Creativity for climate action and cultural resilience
Cameroon, often called “Africa in miniature” for its diverse landscapes and cultures, is home to a rich artistic tradition — from music and dance to visual arts and crafts. Today, as the country faces mounting environmental challenges such as deforestation, desertification, and plastic waste, Cameroonian artists are turning their creativity into a tool for sustainability and climate action. Through recycled art, eco-fashion, community theatre, and heritage crafts, a new generation of cultural practitioners is showing that art can both protect the planet and empower communities.
Cameroonian culture has always been linked to nature and sustainability:
Woodcarving & sculpture: Ethnic groups such as the Bamileke, Bamoun, and Tikar have long crafted ceremonial masks and sculptures from locally sourced wood, symbolizing harmony with forests and spirits.
Textiles & weaving: Traditional raffia weaving and indigo-dyed fabrics reflect eco-conscious craftsmanship using renewable plant fibers and natural dyes.
Architecture: Vernacular mud and thatch houses, adapted to the Sahel and rainforest zones, showcase sustainable design suited to local climates.
Music & instruments: Many traditional instruments, such as drums and xylophones, are made from natural materials — wood, calabash, skins — linking sound to environment.
These foundations of eco-conscious artistry inspire modern approaches to sustainability in the arts.
In cities like Yaoundé and Douala, artists and youth collectives are transforming plastic bottles, scrap metals, and e-waste into sculptures, furniture, and installations. These works address urban waste problems while inspiring communities to see waste as resource.
Cameroonian designers are promoting slow fashion through recycled fabrics, plant dyes, and traditional textiles. The revival of ndop cloth and raffia weaving in modern fashion highlights identity while fostering eco-conscious production.
Community theatre groups integrate sustainability messages into performances, tackling themes such as deforestation, sustainable farming, and climate resilience. Musicians, too, are creating songs that raise awareness about the environment, mobilizing young audiences through popular genres like Afrobeats and makossa.
Events such as the Sawa Festival in Douala and Yaoundé arts exhibitions feature eco-art installations and workshops on sustainability. Public murals across Douala often depict themes of biodiversity and ocean protection.
Hervé Yamguen – visual artist whose works often address nature, ecology, and urban life, using recycled materials in sculpture and installation.
Kouam Tawa – poet and playwright integrating environmental education into his creative storytelling.
Koko Komegné – painter and cultural activist, promoting social issues including environmental awareness through community arts.
NGO Art for Environment Cameroon – organizes workshops where youth create recycled art as a means of climate education.
Women’s craft cooperatives – particularly in the West and North, producing baskets, mats, and jewelry from local fibers, strengthening both green entrepreneurship and cultural heritage.
While sustainability arts are growing, they face several hurdles:
Infrastructure gaps: Limited recycling facilities and materials management make eco-art practices harder.
Funding limitations: Few grants or cultural policies directly support eco-art initiatives.
Economic pressures: Many artists struggle to balance sustainability with affordability and livelihood.
Environmental threats: Ongoing deforestation and land degradation reduce access to traditional materials like wood and raffia.
The potential for sustainability arts in Cameroon is immense:
Cultural tourism: Eco-art could enhance Cameroon’s cultural tourism, offering green art festivals and exhibitions alongside its natural attractions.
Education: Integrating eco-art into school programs can foster youth-led climate action.
Policy & advocacy: Linking cultural industries with national climate strategies could give artists stronger institutional backing.
Global collaboration: Cameroonian eco-art can join broader African and international networks, amplifying its reach.