JOURNAL OF THE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES Vol. 16 No. 3 (MARCH 2021) Research Article Wildlife collections of Royal Palace Museums in The of Cameroon with a Focus on wildlife conservation.

Mohamed Mounir Mfonden Poumie 1, Peter Coals 2, 3, Félix Meutchieye 4*, Olivier Miantsia Fokam1 1 Department of Forestry, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of , Cameroon. [email protected] P.O. Box 222 Dschang. 2Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Recanati- Kaplan Centre, Tubney House, Abingdon Road, Tubney, OX13 5QL, UK. [email protected] 3School of Animal, Plant & Environmental Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa. 4Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, Cameroon. [email protected] P.O. Box 222 Dschang *Corresponding author

Abstract The royal palace museums of the Grassfields’ Kingdoms of West Region of Cameroon are well recognized for the preservation of culturally significant objects and practices. To date, the role of palace museums in wildlife conservation has received little consideration. Herein, a preliminary study into the animal- based artefacts of palace museums from a wildlife conservation perspective is presented. A total of 11 chiefdom palace museums in the West Region of Cameroon were surveyed and the animal species represented in their exhibitions recorded. Parts of 32 different animal species, including locally extinct large mammals such as lion, cheetah, chimpanzee, and elephant were found. The primary purpose for inclusion of specimens in palace museums was for preservation of culture. However, potential wildlife conservation focused uses to which palace museums may also put their collections are discussed herein. KeyWords: Grassfields, Bamileke, Bamoun, Culture, Education, Mammals.

Résumé Les musées du palais royal des royaumes des Grassfields de la région de l’Ouest Cameroun sont bien connus pour la préservation d’objets et de pratiques culturellement significatifs. À ce jour, le rôle des musées de palais dans la conservation de la faune a été peu pris en compte. Ici, une étude préliminaire des collections animales de ces musées du point de vue de la conservation de la faune est présentée. Onze musées de palais de chefferies de la région de l’Ouest Cameroun ont été étudiés et les espèces animales représentées dans leurs expositions ont été enregistrées. Des parties de 32 espèces animales différentes, y compris de grands mammifères localement disparus comme le lion, le guépard, le chimpanzé et l’éléphant ont été découverts. Le but principal de l’inclusion de spécimens dans les musées du palais est la préservation de la culture. Cependant, les utilisations potentielles axées sur la conservation de la faune auxquelles les musées de palais peuvent également mettre leurs collections sont discutées ici. Mots clés:

Received: 18/12/2020 Accepted: 17/01/2021 DOI: https//dx.doi.org/10.4314/jcas.v16i2.5 © The Authors. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence. 249 REVUE DE L’ACADEMIE DES SCIENCES DU CAMEROUN Vol. 16 No. 3 (mars 2021)

