2024-04-15 18:16:53
It is a major cultural event for the Cameroon and all of Africa. This Saturday, April 13, the Musée des Rois Bamoun officially opened its doors to the public in Foumban, in the West region. A true temple dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the tangible and intangible heritage of this thousand-year-old kingdom, it contains no less than 12,500 artifacts retracing the fascinating history of the Bamoun monarchs.
An architectural gem inspired by tradition
The result of more than a decade of reflection and hard work, this museum is an architectural masterpiece that brilliantly combines tradition and modernity. Built on a site of 3,555 m2, it impresses with its majesty and its references to the Bamoun cosmogony.
« The architecture is inspired by the signs and symbols of our culture, such as the spider, the double gong or the two-headed snake“, explains Mbouombouo Youssouf, architect and project manager of this titanic project initiated by the late Sultan Ibrahim Mbombo Njoya and completed by his successor, His Majesty Nabil-Mouhammad Mforifoum Mbombo Njoya.
Previously hidden treasures revealed to the world
But the real wealth of the museum lies in the treasures it contains. No less than 12,500 objects, of which only 1,500 were previously exhibited in the former museum of the royal palace, as revealed by Dr. Oumarou Schare, cultural officer at the Bamoun Sultanate.
« King Mbombo Njoya decided to build a new museum spacious enough to contain everything we have as cultural heritage., he emphasizes. A bold bet to take these wonders out of the reserves where they were confined and finally offer them to the world.
An immersive experience at the heart of Bamoun history
On more than 4,000 m2 of exhibition space, visitors are invited on a fascinating journey to the heart of Bamoun culture. Ritual objects, historical pieces, works of art… Each artifact tells a part of the epic of this dynasty which shaped the history of an entire region.
« The Museum of the Bamoun Kings represents the particularity of being equipped with objects of authenticity guaranteed by the mode of succession established by the founding pact of this kingdom, which continuously establishes respect for the transmission of power from father to son »highlights His Majesty Nabil-Mohammed Mforifoum Mbombo Njoya.
A living museum, reflection of the soul of a people
More than just an exhibition space, the Musée des Rois Bamoun aims to be a living space, vibrating to the rhythm of the culture it celebrates. “This museum is a heritage, an analysis laboratory, a place of memory. It’s a development tool”insists Dr. Rachel Mariembe, archaeologist and museum curator.
A dimension that was felt during the inauguration ceremony, punctuated by the songs of griots, traditional dances and the gunshots of warriors in ceremonial attire. A solemn moment which brought together more than 2,000 guests from Cameroon and around the world to celebrate this cultural jewel.
A vibrant tribute to the visionary sultan
This inauguration was also an opportunity to pay tribute to Sultan Ibrahim Mbombo Njoya, the initiator of this pharaonic project who unfortunately did not see his dream come to fruition during his lifetime.
« My great satisfaction that day would have been if God the Almighty had made our father get up for a single second from where he was near God to experience this event with us and appreciate our collective effort to complete the work he initiated »confided with emotion his son and successor.
A tribute shared by all those involved, saluting the vision and determination of this man who dedicated his life to the preservation and transmission of the cultural heritage of his people. A heritage today magnified by this museum which promises to become a beacon for all of Africa.
As the doors of the Musée des Rois Bamoun finally open to the public, an entire nation celebrates its culture and history. A moment of pride and emotion, which will remain engraved in memories as a day when Cameroon showed the world the richness and beauty of its heritage. A priceless treasure, now accessible to all thanks to the vision of a king and the determination of an entire people.