Sultan of Bamoun Strengthens Diaspora Ties During U.S. Visit

Arrival and Community Engagement

The Sultan’s plane touched down at Washington Dulles International Airport at 1:30 a.m. on August 31, followed by his installation at the royal residence for the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) region. The next morning, he received a courtesy visit from the Bamoun community leaders and dignitaries in the U.S., followed by an ecumenical prayer for peace in Cameroon, particularly in the Noun region. The event saw the participation of nearly 2,000 people, both Bamoun and non-Bamoun.

In line with this community spirit, the Sultan paid a private visit to the Loving Pets Hospital in Baltimore, MD, a veterinary clinic owned by Dr. Salifou Ngouyamsa, a prominent member of the Bamoun community. The Sultan praised and encouraged Dr. Ngouyamsa's initiative.

Later that afternoon, he visited Vera Songwe, former head of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and current leader of the Liquidity and Sustainability Facility (LSF), an institution she co-founded to support developing countries.

Official Engagements and Cultural Events

On September 3, in line with his allegiance to Cameroonian republican institutions, the Sultan paid an official visit to Cameroon's ambassador to the U.S., His Excellency Henri Etoudi Essomba, in Washington, D.C.

On September 8, the Bamoun community in Maryland hosted a vibrant cultural evening in honor of the Sultan, celebrating Bamoun traditions. During the event, Bamoun women residing in the U.S. received a surprise visit from the Sultan while planning the "Bamoun Women's Carnival" for the upcoming Nguon festival. The Sultan congratulated them for their hospitality and dedication to promoting Nguon 2024.

Visits to American Institutions

During his U.S. tour, Sultan Mouhammad-Nabil visited several key American institutions, including the Smithsonian Museum, emphasizing the importance of cultural preservation. He also visited George Washington University and the prestigious Library of Congress, where he was pleasantly surprised to find several books dedicated to the Bamoun people, including an interview book with his late father, "Ibrahim Mbombo Noya, Cameroon, the Bamoun, and Me."

Honors and Awards

On September 9, during African Diaspora Day at the Capitol Auditorium, the Sultan was honored once again for his unwavering commitment to the African diaspora, especially the Bamoun community. He received an honorary award for his efforts to strengthen cultural and economic ties between Africa and its diaspora. His presence at the event inspired many participants and highlighted the importance of unity within the African diaspora.

Another proud moment came during a ceremony at St. John’s University in New York, where the Sultan received an award for his outstanding contributions to culture and education. It is worth noting that the Sultan is an alumnus of St. John’s University and aims to strengthen academic and cultural ties between the Bamoun people and the international academic community.

A United Bamoun Diaspora

Throughout the visit, the Sultan was accompanied by a large delegation of the Bamoun community residing in the U.S., demonstrating the unity of the Bamoun diaspora. Dr. Fatimatou Poumié Kouotou, Executive Director of the Nguon Foundation, emphasized the importance of the 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 ongoing commitment to promoting Bamoun cultural values and unity worldwide, while also fostering relationships between local and international communities.