Arbre à palabres, Contemporary metal sculpture in Bonanjo district, Douala, Cameroon
The Arbre à palabres (Bonambappe) is a contemporary metal sculpture in the Bonanjo district of Douala, constructed from painted iron rods and branches. Colored glass fragments are attached throughout the structure to resemble leaves, reaching approximately 5 meters in height, with wooden benches integrated into the trunk for seating.
The installation replaced a former meeting tree in Bonaberi that had fallen in 1993, following negotiations between community leaders and artist Frederic Keiff. The project emerged from the need to restore this meaningful gathering point for the community.
The structure represents a modern interpretation of traditional meeting places where village chiefs once gathered to discuss and decide community matters. Visitors can directly experience this symbolic connection to local heritage when sitting beneath the branches.
The site is located near three historical landmarks and features wooden benches integrated into the structure for rest and contemplation. The location is best visited during daylight hours to fully appreciate the colored glass as sunlight illuminates the branches.
Glass and plastic fragments attached to the metal branches create constantly shifting color patterns as sunlight passes through throughout the day. This effect makes the sculpture appear different depending on the time of day and weather conditions.
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