The Palace of Rey Bouba was the seat of power for the Lamidat (

sultanate This article includes a list of successive Islamic states and Muslim dynasties beginning with the time of the Islamic prophet Muhammad (570–632 CE) and the early Muslim conquests that spread Islam outside of the Arabian Peninsula, and continui ...

) of the same name. It is located within the city of

Rey Bouba Rey Bouba is a city in North Region, Cameroon. The Palace of Rey Bouba is located within the city. See also *Communes of Cameroon The Arrondissements of Cameroon are the third-level units of administration in Cameroon. The arrondissements ...

in the North Province of

Cameroon Cameroon (; french: Cameroun, ff, Kamerun), officially the Republic of Cameroon (french: République du Cameroun, links=no), is a country in west-central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west and north; Chad to the northeast; the C ...

Site description

The

palace A palace is a grand residence, especially a royal residence, or the home of a head of state or some other high-ranking dignitary, such as a bishop or archbishop. The word is derived from the Latin name palātium, for Palatine Hill in Rome which ...

itself covers approximately five hectares. It is surrounded by a high enclosing wall of approximately seven metres, with a central entry in the southern frontage. The interior of the palace comprises courses, vegetable gardens and several districts. Districts include ''

Lamido Lamido (Adlam: , pl. Lamibe ) is the Anglicisation of a term from the Fula language or Fulfulde, used to refer to a ruler. In the language it is properly ''laamiiɗo'' (, pl. ''laamiiɓe'' ), derived from the verbal root ''laamu-'' meaning "lead ...

'' (

Sultan Sultan (; ar, سلطان ', ) is a position with several historical meanings. Originally, it was an Arabic abstract noun meaning "strength", "authority", "rulership", derived from the verbal noun ', meaning "authority" or "power". Later, it ...

) compound, the artisanal activities, servants, administrative staff, hosts of mark, breeding, foodstuff storage facilities, and dwellings. On the structural level the palace consists of a great wall of 800 m length and 7 m height, with a 1.50 m thickness at the base and 0.5 m at the top. Partition walls separate the various districts. The great enclosure wall comprises 6 doors which have the particular function of allowing entry and exit. Important sections include the courtroom of Lamido (Sultan) and the large court of distribution for the various districts. Between the various districts, there are large traveling tracks which are rights of way. The hall and the courtroom are important buildings in the operation of the palace. The first is used both as entry and waiting room for Lamido's closest nobles. The courtroom is the place where the sovereign spends the most time in his day. The first enclosure of the palace, in the great wall covers approximately 3 ha, it is there that the Lamido resides. In the second enclosure to the north are the dwellings of nobles as well as major children of Lamido or Yérima as well as important persons in charge of defense. The primary festival area is located in the southern part of the palace, and the nobles' quarters are situated around it.

History

It was built under the Ngjidda reign (1798 - 1866) between 1805 and 1808.Le Lamidat de Rey-Bouba - UNESCO World Heritage Centre
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World Heritage status

This site was added to the

UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture. It ...

World Heritage A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). World Heritage Sites are designated by UNESCO for h ...

Tentative List on April 18, 2006 in the Cultural category.

Notes

References

Le Lamidat de Rey-Bouba - UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Accessed on 2009-02-23. {{coord missing, Cameroon Residential buildings in Cameroon