A place with a story
Palais des Sultans Bamouns
Culture & sights in Njinka, Foumban.
The story of the place
The palace of the Bamoun sultans was built in 1917 by King Ibrahim Njoya. It is neither a ruin nor a stage set: it is still the sultan’s home. The dynasty it houses goes back to 1394, which makes the Bamoun kingdom one of the oldest in sub-Saharan Africa. Njoya was not only a builder: he gave his people a script, to record the kingdom’s history, its customs and its remedies. He died in 1933. His script is still there. Next to the palace, the Museum of the Bamoun Kings, opened on 13 April 2024, takes up the kingdom’s emblems: the two-headed serpent, the spider and the double bell.
How to get there
Foumban is about 70 km from Bafoussam by road: it is the simplest way in. From Yaoundé or Douala, you first reach Bafoussam, then carry on to Foumban; allow the day for the journey. Once there, the palace, the museums and the craftsmen’s workshops are done on foot.
Good to know
- Entry and fees
- Entry and the guide are paid for and prices change: ask at the desk before you start the visit.
- Who to go with
- Alone, with friends or with family. With a guide, the visit takes on its full meaning.
- The best time
- All year round. During the Nguon, the great festival of the Bamoun people listed by UNESCO as intangible heritage in 2023, the city lives to the rhythm of the palace: its dates change, so check before you leave.
- What to bring
- Change for entry and the guide, good shoes. Always ask before photographing a person or a workshop.
They were there
Photos and videos from the people who came by.
Practical
On the map
Confirmed 4 days ago from public sources (press, encyclopedias, the place's official pages). The team has not been there yet: tell us if something has changed.
Listing updated 4 days ago
In our articles
And after?
A coffee or a table to round off the outing.
