African Wear

Toghu Traditional Outfit: Bamileke

Toghu traditional outfit is the cultural attire of the people of Northwestern Cameroon. The traditional regalia also known as Atoghu has largely spread across Africa beyond the North West Region of the country.

Outside of Cameroon, Cameroonians wear this clothing to mark their cultural heritage. You would see them on leisure vacations and holidays donning the clothing in style.

Without distinction, the Cameroonian outfit has a unifying impact on the people. This is because the different symbols and markings on the clothing have significance to the people and their cultures.

The gong patterned on the fabric shows the musical instrument played by the Cameroonians at traditional ceremonies.

The different sizes and shapes of the designs mark the different cultural aspects of the Grassfield. These varying design forms are specified for children, males, and females.

Aside from the general significance, the Njangi groups attach specific meanings to the designs of their clothes.

Original Toghu patterns are made with black, white, and red and sometimes multicolored embroidered outfits. The fabric is heavy, made with velvet, and resistant to wear.

Recent designs of Toghu in Bamenda are far from the historical markings. Some of them are merely embroidery patterns with little or no significance.

The Toghu traditional outfit is more than a dressing. Major occasions where you would see this outfit are at weddings, investitures of chiefdom, festivals, and feasts