the hierarchical structure of chieftaincies, Introduction especially pertaining to the accessibility of objects The Grassfields region of western Cameroon is of cultural significance and sites of sacred renowned for its traditional chiefdoms mysteries (Fubah, 2016a). Amongst the aims of (chieftaincies), represented by Kings or Fons, and modern-style museums is the protection of in particular their royal palaces and treasuries. The cultural and artistic heritage, training and presence of treasuries in royal palaces pre-dates employment of young people, and the general colonial conceptions of museums in Cameroon promotion of cultural and economic development and speaks to a tradition of the preservation of (Fubah, 2013). Modern-style museums appear to artefacts and objects of cultural significance be generally accepted and have recently increased amongst Grassfields Kingdoms (Fubah, 2016a). in number despite concerns over the exposure of Royal residences of the chieftaincies were secret and mystical objects which traditionally traditional centers of political, economic, and contribute to the status of the Fons (Fubah, social affairs (Ghomsi, 1985). Although colonial 2016b). and post-colonial administrations have brought considerable changes in governance to Scholarship concerning the treasuries and Cameroonian society, local kingdoms and their museums of the Grassfields has taken a range of associated chieftaincies continue to have perspectives; with anthropological, sociological, contemporary cultural and political significance artistic, and political veins of thought in western Cameroon (Rowlands, 2011; Grace, predominating (e.g. Rowlands, 1985; Geary, 2015). Traditional royal treasuries have been 1988). In addition, consideration has been given considered to be a representation of the power to the ecological value of traditional sacred sites base of kingdoms through display of material and within Grassfields palace complexes, particularly religious objects (Fubah, 2016a). The treasuries sacred forest groves which serve as ecological also serve as cultural archives and may foster a refugia in deforested surroundings (Fomin, 2008). sense of belonging and oneness in kingdoms’ Sacred natural sites are well recognized as people from generation to generation (Afigbo, important contributors to biodiversity 1986). The roles of treasuries and religious shrines conservation (e.g. Rutte, 2011; Anderson, 2016). are traditionally intertwined; as places to cater For example, Angwafo & Chuo (2016) state that for secret societies and the gods of the land and traditional knowledge, through certain dietary also containing works of art and depictions of prohibitions and rituals, contributes to the the evolution of that particular society (Talla, conservation of gorillas, chimpanzees, and 2003). buffalo in North-West Cameroon. Increased consideration of traditional uses of wildlife in There is a documented growing interest in more Cameroon has been suggested to help solve ‘modern-style’ palace museums amongst the important conservation problems related to Grassfields’ Kingdoms (Fubah, 2013). Modern- wildlife management and traditional stewardship style museums are typified by movement away (Bobo & Weladji, 2011). from private and restricted royal treasuries to openly displayed collections with wider Symbolism attached to animals is an important accessibility to the public (Fubah, 2016a). Such aspect of Grasslands cultures, where animal presentations of cultural materials have been products and artistic representations fulfil a suggested to act as a democratizing force within variety of purposes, including traditional

250 JOURNAL OF THE CAMEROON ACADEMY OF SCIENCES Vol. 16 No. 3 (MARCH 2021) medicine, decoration, and exemplification of a each organises itself in sub-groups which fall range of cultural and traditional values (Bobo & under the leadership of traditional Chiefs (Fons). Ntumwel, 2010). Animal products are thus often These chieftaincies are hierarchically organised; the West region of Cameroon counts 11 first- represented in royal treasuries and palace degree chieftaincies, 108 second degree and over museums. five hundred third degree. In this study only first- degree chieftaincies were considered: The The highland regions of western Cameroon are Bamoun sultanate in the Division; noted for high levels of vertebrate endemism (e.g. , Bangang and of the Division WWF, 2020). However, the region is subject to of ; Foto and Bafou of the extensive human encroachment which has led to Division; Banka and Bana of the Higher Division; Bamougoum of the Division of ; the loss of much of its native large fauna Bangangte of the Division of Nde; and (Lamarque et al., 1990; Ingram & Nsom, 2007; of the Division of Koung-khi (Figure 1). Pemunta & Anye, 2019). Indeed, none of the highland ecoregion is formally protected (WWF Survey tool 2020) and large mammals such as elephant, lion, Data were collected through semi-structured and buffalo have been extirpated (e.g. Maisels et questionnaires presented to royal palace museum al., 2001). Herein we consider the collections of staff. Relevant questions to this work concerned the royal palace museums of the Grassfields the animal specimens or derivatives present in the Kingdoms from a wildlife conservation displays. Specifically, staff were asked to list the perspective. Little has been written about the names of species present in displays, which were wildlife conservation potential of the specimens then verified using field guides and online image contained within the collections of royal palaces searches. The particular body part used in the in Cameroon; with the majority of existing work display was also recorded along with the primary having focused instead on cultural preservation. reason for the animal being in the collection which As a preliminary investigation into the wildlife included indication of its cultural symbolism. We conservation potential of palace museum also noted whether a number of basic pieces of collections, in a region that is largely devoid of information generally associated with samples in large wild fauna, we systematically documented ‘scientific-style’ zoological museum collections wildlife species on display in royal palace and the permitting regulations for the possession museums in the Grassfields of the West Region of animal products in Cameroon were recorded of Cameroon and discuss the wildlife collections with the sample. This information pertained to: of royal palace museums with respect to collector’s name and address, species of sample, contemporary wildlife conservation. sex of sample, age/life-stage of sample, reproductive status of sample, location of sample Materials and Methods origin, date of collection, and sample This study focused on chieftaincies in the measurements. Grassfields of the West Region of Cameroon. The West Region is the smallest of Cameroon’s ten regions by area, yet it has one of the highest population densities in Cameroon. The region is dominated by two major ethnic groups: the Bamileke and the Bamoun (Marchal & Perrois, 1993). The groups share cultural similarities and

