Foumban
Cameroon · West · 1200 m
Description
Foumban is the seat of the Bamoun sultans, a dynasty that has held the throne since the fourteenth century and still does. The palace of 1917 was built in brick in a style borrowed from both German barracks and Islamic architecture, and its museum holds the thrones, drums, weapons and beaded masks of the line. Sultan Njoya, who ruled around 1900, invented a script for the Bamoun language and had it taught in schools he founded. The craft street below the palace is the best in Cameroon for bronze casting, embroidery and carving. The great mosque stands beside it.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 1 to 2 days (optimal 2 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: November – February
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Palais Royal des Bamoun
- Musée du Palais Royal
- Rue des Artisans and its bronze casters
- Bamum script of Sultan Njoya
- Grande Mosquée de Foumban
- Musée des Arts et Traditions Bamoun
- Beaded thrones and royal masks
- Nguon festival of the Bamoun (approx. December)
- Embroidery and indigo cloth workshops
- Royal necropolis of the sultans
- Market of Foumban