Bambui arts and culture

Abstract

This book focuses on the traditional arts and culture of Bambui, a kingdom in the western Grassfields of Cameroon. Although a small kingdom in comparison to much bigger kingdoms such as Mankon, Banso, Kom and Bali, the arts and culture of this kingdom have served, and continue to serve, as a way of life, as ritual, as decoration, and as a means of uniting with the sublime since pre-colonial times. However, in presenting the arts and culture of the western Grassfields, scholars have given much attention only to the dominant kingdoms. As such, Bambui, and many other smaller kingdoms have been rendered voiceless. This text brings forth the voice of one of the smallest kingdoms in the western Grassfields through the presentation of its historical arts, and culture, and the changes that have taken, and continue to take place, in the society. It represents primarily an examination of the socio-cultural organisation of the kingdom and the various kinds of art that are used within the different contexts. These milestones are well-illustrated with historical and contemporary images.