The Grassfields
Highlands, kingdoms and chiefdoms
On the volcanic highlands of the West and North-West, the Grassfields host Cameroon's largest population group. Kingdoms and chiefdoms — including the famous Bamoun kingdom of Foumban — still shape social, artistic and political life there.
Regions
Ouest · Nord-Ouest
Communities
Kingdom founded in the 14th century, known for the Foumban Royal Palace, its dynastic museum, and the Shümom script invented by Sultan Njoya in the early 20th century — one of the rare original scripts of sub-Saharan Africa.
Group of chiefdoms (including Bandjoun, Bafoussam, Bangangté) renowned for carved woodwork, ceremonial masks and a social organisation structured around the chief (Fo) and secret societies.
Peoples of the English-speaking Grassfields (Bafut, Kom, Nso...), strong traditional chiefdoms, raffia craft and beaded calabash work.
Heritage
- Palais Royal de Foumban
- Grande Case des chefferies Grassfields (liste indicative UNESCO)
- Chefferie de Bafut
- Danses de masques bamiléké
- Danse Njoya à la cour bamoun
- Tambours de chefferie
- Chants de cour bamoun
- Koki (galette de haricots)
- Ndolé
- Vin de palme et de raphia
- Sculpture sur bois
- Perlage de calebasses
- Tissage du raphia
- Fonte du bronze/laiton
- Nguon (Foumban, années paires)
- Festival Medumba (pays bamiléké)
- Intronisations de chefferie
Gallery
