Foumban

	Foumban is the capital of the Bamoun people and is where their sultan lives. If I remember correctly, this is the only area that still has a sultan. Ibrahim Mbombo Njoya (the sultan) is the grandson of Sultan Njoya, who was the most famous sultan who reigned from 1895-1930's and designed this palace. In 1992 Sultan Ibrahim Njoya built a museum in the palace which, shows artifacts including an alphabet his grandfather invented.

	For more info about Foumban Click Here and select the link for Foumban.



	The 2 headed snake is the emblem of the Foumban Palace. Click Here to zoom in. While in Foumban, I purchased a beautiful tablecloth with this embroidered into it which I gave to Zoe.

Just outside the palace was a gift shop, and there we were given a brief concert showing the instruments that were for sale. Below is the statue that is in front of the palace. There is a replica of this in the African Art Gallery in Nashville (8th & Broad). The man working was surprised when I told him I had seen the real thing. For friends in Nashville, I highly recommend a visit to this shop. Phillip??? and the people who operate it are from Senegal.





			If you go to Foumban, be sure you don't mistake the few shops near the palace for the craft village. There's also a nice museum in this area that is a mile or so from the palace. It takes a while to bargain with the vendors, but if you are persistent, you can get some beautiful stuff at a great price. It was funny, in one shop I had to include my Yosemite National Park souvenir carabiner in the trade to get the price I wanted. This was for my big mask. The next week when I was in the artisanl in Yaoundé the same boy had come there to sell, and he showed me the carabiner. This time, he wanted my shoes in trade. I bought another piece from him, but did not trade my shoes.
	Above, we have a political march that happened after a rally in the craft village 2 miles from the sultan's palace.


	E-mail Brad © Copyright 2002


	Sign --- View Guestbook




	Previous Page




	Next Page