Story, Louvier Kindo Tombe
Dr. Aghogah Louis has donated two cultural portraits to the Buea Public Museum, following a formal handover to the staff of the Regional Delegation of Arts and Culture, South West Region (SWR). The initiative forms part of efforts to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of Kedjom Keku, a village in Tubah Subdivision, North West region of Cameroon.
The first portrait represents Fon Philip Vubangsi, one of the most renowned traditional leaders of the land and father of the present Fon of Kedjom Keku, His Royal Majesty Vutsiboung Benjamin Vubangsi. The artwork honours his leadership and enduring legacy within the fondom.
The second portrait depicts the Ndzowain Dance, a traditional women’s dance performed mainly during joyful occasions such as the birth of a child or the celebration of a successful event. The dance symbolizes unity, celebration, and the central role of women in transmitting cultural values.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, staff of the Regional Delegation of Arts and Culture, SWR, welcomed the donation, describing it as a valuable contribution to the preservation of Cameroon’s rich cultural diversity. They noted that the portraits will enhance the museum’s permanent collection and serve as educational material for the public, researchers, and students.
Dr. Aghogah Louis explained that the donation seeks to “promote Kedjom Keku’s cultural heritage, create awareness of the values and norms of the fondom, and project the visibility of the Kedjom people, a majority of whom are settled in the South West Region”.
The delegation commended the initiative and encouraged similar contributions from community members and cultural stakeholders to strengthen public heritage institutions.
Through this donation, Kedjom Keku culture secures a lasting presence within a national heritage space, offering visitors an opportunity to connect with its history, leadership, and traditions.
Who is Louis Aghogah Wihbongale
Louis Aghogah Wihbongale is a native of Kedjom Keku in Cameroon’s North West Region. He holds a PhD in History, with a specialization in Heritage and Museum Studies.
He has served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Department of History, Heritage, and International Studies at the University of Bamenda, and has also lectured at the Higher Institute of Petroleum and Logistics (HIPAL) in Bamenda. Additionally, he was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Department of History at the University of South Africa (UNISA), Pretoria.
His research interests include Museums, Cultural Heritage Studies, Photography, Art History, Culture, Tourism, and Public History. He has published in reputable academic journals and contributed chapters to scholarly books.
Dr. Aghogah Wihbongale is a member of the Arts Council of the African Studies Association (ACASA) and the Association for the Promotion of African Studies (APAS). He is also the Chief Executive Officer of Cameroon Museum Fans (CAMUFA).
