Lamidat de Rey-Bouba, Cultural palace complex in North Region, Cameroon.
Lamidat de Rey-Bouba is a palace complex in Cameroon's North Region built on an expansive site enclosed by a high earthen wall with multiple entrances. The compound divides into different functional zones including residential quarters, administrative areas, and ceremonial spaces connected by broad walkways throughout the grounds.
The palace was constructed between 1805 and 1808 during the reign of Ngjidda and became the administrative center of the Lamidat. This founding period established the spatial and political framework that has continued to define the site.
The palace layout reflects how leadership and authority are organized in the region, with distinct spaces for the Lamido and his court that show daily governance in action. The arrangement of residential and administrative areas reveals the social order and traditions that continue to shape community life.
The site is easy to explore on foot thanks to broad paths connecting the different zones, making navigation straightforward. Visitors should expect natural ground conditions and allow enough time to fully explore the expansive compound at a leisurely pace.
The earthen wall surrounding the compound varies in thickness, revealing how builders adapted construction techniques and materials based on structural needs. This variation demonstrates the practical engineering knowledge available to the architects of the time.
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