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Figure 1: Location of palace museums of first-degree chieftaincies within the West Region of Cameroon. Results were the most frequently encountered samples of In total 32 animal species were recorded in the animals (38, 45.8%), followed by horn (11, collections of royal palace museums. The most 13.3%), then crown (cranium) (9, 10.8%) (Figure commonly represented species was buffalo 5). The mode of presentation is generally within (Syncerus caffer) (19), followed by duiker species the framework of narrating the history of the (Cephalophus sp.) (9), and leopard (Panthera pardus) chieftaincy or the unfolding of specific cultural (6). Notable other large mammal species recorded events or rituals for which each animal object was in museums that have been extirpated or are recorded to have a special significance. generally believed to be absent from the highland It was noted that the majority of basic Grassfields region included, amongst others, lion, information relating to exhibit samples was cheetah, chimpanzee, and elephant (Table 1). unknown (Table 2).

The primary role of the presence of animal parts in royal palace museums is for cultural conservation (see Appendix 1). Animal parts are thus typically displayed as works of art and other products (Figure 2) and not as ‘scientific’ zoological specimens, though some are represented as preserved body parts (Figure 3) and full or partial skins (Figure 4). Indeed, skins

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Table 1: Species found in palace museums in the West Region, Cameroon.

No. Species Frequency Present in the West Region (modern day) (Yes/No)

Common Name Scientific Name 1 Brush-tailed porcupine Atherurus africanus 3 Yes 2 Bushbuck Tragelaphus sylvaticus 1 Yes 3 African Buffalo Syncerus caffer 19 Yes 4 Cheetah Acinonyx jubatus 1 No 5 Chimpanzee Pan paniscus 2 No 6 Cobra Naja spp. 2 Yes 7 Cow Bos taurus 1 Yes 8 Cowry Cypraea spp. 2 No 9 Crocodile Crocodylus nitoticus 1 No 10 Duiker Cephalophus spp. 9 Yes 11 Elephant Loxodonta africana africana 3 No 12 Genet Genetta genetta 1 No 13 Capra spp. 1 Yes 14 Green mamba Dendroaspis jamesoni 1 Yes 15 Guinea fowl Numida meleagris 1 Yes 16 Hartebeest Alcelaphus buselaphus 2 Yes 17 Hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibius 3 Yes 18 Horse Equus spp. 1 Yes 19 Leopard Panthera pardus 6 No 20 Lion Panthera leo 3 No 21 Mussels Mytilus spp. 2 No 22 Porcupinefish Diodon nicthemerus 1 No 23 Puku Kobus vardoni 2 Yes 24 Python Python sabae 1 Yes 25 Red Viper Atheris squamigera 2 No 26 Sable antelope Hippotragus niger 1 Yes 27 Sassaby Damaliscus lunatus 2 Yes 28 Turtle Chelonia spp. 1 No 29 Ovis aries 2 Yes 30 Sitatunga Tragelaphus spekei 4 No 31 Sparrow hawk Accipiter spp. 1 Yes 32 African bush viper Atheris spp. 1 Yes

