Cameroon National Day

Cameroon National Day

BOOK HOTELS & FLIGHTS

Book stays for Cameroon National Day

AREA

Check hotel prices

OneSliders may earn a commission if you book through Booking.com.

  1. 1960French Cameroon becomes independent as a republic
  2. 1961Southern Cameroons joins after UN plebiscite
  3. 1972Referendum creates a unitary republic on 20 May

Why Cameroon celebrates 20 May

Cameroon celebrates National Day on 20 May, the anniversary of the 1972 referendum that replaced the federal system with a unitary republic. The date is different from the 1960 independence day of French Cameroon and reflects the country's bilingual and post-colonial complexity.

Cameroon had been divided between French and British administration after World War I. Independence, reunification and the later move to a unitary state all shaped the national story. That makes 20 May a state-unity holiday rather than a simple independence anniversary.

Celebrations include parades, school marches, military displays, speeches and cultural performances, especially in Yaounde. The day presents Cameroon as Africa in miniature, highlighting its regions, languages, football pride, music and food traditions.

  1. 202620 May 2026 · Wednesday
  2. 202720 May 2027 · Thursday
  3. 202820 May 2028 · Saturday
The Cameroonian flag

The Cameroonian flag has vertical green, red and yellow bands with a yellow star in the centre. Green represents the southern forests, yellow the northern savannas, red unity, and the star national unity. The colours are Pan-African and connect Cameroon to the wider independence era.

Cameroonian food is varied and regional, with plantains, cassava, ndole, grilled fish, pepper sauces and rich stews reflecting coastal, forest and Sahel influences.

What to eat

NdoleBitterleaf stew with peanuts, shrimp or meat, often described as a national dish.
Poulet DGChicken cooked with plantains and vegetables, a festive urban restaurant favourite.
Achu soupYellow palm-oil soup served with pounded cocoyam, associated with the Grassfields.
EruLeafy stew with waterleaf, palm oil and meat or fish from the southwest.
Koki beansSteamed black-eyed pea pudding wrapped in leaves and coloured with palm oil.
Grilled fishWhole fish with pepper sauce and plantains, especially popular in Douala.

What to drink

33 ExportPopular Cameroonian lager commonly served at bars and public celebrations.
Palm wineFresh palm sap drink with social and ceremonial roles in many regions.
FolereHibiscus drink served cold and sweet, especially in northern Cameroon.
Explore food & drink events ->

Cameroon culture

Cameroon's culture is unusually diverse, crossing Francophone and Anglophone histories, coastal trade, Grassfields kingdoms, Sahel traditions and major music scenes. National Day tries to stage that variety together.

Yaounde paradeThe capital hosts the main National Day parade with schools, troops and officials.
MakossaUrban dance music from Douala that became one of Cameroon's signature sounds.
Bamileke masksGrassfields royal arts and masquerades are among Cameroon's strongest visual traditions.
Football cultureThe Indomitable Lions give national celebrations a shared sporting language.