The Cameroonian government has inaugurated a historical museum which is dedicated to honouring its oldest and most influential kingdoms.

Known as the Royal Bomaun Kings Museum, it was inaugurated on Saturday, April 13, in Foumban, the Bauman Kingdom’s traditional capital, located in the western part of the country.

The edifice which is next to the royal palace of the Bamouns, has been described as an architectural masterpiece, pays homage to the emblem of the Bamoun – a double-headed snake, a spider, and a double-mounted gong, and houses over 10,000 historical artefacts most of whom are century-old objets d’art.

It was inaugurated by King Nabil Mbombo Njoya, the 20th ruler of the Bamouns, alongside Culture Minister, Pierre Ismaël Bidoung Mkpatt.

Foremost Cameroonian historian and anthropologist, Professor Francois Bingono Bingono, who was among the visitors at the opening of the museum, spoke glowingly of the project.

“I was privileged to visit the museum. I can tell you that it is not only the culture of western Cameroon, the culture of the Bamouns that is celebrated inside those walls.

“I recognized the culture of the forest, meaning the culture of the inhabitants of southern Cameroon, a heavily forested region.

“I also recognized the cultures of the regions of East, Centre and South Cameroon. One can also come across the cultural heritage of Loum, of the Hauts-Plateaux department, and that of northern Cameroon.

“This museum is the ideal place for those who wish to go back to their roots or take a deep dive into the culture heritage of Cameroon.

“You can see valuable items inside such as thrones and chairs used by the King. Really anything that has to do with the Bamoun dynasty from the first rulers to the current monarch.

“This is patrimony that is handed down to future generations. For the Bamouns, it represents an achievement and a celebration of their culture. For Cameroonians at large, it is part of their history.”

The Bamoun Kingdom is one of the oldest in sub-saharan Africa with historians dating its creation to the late XIVth century.

The commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide on April 9 has afforded over 2,073 victims of the carnage to be given a decent burial after their remains were discovered in mass graves in the Huye District.

According to local media, the remains of the victims, largely from the Tutsi ethnic group, were discovered under a house and a field.

A local tabloid reported that the first six bodies were discovered in October 2023 as workers were building a fence around the compound that belongs to a one Jean Baptiste Hishamunda in Ngoma sector.

“Neighbours and the owners of the home had concealed information about the victims’ whereabouts for a long time,” according to city officials.

Ange Sebutege, the Mayor of Huye District who supervised the exhumation of the remains, told journalists on Monday that the victims of the 1994 genocide will get a decent burial on April 30 in Ngoma Genocide memorial during a commemoration activity that is planned.

He added that the land where the bodies were exhumed is being prepared to establish a symbol that massacres were committed during the pogrom.

The area, according to Sebutege, was inhabited by soldiers of the genocidal regime, two of whom are said to have committed genocide crimes including the son of Hishamunda, who is currently serving a sentence in Huye prison after pleading guilty.

“Despite pleading guilty he never shared information about the victims’ remains dumped in mass graves at his home.

“The suspects being pursued for concealing the information include 86-year-old Jean Baptiste Hishamunda, Seraphine Dusabemariya, 61 , Petero Habimana, 89, Mariani Musasangohe, 50, Marie Josee Uwabega, 53, and Mediatrice Uwimana, 54,” Sebutege said.

“Others like Sifa Nyirakiromba, 68, was released while the six suspects will be arraigned in court.

“Dusabemariya, Musangangohe, and Uwabega are children of Jean Baptiste Hishamunda, while Habimana and Uwimana are neighbours of Dusabemariya,” he stated.

According to Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), there is an increase in crimes related to concealing, destroying, eliminating, or degrading evidence or information relating to genocide, which saw a rise of 120 percent.

“However, this increase is viewed positively by RIB, as it signifies a growing awareness of the legal impact associated with withholding crucial information regarding genocide.

“This surge in cases, from 44 in 2019 to 97 in 2023, demonstrates progress, as individuals are increasingly disclosing the whereabouts of genocide victims’ remains, thus contributing to the process of healing and reconciliation,” according to RIB.