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Ibrahim Aladji holds in his hands a miniature wooden shell box, this habitat typical of communities in northern Cameroon and Chad. “It is a round house of the Musgum and Kotoko peoples, explains the 40-year-old man. They are mostly made of clay. Today, they are disappearing. “ Armed with a brush that he plunges into a brown shoe polish paste, he coats the room. Then, using a marker, he decorates the tiny door where two keys hang.
Ibrahim is an artisan from the city of Garoua, the regional capital of northern Cameroon. “I try to perpetuate the tradition so that it does not die”, he explains, without looking up. Besides the reproductions of old houses, “I make shoes samara [sandales en peau de mouton], pearl necklaces and bracelets ”.
This Saturday, January 8, time is running out. Garoua welcomes the teams of Group D (Egypt, Nigeria, Sudan and Guinea-Bissau) of the African Cup of Nations (CAN) football. The first match between Egypt and Nigeria is scheduled for Tuesday January 11. At the Garoua Handicraft Center, artisans like Ibrahim rely on visitors to make “Big sales after years of surviving”.
Since 2014, the abuses of the Islamist sect Boko Haram in the neighboring region of the Far North have severely affected tourism in the three northern regions of Cameroon: the North, Adamaoua and the Far North. Attacks by Central African rebel groups in Adamaoua and parts of the north further compounded the difficulties.
“Spectators, tourists, players …”
The sector survived until the eruption, in 2020, of the health crisis. “The Covid-19 came to bury us. Even the few strangers who passed by have disappeared. It was a disaster “, recalls Ibrahim. All that remained was the hope of seeing the CAN arrive. When the tournament was postponed from 2021 to 2022 due to the pandemic, it was “Much worried and prayed”.
But as soon as he was sure that the competition would take place, he invested more than 350,000 CFA francs (more than 530 euros), all his savings, in the purchase of equipment. It quintupled its monthly production of miniature wooden and terracotta boxes, from an average of three to fifteen, and tripled that of beaded bracelets. “There will be spectators, tourists, players, team members… I hope to make a profit thanks to them”, he says.
Ousmanou Tchideme, a trader who has spent nearly a million CFA francs (some 1,500 euros) to get supplies from artisans in surrounding villages, expresses the same fear-tinged hope. “I have stock. All that’s missing is the customers. I hope to sell everything ”, he hopes, pointing to the objects overflowing from his stand.
In this center are exhibited traditional chairs, colored calabashes, masks and musical instruments. According to Garda Boubakary, who represents the twenty-five artisans and art sellers of the place, everyone “At least doubled its productions” for the CAN, especially because tourists buy “Multiple objects, which increases the profit margin. All at the taxed price without asking for a reduction ”.
More than a hundred artisans
“We hope that they will come to appreciate our know-how”, continues this almost octogenarian who presents himself as the “Last manufacturer of sword case in Garoua”. Its clients are mainly traditional chiefdoms. During the matches, the leaders will be out with their notables. Garda therefore hopes to make numbers. “The organization of the CAN also gave us a stand at the stage where we are going to exhibit our creations. Customers can buy on site or come to our center ”, he smiles.
Not far from there, in the regional craft village of Garoua, it’s the same atmosphere. Most of the thirty-five permanent artisans there specialize in textiles: sewing, dyeing, embroidery, weaving. They too have actively prepared for the CAN. Spaces have been set up to accommodate eighty additional craftsmen.
Ousmane Mohaman, the village coordinator, aims in particular “The strong Nigerian community”, the northern region sharing a border with Nigeria. “There will be an impressive number of visitors. It’s an opportunity to do good business ”, he assures.
Mamadou Djingui has been preparing since August 2021. With the help of his employees, he has made more than 300 traditional outfits and bags for men and women, made from local cotton for a total cost of 800,000 CFA francs (around 1 200 euros). He hopes to sell them in order to “To replenish its empty coffers”.
Haouaoua Nene, 55, also put all his savings into his production: 300 liters of shea butter, 40 liters of neem oil and 10 liters of sesame oil. “I have been transforming for over fifteen years. I have never produced so much shea butter. I really hope visitors will buy ”, she emphasizes.
Beyond the CAN, the craftsmen also hope to take advantage of the occasion and the visits of officials to their stands to discuss their difficulties. “It is not enough to finance us. While funding is important to us, hastens to specify Garda Boubakary, president of the craftsmen of the center. Above all, we need to find ways and means so that we can sell our products. “
