GRIOTS REPUBLIC - AN URBAN BLACK TRAVEL MAG - OCTOBER 2016
In the October Issue of Griots Republic we cover GLOBAL DESIGN! From interior to sound design we plug into the subjects that interest urban travelers. Black Travel Profiles include: Brooklyn Circus Founder, Ouigi Theodor. Up In Air Life Founder, Claire Soares. Fashion Influencer, Jason Andrew and Blogger A.V Perkins of A.V Does What. This issue also includes interviews with International D.J., DJ Super Nova and street artist and designer Jerry Gant. This is Black Travel!
In the October Issue of Griots Republic we cover GLOBAL DESIGN! From interior to sound design we plug into the subjects that interest urban travelers. Black Travel Profiles include: Brooklyn Circus Founder, Ouigi Theodor. Up In Air Life Founder, Claire Soares. Fashion Influencer, Jason Andrew and Blogger A.V Perkins of A.V Does What. This issue also includes interviews with International D.J., DJ Super Nova and street artist and designer Jerry Gant. This is Black Travel!
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THE KINGDOM<br />
Extraordinary Bamoun Museum Design Rivals the<br />
Six Centuries of Its Prized Collection<br />
BY KELLEY PAGE JIBRELL<br />
While many Royal Dynasties operate in<br />
secrecy, few are as welcoming as the<br />
Bamoun (or Bamum) Kingdom. Founded<br />
in the 14th Century, the Bamoun<br />
Kingdom is nestled in the Northwest<br />
Grassfields region of Cameroon. Foumban<br />
is the city hub of the Bamoun Kingdom<br />
and attracts world-travelers for its<br />
chic design in fine arts, craftsmanship,<br />
music, dance and festivals. The high design,<br />
art and storied Royal Palace architecture<br />
draw visitors from across Cameroon<br />
and the world.<br />
With such a long, fabled history, the<br />
Bamoun Kingdom has had a succession<br />
of 19 men crowned King. Each King has<br />
made his mark and the current Sultan<br />
is no exception. His Majesty Ibrahim<br />
Mbouombouo Njoya, the 19th king of<br />
the Bamoun Dynasty launched a worldclass<br />
project which is nearing completion.<br />
The upcoming Bamoun Museum<br />
will house more than 13,000 Bamoun,<br />
Tikar and related artifacts. Part of the<br />
lure of the Bamoun Kingdom is its fusion<br />
of cultures with Fulani and Hausa influences<br />
and historical migratory roots<br />
from Sudan. The Bamoun Dynasty is<br />
primarily Islamic yet lives harmoniously<br />
with significant traditional animists and<br />
Christian influences from German and<br />
French colonization. The Royal Palace<br />
serves as the current museum for textiles,<br />
masks, jewelry, statues, thrones<br />
and documents dating from the birth of<br />
the dynasty more than 600 years ago.<br />
YOUNG ARCHITECT LEADS DESIGN<br />
<strong>AN</strong>D CONSTRUCTION<br />
The Sultan of this historic dynasty<br />
chose one of its own young architects<br />
for the historic landmark. Mr. Mbouombouo<br />
Issofou is the talented architect<br />
appointed by the Sultan to conceptualize,<br />
design and build the new Bamoun<br />
Museum. Mr. Issofou, as a young man,<br />
won the coveted design contest for this<br />
museum project. The Bamoun Kingdom<br />
has other notable architects including<br />
Ousman Moluh, but decided to give this<br />
landmark project to a young man to inspire<br />
others in the Kingdom.<br />
The Museum’s architectural design is<br />
inspired by the three primary symbols<br />
of the Bamoun Kingdom. King Mbuem-
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