Republic Day Date: December 1

Republic Day in Central African Republic is a public holiday.

On December 1, 1958, the territory formerly known as Oubangui-Chari became an autonomous republic within the newly established French Community. Two years later, it was renamed the Central African Republic. Now the people of the country celebrate the formation of the republic every December 1.

Central African Republic’s Republic Day History

Slave trading and selling of local goods by chieftains of the African states in the Ubangi-Shari region to European companies proliferated during the first ten years of French colonial rule from 1900 to 1910. The rulers used their accords with France for their own benefit, obtaining more weaponry to take in more slaves. The consequence of the illegal trading of the locals by the chieftains during the early ten years of colonial rule was the depopulation of half of Ubangi-Shari.

In the second ten years of France’s imperial rule from 1910 to 1920, slave trading was significantly reduced. The reductions came as the dominance of local African rulers was ended by the armed people of private companies and as French rulers continued to use vicious means to confront the locals who defied forced labor.

A period of transition existed during the thirtieth year of French rule from 1920 to 1930. During this time, a network of roads was laid, plantations of cash crops were encouraged, and health services became mobile to tackle sleeping sickness. However, forced labor became more prevalent with the construction of the Congo-Ocean Railway.

In the fortieth year of France’s colonial rule from 1930 to 1940, coffee, cotton, and tea became the most important crops in Ubangi-Shari, and the mining of gold and diamonds also began. During the last ten years of French colonial rule from 1940-1950, political reforms followed in the wake of the Second World War.

On December 1, 1958, the protectorate of Ubangi-Shari became autonomous within France’s communities, and two years later it adopted the name Central African Republic.

Central African Republic’s Republic Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

During the celebrations, parades include every military, political, and social group in the community. One of the highlights of the event is the traditional pirogue or dugout canoe race of twenty or more boats. Traditional wrestlers and dancers also perform on the streets.