Sultan of the Bamouns Visits U.S. Department of State to Celebrate Upcoming Museum

Their visit marked a significant celebration of the upcoming March 2024 opening of the Bamoun King's Museum, which is dedicated to preserving 600 years of Bamoun history. In recognition of this cultural initiative, the State Department contributed 60 million FCFA to support the museum as part of its global effort to preserve cultural heritage.

A Visit of Significance

Since August 31, 2024, Sultan Mouhammad-Nabil has been in the United States at the invitation of the Bamoun community residing there. His visit has been filled with numerous accolades and pivotal meetings with diverse communities and leaders.

During his tour, the Sultan visited several prestigious American institutions, including the Smithsonian Museum, where he highlighted the critical need for cultural preservation. His journey also took him to George Washington University and the illustrious Library of Congress, where he was delighted to discover several books dedicated to the Bamoun people, including an interview book featuring his late father, "Ibrahim Mbombo Noya, Cameroon, the Bamoun, and Me."

Honors and Recognitions

On September 9, during African Diaspora Day at the Capitol Auditorium, the Sultan received an honorary award for his steadfast commitment to the African diaspora, particularly the Bamoun community. This recognition underscored his dedication to strengthening cultural and economic ties between Africa and its diaspora. His presence at the event inspired participants and highlighted the importance of unity within the African diaspora.

Another significant moment occurred at St. John’s University in New York, where the Sultan received an award acknowledging his outstanding contributions to culture and education. Notably, the Sultan is an alumnus of St. John’s University and aims to enhance academic and cultural connections between the Bamoun people and the international academic community.

A Unified Bamoun Diaspora

Throughout his visit, Sultan Mouhammad-Nabil was accompanied by a large delegation from the Bamoun community in the U.S., exemplifying the unity of the Bamoun diaspora. Dr. Fatimatou Poumié Kouotou, Executive Director of the Nguon Foundation, emphasized the significance of this visit in promoting Nguon, the first Cameroonian cultural element inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and in strengthening community engagement within the diaspora.

This tour reflects Sultan Mouhammad-Nabil’s unwavering commitment to promoting Bamoun cultural values and unity on a global scale while fostering relationships between local and international communities.