Wearing of fabric at funerals gradually sinking into Cameroonian culture

In the past years, black was generally associated to mourning and was worn at funerals across the country to symbolize pain.

Ankara was generally used during weddings and other happy events.

In recent times however, it has become very difficult to witness a funeral without a piece of fabric or “asoebi” with various groups being assigned different types.

“We are just leveling up to the 21st century, it is almost like a tradition now for people to wear fabrics during funeral ceremonies. I think wearing the same fabric gives a sense of uniformity to the ceremony while mourning,” Noella-Merveille, a Yaounde city dweller told this reporter.

During the first meetings where families sit to deliberate on the funeral preparations, the fabric is presented most often by the women in the family.

“When my father passed on, our firstborn who is a girl took the responsibility to take care of the asoebi. It was presented two weeks before the burial so people could start making purchases. Well, I think wearing fabrics during funerals is not a bad idea but we are likely just following the trend,” Tobie Manga explained.

In Yaounde, three different markets are well known for the sale of fabric. According to a seamstress, Nga Cecile, who has experience in the business of sewing funeral material in the Nlongkak neighborhood of Yaounde, the Mokolo market amongst others is well known for the purchase of these fabrics as you can get them there at a cheaper rate.

“With 1500frs / 2000frs you can get fabric at the Mokolo market. The central market is quite expensive. Families who buy them at that price often make more than 100 % profit from it as they can sell them at 4000frs,” she explained.

To some the sale of fabric during funerals is also a way of raising money to give the deceased a befitting burial while others say they really do not care about the money being made from the sales but are rather concerned about a successful funeral ceremony for the deceased.

Wearing of fabrics during funerals has become a trend or tradition which is gradually sinking into the Cameroonian culture.