Traditional attire day passes unnoticed

Cameroon is noted for its numerous public holidays which sometimes stretch for two working days, but nothing was done to celebrate the international traditional attire day on 16 July. The only sign of the day was a brief mention in a couple of radio stations.

The disregard for the traditional attire day reflects the apparent dislike of traditional attire in government circles. Apart from members of government from the North (communication minister Issa Tchirouma Bakary), others are hardly seen in a traditional outfit. Even those who are traditional rulers seldom wear them. One may feel that this is so because they are not formal attire in Cameroon, but this is not the case.


Some people blame globalization for this trend, but traditional African country is instead influencing Western designs of late (see flairs, embroidery, high shoulder pads). Even the Roman Catholic Church permits traditional regalia since the Vatican II council of the seventies.

The best way to fight indecent dressing in Cameroon is to promote traditional attire, since revealing garments are believed to be from the west. Cameroon has more than 200 tribes which have decent, beautiful attires unique to them and showcasing these attire cannot be difficult.


The government has created a full ministry for culture, and it is surprising why it did not organize an event on this day (may be their budget should be increased). The minister of tourism should have equally seized this opportunity to sell the culture of the nation to potential tourists.