By Boris Esono Nwenfor
BUEA, PAV – The Paramount Fon of Fontem in Lebialem Division, South West region of Cameroon, Fon Asabaton Fontem, has appealed to the government for support in reconstructing the historic Fontem Palace, which suffered extensive destruction during the Anglophone Crisis in Cameroon’s North West and South West regions.
The traditional ruler appealed to an audience with the Minister of Arts and Culture, Ismael Bidoung Mpkatt, in Yaoundé on May 12. Fon Asabaton, accompanied by two members of his royal entourage, used the meeting to highlight the cultural and historical significance of the palace, which dates back to 1914 and is considered one of the oldest traditional palaces in Cameroon.
According to Fon Asabaton, the palace has served for more than a century not only as the residence of the Fon of Fontem but also as a sanctuary for the Bangwa people and a centre for grooming successors of neighbouring traditional institutions.
The palace symbolises unity, protection, and continuity for the people of Fontem and the surrounding communities. Its reconstruction would represent a significant step toward healing and cultural restoration in Lebialem Division.
The palace was heavily affected during the armed conflict that has gripped Cameroon’s Anglophone regions since 2016.
Fon Asabaton also raised concerns over the fate of Bangwa cultural artefacts allegedly taken to Europe during the colonial era. He appealed to the Ministry of Arts and Culture to support efforts aimed at tracing and repatriating the artefacts, which he described as an important part of the cultural memory and identity of the Bangwa people.
Across Africa, traditional leaders and governments have increasingly demanded the return of cultural objects removed during colonial rule and currently housed in European museums and private collections.
Fon Asabaton’s request aligns with broader continental calls for the restitution of African heritage items considered to have been illegally exported or acquired under colonial domination. The reconstruction of traditional institutions such as the Fontem Palace could contribute to preserving local heritage while fostering reconciliation and community rebuilding efforts in Lebialem Division.
