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Gabon Independence Day is a national holiday celebrated on August 17 every year to commemorate the country’s independence from France in 1960. Know about the history of Gabon Independence Day.
Gabon Independence Day is observed every year on the 17th of August. This day honours the country’s independence in 1960. It is a national holiday in Gabon and is celebrated in numerous ways including parades, concerts and fireworks.
Gabon Independence Day: Date
- 2024: 17 August, 2024 [Saturday]
- 2025: 17 August, 2025 [Sunday]
- 2026: 17 August, 2026 [Monday]
Parades feature marching bands, floats, and traditional dancers. Concerts feature a variety of musical genres, from traditional Gabonese music to international pop music.
Gabon Independence Day is an event for all Gabonese people to come together and celebrate the sacrifices of people who gained freedom for the country. It is a day for all the Gabonese people to be proud of their heritage.
The Commonwealth Chambers of Commerce mentions: “This holiday is widely celebrated throughout the country and festivities usually last for two days. Celebrations comprise official speeches, parades, drum shows, traditional dance and fireworks at La Place de Fetes. Friends and family gather together to enjoy traditional food such as nyembwe, fufu and atanga with bread.”
History:
The history of Gabon’s independence is quite long and complex. The French first landed in Gabon in the early 19th century. In 1839, Captain Édouard Bouët-Willaumez negotiated treaties with the heads of two Mpongwe clans, King Denis and King Louis, and in that, they agreed to end the slave trade and accepted French sovereignty over their lands. The French further extended their control over the coast, and in 1849 they established the town of Libreville.
In the late 19th century, the French began to explore the interior of Gabon. The expeditions of Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza between 1875 and 1885 established French authority on the upper Ogooué River and on the Loango coast. In 1910, Gabon became one of the four colonies within the federation of French Equatorial Africa.
Britannica mentions: “During the 1850s and ’60s the French gradually extended their control along the adjacent coast and sent explorers into the interior. The expeditions of Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza between 1875 and 1885 established French authority on the upper Ogooué, where Franceville was founded in 1880, and on the Loango coast.”
“An enlarged Gabon was attached to the French Congo in 1886 under Brazza as governor. In 1910 Gabon became one of the four colonies within the federation of French Equatorial Africa,” it adds.
The French occupation of Gabon brought some resistance from the local people. However, the main opposition to French rule came from the pro-French but anti colonialist elite that was created in the period between the two world wars.
This elite came mainly from the graduates of the boys’ schools of the Brothers of Saint-Gabriel at Libreville and Lambaréné. During the Fourth French Republic (1946-58), Gabon became an overseas territory with its own assembly and representation in the French Parliament.
France also greatly expanded public investment in the economy, health care, and education. In 1958, Gabon became an autonomous republic within the French Community. Later, cooperation agreements were made with France, and as a result, Gabon got its independence on August 17, 1960.
To conclude, Gabon Independence Day is a day of great significance for the Gabonese people. This day is an opportunity to celebrate their freedom and unity and reflect on the country’s past and look forward to its future.
How to Observe Gabon Independence Day:
Attend events in Franceville
- Franceville is the epicenter of the Gabon Independence Day celebrations. An annual event of parades, drum shows, and traditional dance programs takes place. It’s a perfect way to spend this day with friends and family.
Enjoy delectable local food
- Gabon Independence Day is not just a historical event but also a significant cultural occasion. Spend a day exploring and enjoying your favorite Gabonese food.
Visit museums
- Explore Gabon’s national museums to get a sense of the country’s rich history. You can visit the Musée National des Arts Rites et Traditions du Gabon, or the Mausolée Léon M’ba, both of which are in Libreville.
5 Interesting Facts:
Gabon’s national flag
- The French flag was initially superimposed on that of Gabon’s but was removed after its independence from France.
La Concorde
- The national anthem of Gabon, ‘La Concorde’ was composed by Georges Aleka Damas, right after its independence.
Colors of the flag
- The colors of the Gabonese flag represent vegetation (green); the equator (yellow); and the Atlantic Ocean (blue).
French Equatorial Africa
- de Brazza is regarded as the founder of French Equatorial Africa which also includes Gabon.
Jeunesse Gabonais
- Jeunesse Gabonais was the first political party to seek Gabon’s representation in the French administration.
Why Gabon Independence Day is Important:
It has a rich history:
Gabon Independence Day is an opportunity for the Gabonese people to inform others about their freedom struggle. This important piece of history must be restored and passed on to the coming generations.
We love festivities:
In Franceville, the Gabonese are known for their grand, loud, and colorful celebrations. This is a day to party, have fun, and celebrate everyone’s freedom.
We love good food:
This day is also a chance for Gabonese households to show off their dexterity in cooking Gabonese food. From poulet nyembwe, to brochettes, to dongo dongo, you can relish endless traditional Gabonese delicacies!
