Foumban
The capital of the Bamoun kingdom, city of the arts
West Region (capital: Bafoussam) · Noun department (capital: Foumban)
On screen : White Material (2009)
Where is Foumban?
Foumban is in the West Region of Cameroon, 335 to 360 km from Yaoundé by road.
Foumban is the capital of the Noun division, in the West region, at an altitude of 1,179 metres. The historic capital of the Bamoun kingdom, one of the oldest in sub-Saharan Africa, it had 83,522 inhabitants at the 2005 census. It lies about 70 kilometres north-east of Bafoussam.
History and origin of the name
The Bamoun kingdom dates back to the fourteenth century: the dynasty was founded by Nchare Yen, in 1394 according to tradition. Its most famous king, Ibrahim Njoya, marked his reign by building the royal palace, completed in 1917, and by inventing a script of his own, shü-mom. Islam, Christianity and ancestor worship have coexisted in the town for more than a century.
What to see
- The royal palace, built during the reign of Ibrahim Njoya and still the residence of the Bamoun king.
- The Museum of the Bamoun Kings, opened to the public on 13 April 2024: more than 10,000 objects trace over six centuries of the kingdom's history.
- The Nguon, a series of rituals between the king and his people held every two years in early December, added in December 2023 to UNESCO's list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity: the first Cameroonian element on that list.
Economy and local life
Crafts are by far Foumban's largest source of jobs, and its craftspeople have earned it the nickname "city of the arts". The Nguon, the kingdom's great festival, is held with the support of the Ministry of Arts and Culture.
What to eat
The sources consulted do not describe a dish specific to Foumban. The town lies in the West region, whose best-known dishes, such as nkui or kondre, come from neighbouring Bamileke country.
Practical information
The altitude gives the town a cooler climate than the lowlands. Foumban is about 70 kilometres from Bafoussam and 335 to 360 kilometres from Yaoundé by road.
Distances by road
Approximate distances, city centre to city centre. Travel time depends heavily on road conditions and traffic.