In our ongoing exploration of Cameroon's festivals and traditions, we're delighted to share with you the significance of National Day, a celebration that brings together people from all corners of the country. This series is all about discovering the unique cultural heritage of Cameroon, and we're excited to share this important national holiday with you. Sign up to our blog page today to stay up to date.
What is National Day?
Also known as 'La Fête de l'Unité', or 'Unity Day', National Day is an annual and nationwide celebration held on the 20th May to commemorate the unification of East Cameroon (formerly French Cameroun) and West Cameroon (formerly the southern region of the British Cameroons). This took place in 1972 when newly-elected President Ahidjo held a referendum to abolish the federal system of government and create a unitary state.
How is National Day celebrated?
Every year, the people of Cameroon come together to honour the unity of identity and cultural diversity. Like Ngondo and other Cameroonian celebrations, National Day festivities take the form of civilian parades, military marches, traditional dances, music performances and sport events. As well as this, the President of Cameroon delivers a speech in the capital Yaoundé, while other government officials oversee the celebrations in their respective divisions.
Children on National Day
Although National Day is considered a holiday, children all over Cameroon still attend school and celebrate with their fellow classmates. To celebrate, school events include parades through their local area, singing performances and sport events. See the photographs below showing some children taking part in an organised rugby game in a school in West Cameroon.
But for some other young people, National Day has recently become an opportunity to voice political grievances. On the 20th May this year, a group of university students took to the streets of Yaoundé and protested for educational reform, in hope they would capture the attention of the president who made his annual public appearance. Their demands included better infrastructure, improved student services and high-speed internet on university campuses.
From Independence to Unification
Before the referendum, Cameroon operated as a federal republic made up of two states, East and West Cameroon, after each claimed their independence from French and British rule. With French Cameroun gaining independence in 1960, and the British Cameroons in 1961, Cameroon does not have one single day of independence.
See the map below showing how the regions were divided up from 1919 to 1961. It is important to note that after gaining independence in 1961, the British Cameroons split, with the northern region joining the newly independent state of Nigeria, and the southern region becoming the state West Cameroon.
As you can see, the French ruled over a much larger section of Cameroon (blue), attributing greater resources and power to the French-speaking population. By 1960, French Cameroun had become far more developed than the British regions (red) in terms of education, healthcare and infrastructure and francophone politicians dominated the federal government. By 1972, many of those living in the anglophone regions wanted to retain political autonomy but French Cameroun leadership swayed the referendum in favour of a unitary system, to assimilate and centralise the country.
The Separatist Crisis
After the referendum, anglophone Cameroonians became a demographic minority and were increasingly marginalised during the decades that followed. But it was not until 2016 when simmering tensions turned to social instability, laying the path to the separatist civil crisis we observe today.
This began on the 6th October when a group of lawyers and teacher unions protested peacefully against the government's requirement to work in French. However, strikes and riots broke out and violence quickly spread throughout anglophone regions. In 2017, the Anglophone Crisis began. Today, the conflict continues and threatens the livelihoods of thousands.
Sponsor a child
Many of our children have been caught in the crossfire and desperately need your help. With farmlands destroyed and no stable livelihood, many parents cannot afford to provide for their children and around 200,000 are malnourished. But for as little as £20, you can help pay for nutritious food and access to healthcare, as well as school uniform and education fees. Sponsor one of our children today and help change the life and future of their family. You can find more information about sponsorship here. Have any questions? Do not hesitate to contact us at info@childrenofcameroon.co.uk.
German Kamerun
As well as the unification of two states, National Day is also symbolic of the end of colonial rule which began in the late 19th century when Germany made Cameroon a protectorate.
Beforehand, Cameroon was made up of various indigenous civilizations and legal systems that functioned independently from one another. But from 1884 to 1914, Africa was subjected to a European landgrab and almost the entire continent was colonised. This was the era of 'New Imperialism'.
During this period, German forces claimed Cameroon and other neighbouring regions after explorer Gustave Nachtigal arrived on the banks of Douala and annexed the coastal town. Over time, Germany expanded, acquiring small villages one after the other, and negotiated treaties with local leaders to establish their authority.
While the Germans often adopted peaceful methods, many treaties and their subsequent enforcement were settled by force. The indigenous population responded to German rule with both resistance and collaboration. German trade and plantations were established and infrastructure was developed with regards to agriculture, transport and civil administration. After Germany was defeated in WWI, Kamerun was divided up and administered between France and Britain by the League of Nations.
We hope you've enjoyed learning about National Day in Cameroon! If you're interested in discovering more about this incredible country, we invite you to visit our website and subscribe to our blog posts and newsletters. You can also explore the opportunity to sponsor a child from Cameroon and make a difference in their life. We're committed to sharing the stories of Cameroon's children and communities, and we'd love to have you join us on this journey.
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