Djouldé Soumaé
Friday, March 20, 2026
In Cameroon, as in some other sub-Saharan African nations, Eid el Fitr is commonly referred to as “Djouldé Soumaé”. Only around 18 percent of Cameroon’s people are Muslim, but Eid al-Fitr is a public holiday nonetheless, along with Christian and patriotic national holidays. In 2027, Djouldé Soumaé falls on Tuesday 9 March. The holiday will be on Saturday 26 February in 2028. On Eid, Muslims of Cameroon will rise early in the morning to attend public prayers at a local mosque. They will likely hear a sermon that mentions how this first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal is when Muhammad received the first verses of the Quran. After Eid prayers, people return home to enjoy a festive family meal, maybe exchange a few small gifts, and to give gifts of food or money to the poor who can’t afford their own feast. Many people will travel about greeting friends and relatives, and many will return to their birthplaces from the cities to spend Djouldé Soumaé with their parents and others still living there.
History
They will likely hear a sermon that mentions how this first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal is when Muhammad received the first verses of the Quran This observance marks an important moment in history, observed annually as a day of reflection and commemoration.
How It's Celebrated
Only around 18 percent of Cameroon’s people are Muslim, but Eid al-Fitr is a public holiday nonetheless, along with Christian and patriotic national holidays. The holiday will be on Saturday 26 February in 2028. On Eid, Muslims of Cameroon will rise early in the morning to attend public prayers at a