Bangoua museum
The Bangoua patrimonial case, also know as the Bangoua museum created in 2011 by the initiative of the king Tchatchouang, is a Cameroon museum. It is located in Bangoua in the Western region of Cameroon,[1] in the Ndé division. It's thematic is focused on the concept of Art, Hunting and Tradition. This celebrates the memory of the king Leukemegneu, hunter and builder of the Bangoua people.[2]
History
The Bangoua patrimonial case is an open museum on the theme: Arts, Hunting and Tradition.[3] The patrimonial case is a proper concept to the kingdoms road program.[4]
Located in the Western region of Cameroon, precisely in the Ndé division the Bangoua museum is an element of the kingdoms road program, a project of cultural and sightseeing development aiming to valorise the traditional heritage of Cameroon.[5] It's inauguration was done on the 5th Novembre 2011. It celebrates the king Leukemegneu, a respected hunter and builder by the Bangoua people. The principal thematic of the museum lies on art, hunting and traditions, reflecting the essential aspects of the culture and history of the Bangoua community.[2]
It is also a place of memory and transmission of the culture and tradition of the Bangoua people. By valorising art, hunting and traditions, this museum plays a role in the preservation and the promotion of the cultural heritage of the Western region of Cameroon. It offers to the visitors an opportunity to discover and appreciate the wealth and diversity of the Bangoua's culture, contributing to the touristic and economic development of the region. Created in 2011 by the initiative of the local traditional authorities, the patrimonial case pays homage to Leukemegneu, ancestral foundator of the Bangoua's group, known for his hunting abilities and for his role in the building of the kingdom.[2]
The museum develops a thematic based on "Arts, Hunting and Traditions", valorising cultural practices, skills and believes of the Bangoua people.
Acquisition, set up and beginning
Mission
Located in the grassfields kingdoms, the Bangoua patrimonial case as all others patrimonial cases is a community museum. It has as thematic "Arts, hunting and traditions".[6] This patrimonial institution plays a pedagogic transmission role and ancestral believes valuation role.[7]
Administration
Promoters, guardianship and direction/management of the museum
The Bangoua patrimonial case is under the guardianship of Superior kingdom of the Bangoua's group, represented by their leadership. It's management is done in a parity manner by a local commitee and benefits from the technical support of the kingdoms road association, which coordinate the network of the community museums of western Cameroon.[8]
Fundings
Tourism and Attendance
Architecture and Space organisation
Architecture
The building is principally constructed with compressed earth blocks. Just before the museum entrance, is found panthers tree. The entrance is marked by a gate topped of nine conical roofs. Infront the museum entrance, we found two mystical rocks called "Loh Nkak" which grows by a secret alchemy; these rocks are surrounded by a sacred herb and a space reserved only for one person.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name We can found a symbolic tree reminding of the acts of bravery and the community traditions.These architectural elements represent the Bangoua's cultural and spiritual wealth.[9] The architecture of the Bangoua patrimonial case registers in grassfields kingdoms tradition, favorising the use of local material and vernacular building technics.
The principal building is made up of compressed earth blocks, material commonly used in the traditional architecture of the region.[10] The entrance of the museum is marked by a gate topped of conical roofs, characteristic element of the bamileke's culture.
The architectural path is made up of symbolic elements, notably the "panthers tree" associated to bravery text and collective memory of the kingdom, and also the ritual rocks called "Loh Nkak" considered as sacred in the local tradition.
The spatial organisation of the museum articulates around an initiatory path relating the external spaces and the exhibition rooms, expressing a will of staging the Bangoua's group cultural and spiritual heritage.
Space organisation
Collections
Supported by the Routes des chefferies (RDC), the Bangoua patrimonial case contains more than 800 objects.[11]
Exhibitions
Permanents
It presents two great exhibitions. The first exhibition is based on the presentation of the kingdom, its history and traditions. This section offers a detail view of the social and political organisation of the Bangoua kingdom, and also the customs and rituals which guide its people daily. We can also found arts objects and historical artefacts which testify the wealth of the region.[12] The second exhibition is based on hunting, its principles in Cameroon and upto Mali. Hunting is an activity which played a great role in the lives of Bangoua. This section explores traditional hunting technics, the types of animals hunted and the importance of hunting in the local culture. We Can found hunting tools, trophies and hunting texts which illustrate the ability and courage of Bangoua hunters. [12]
In 2022, the Bangoua kingdom borrow many objects for an itinerant exhibition titled" On the roads of the kingdoms of Cameroon". This exhibition makes the national and international public to discover the wealth of the Cameroon Kingdoms heritage. The objects borrowed return at the end of the exhibition and regain their place in the patrimonial case.
Temporary
Beside the permanent exhibitions, it regularly organises events and activities to promote local culture. Amongst these activities we can name some hikes in the Bangoua village, where visitors can discover medical plants and the secrets of nature.
Events
Greatly after the exhibition path, we observe at the end a hike in the Bangoua village where we present herbs hiding secrets. At approximately three kilometers is occuring the production of shea butter by the Fapveu women.[3]
Technical Aspects, Equipment and Services
Crafts shop
The Bangoua patrimonial case equally possesses a crafts shop where local products are sold, notably craftsmanship objects and artworks. This shop permits the visitors to go back with a memory of their visit and to support the local economy. Few kilometers from the museum, the visitors can also witness the production of shea butter by the women of the community.
Notes and References
- ↑ "Wikiwix Archives". archive.wikiwix.com. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Case patrimoniale de Bangoua : Arts, chasse et traditions". Route Des Chefferies (in français). Retrieved 2026-06-15.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Chefferie BANGOUA". ORTOC | Office Regional du Tourisme de l'Ouest Cameroun. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
- ↑ "Accueil". Route Des Chefferies (in français). Retrieved 2026-06-15.
- ↑ "Ouest". MINAT (in français). Retrieved 2026-06-15.
- ↑ "Case patrimoniale de Bangoua : Arts, chasse et traditions". Route Des Chefferies (in français). Retrieved 2026-06-15.
- ↑ "Les cases patrimoniales". Route Des Chefferies (in français). Retrieved 2026-06-15.
- ↑ "Ouvrages de référence — Wikipédia". fr.wikipedia.org (in français). Retrieved 2026-06-15.
- ↑ Kambou, Preston. "Les merveilles du musée case Patrimoniale Bangoua – Diversalités" (in français). Retrieved 2026-06-15.
- ↑ Kambou, Preston. "Les merveilles du musée case Patrimoniale Bangoua – Diversalités" (in français). Retrieved 2026-06-15.
- ↑ "La Case Patrimoniale". ICIBANGOUA.NET (in français). 2015-01-29. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Case patrimoniale de Bangoua : Arts, chasse et traditions". ORTOC | Office Regional du Tourisme de l'Ouest Cameroun. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
Annexes
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