Babungo Palace Museum

Babungo in the Ndop plain of the North-West was one of the major iron-working centres of the grassfields, with smelting furnaces and forges supplying tools, weapons and ceremonial objects across the region for centuries, and the trade shaped the fondom. The palace museum, set up in a building in the royal compound, holds the material that goes with that: carved stools and doorposts, masks, beaded objects, and iron work along with an explanation of the smelting process and its place in the chiefdom. Furnace remains survive in the area. The wooden sculpture of Babungo is well regarded and pieces from here are held in museums abroad.

What you actually see

• Iron working history - the smelting and forging tradition of the fondom.
• Carved stools and doorposts - the wood sculpture Babungo is known for.
• Masks and beaded regalia - the ceremonial objects of the chiefdom.
• Furnace remains in the area - the physical traces of the industry.

When to go

November to February in the dry season. Half a day. The museum keeps limited hours and a guide from the palace is usually required; call ahead if possible.

Honest expectations

Opening depends on staff being present and can be unreliable. Interpretation is limited. Roads in the Ndop plain are rough. Check conditions in the region locally before travelling.

Nearby

Ndop is north-west; Bamessing lies on the same road.