In Cameroon, the Superior Council of Traditional Chiefs of the Bassa’a region has made a radical decision: to ban "Sunday Taro" throughout their territories. The announcement was made on May 4, 2026, in Eséka. This measure aims to counter what the customary authorities consider a growing threat to local culinary traditions.
According to a circular note from Mbog Liaa, the governing body of the Bassa’a people, the popularity of "Sunday Taro" contributes to the erosion of ancestral practices. Traditional chiefs are concerned about seeing people turn away from the culinary habits that form the foundation of their cultural identity.
In response, the Superior Council of Bassa’a Chiefs strongly encourages families, restaurants, and associations to rediscover and favor traditional dishes such as "Sunday Bongo’o" or "Sunday Ikok". These dishes are seen as more authentic symbols of the Bassa’a cultural heritage, and their promotion is part of an approach to enhance local practices.
Traditional chiefs do not intend to let this ban remain a dead letter. They have clearly warned that customary sanctions will be applied if this decision is not respected. The councils of elders will be responsible for defining the terms of these sanctions and ensuring the effective implementation of the ban in the various territories concerned.
This initiative by the Bassa’a traditional chiefs underscores the importance they place on preserving their cultural heritage in the face of external influences. It remains to be seen how this ban will be received and implemented in Bassa’a communities, and whether it will encourage a lasting return to ancestral culinary traditions. Time will tell if this bold measure will bear fruit in safeguarding the Bassa’a cultural identity.
