being surrounded by extended family gave me a strong sense of belonging and reminded me that I was part of something much bigger than myself.

The most precious memory I carry is sitting in the courtyard at dusk, listening to my grandfather tell stories while the fire crackled softly beside us. In those moments, time seemed to slow down. His stories were not just entertainment, they carried lessons about respect, courage, patience, and identity. It represents the foundation of my values. It reminds me to honour my roots, to question thoughtfully as I always did as a child, and to preserve the wisdom of the past even as the world changes. Whenever I face challenges, I often think back to those evenings in the palace, they continue to guide me with quiet strength.

How does this place still influence your emotions or life today?

The palace still influences my emotions in powerful and quiet ways. Whenever I think about it, I feel a deep sense of warmth, belonging, and gratitude. It reminds me of unconditional family love, shared laughter, and the security of growing up surrounded by people who cared deeply about one another. Even when life feels overwhelming, memories of the courtyard, the evening stories, and the simple rhythm of village life bring me calm and reassurance. The place has become an emotional anchor, something steady and grounding that I carry within me wherever I go.

Beyond emotion, it continues to shape my outlook on life. The traditions, questions, and lessons I encountered there helped develop my curiosity and critical thinking. The cultural values I absorbed, respect, unity, resilience, and responsibility still guide my decisions today.

At the same time, seeing how modernisation has changed the palace teaches me to balance tradition with growth. It reminds me that while the world evolves, our roots remain important. In many ways, the palace is not just a memory of my childhood, it is a foundation that continues to influence who I am becoming.

In conclusion, the Buchi Palace in Santa Sub-Division remains far more than just a childhood home, it remains the heart of my earliest memories and the foundation of my identity. It was within those walls that I first experienced family unity, cultural traditions, and the freedom to question and learn. Though modernisation has transformed its physical appearance, the values, lessons, and emotions tied to that place remain unchanged within me. No matter how far life takes me, that special place in the village will always live in my heart as the source of my roots and the quiet strength that guides my journey.