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CULTURAL TOUR OF THE WESTERN PROVINCE |
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The chiefdoms of the West and North-West provinces of Cameroon
are full of tradition. It is in the chiefdoms of Bandjoun near
Bafoussam, the sultanate of the Bamoun in Foumban and the Bafut
fon’s palace near Bamenda in the North-West english speaking
province of Cameroon that a different cultural landscape is
observed.
Cultural festivals in the West of Cameroon take place from the
month of November to March every year which corresponds to the
dry season in the country. This is the period for funeral
celebrations and annual festivals organized by the big villages
such as Bali and Bafut ( the Lela dances) in the month of
December.
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Funeral celebrations are very rich cultural events with a lot
of colourful traditional dances taking place.It is during this
period that all the culture of the villages is exhibited in the
way of dancing, feasting and gun firing.
The Lela dances of Bafut and bali are particularly colourful as
the traditional dress is the order of the day with each and
everyone well dressed in traditional regalia. |
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THE BAMOUN KINGDOM (Foumban) |
This
is a special attraction by itself, founded towards the end of
the 14th century by NCHARE YEN, the first king of the Bamoun
dynasty. The most famous of the successors of Nchare Yen was
King Njoya who reigned from 1889-1933. It is King Njoya who
invented the SHUMON writing which was later taught in schools
in his kingdom.
Very imaginative, King Njoya, after a visit to Buea during the
german colonial period, was inspired by the residence of the
German Governor and decided upon returning to Foumban to built
the present Sultan’s palace which up to this date, remains an
architectural master piece.
The main cultural attractions of Foumban remain the Palace of
the Sultan which contains the royal museum.The museum is of
international standard where the visitor can see a collection
of the Sultan which traces back the history of the Bamoun
people. This collection includes objects such as:
- war weapons used during local tribal wars;
- war trophies , notably calabashes decorated with human jaws
of conquered enemies ;
- music instruments and dresses worn by the previous kings ;
- the decorated thrones of various kings ; etc.
THE NGUON FESTIVAL is festival organized one every two years in
Foumban by the Bamoun people. This festival brings together all
Bamoun people to think about the development of the kingdom. It
is a very colourful festival. The future Nguon festivals shall
take place in the months of December 2004, 2006, 2008, etc. The
dates are not known in advance.
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Tour details. |
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Day 1 |
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DOUALA/YAOUNDE-BAFOUSSAM |
Drive from Douala or
Yaoundé to Bafoussam with various stops. After about 4 hours
arrive at the chefferie Banjoun some 15 kilometres to Bafoussam
; visit the palace, especially the « Great House » and the
palace museum. Continue drive to Bafoussam for lunch before
driving to Koutaba after a visit of Foumbot market. Overnight
at Paradise Hotel. |
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Day 2 |
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FOUMBAN-BAMENDA |
After breakfast, drive to
Foumban where you will visit the Sultan’s palace and the craft
centre ; after lunch, transfer to Bamenda in the english
speaking North-West province of Cameroon. Overnight at Ayaba
Hotel or similar |
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Day 3 |
| BAMENDA-BAFUT-BAMENDA |
Today is scheduled for an
excursion to Bafut to visit the colonial built palace of the
fon. You may be treated to a local traditional dance
performance, upon request. Return to Bamenda and visit the
local craft shops and the market. Dinner and overnight. |
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Day 4 |
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BAMENDA-DOUALA/YAOUNDE |
Today, we return to Douala
or to Yaoundé
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click here
to book this tour. |
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END OF TOUR |
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