253 REVUE DE L’ACADEMIE DES SCIENCES DU CAMEROUN Vol. 16 No. 3 (mars 2021) Appendix 1: Reasons for the presence of trophies in museums Species Part Cultural use General cultural significance Common name Scientific name Brush-tailed porcupine Atherurus Spine Headgear Protection africanus Bushbuck Tragelaphus Skin Mat for notables Prestige sylvaticus Buffalo Syncerus caffer Skin Shield Protection Fabricate fetish bag Mystical Produce warriors' drum Ethno-music Crown Seat for "Mfonpit" (the Prestige minister of defence) at the first ministry of the Bamoun kingdom Horn Royal cup Prestige Flute used for communication Ethno-music during wars Tail Produce royal whip Prestige Warrior's headgear Prestige Cheetah Acinonyx jubatus Skin Royal mat Prestige Chimpanzee Pan paniscus Tooth Soothsaying Mystical Skull Placed on soothsayer's calabash Mystical Cow Bos taurus Horn Communal cup Utensil Duiker Cephalophus Skin Common drums Ethno-music monticola Decorate fetish calabash Mystical Hoof Decorate royal pipes Prestige Elephant Loxodonta africana Bone Making jewelleries Decoration Jaw Making jewelleries Decoration Tooth Making jewelleries Decoration Defence to the throne Prestige Genet Genetta genetta Skin Royal mat Prestige Goat Capra spp. Horn Worn to execute the warrior Protection walk during the Nguon Hartebeest Alcelaphus buselaphus Crown Hide secret objects Mystical Execute the panjé (secret Totem society for the Bamouns) traditional dance Seat for the "Nkam" (notables) Prestige Hippopotamus Hippopotamus Jaw at the first ministry of the amphibius Bamoun kingdom Tail Treat poisoning Traditional medicine Skull Seat for the "Nkam" (notables) Prestige at the first ministry of the Bamoun kingdom Horse Equus spp. Tail Fabricate wipe for Bamileke Prestige chiefs and noblemen, a symbol of the victory of life over death Fabricate whip for the Bamoun Prestige princess Lion Panthera leo Skin Royal mat Prestige Totem to the person who Prestige carries to execute traditional dance Skull Trophy to great hunters Hunting trophy Puku Kobus vardoni Crown Hide secret objects Mystical Crown Trophy to hunters Hunting trophy 254 JOURNAL OF THE CAMEROON ACADEMY OF SCIENCES Vol. 16 No. 3 (MARCH 2021)

Crown Trophy to hunters Hunting trophy Sable antelope Hippotragus niger Crown Hide secret objects Mystical Sassaby Damaliscus lunatus Crown Totem to the person who Totem carries to execute traditional dance Hang on wells as marble Decoration Sheep Ovis aries Skin Mat Utensil Horn Fabricate objects for noble men Decoration Sitatunga Tragelaphus spekei Crown Hide secret objects Mystical Skin Mat for notables Prestige Horn Flute Ethno-music Totem to the person who Cobra Naja spp. Skin carries to execute traditional Totem dance Totem to the person who Crocodile Crocodylus nitoticus Skin carries to execute traditional Totem dance A serious threat to the Dendroaspis population who have become Green mamba Skin Others jamesoni breeders due to the bush meat crisis Totem to the person who Python Python sabae Skin carries to execute traditional Totem dance Totem to the person who Red viper Atheris squamigera Skin carries to execute traditional Totem dance Totem to the person who Turtle Chelonia spp. Carapace carries to execute traditional Totem dance Totem to the person who Viper Atheris spp. Skin carries to execute traditional Totem dance Guinea fowl Numida meleagris Feather Headgear Succession Sparrow hawk Accipiter spp. Feather Headgear Succession Porcupinefish Diodon nicthemerus Fins Totem securing the waters Totem Fabricate objects for noble Cowry Cypraea spp. Shell Decoration men Food and Currency monetary Fabricate objects for noble Mussels Mytilus spp. Shell Decoration men

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a.) Buffalo horn used as royal cup b.) Buffalo tail used as royal whip c.) Duiker skin used in drum d.) Porcupine spine used in traditional headgear Figure 2. Examples of animal-based cultural items displayed in Grassfield palace museums

Figure 3: Chimpanzee skull used for soothsaying.

a.) Leopard skin used as royal mat b.) Sitatunga skin used as mat Figure 4. Examples of animal skins on display in palace museums 256 JOURNAL OF THE CAMEROON ACADEMY OF SCIENCES Vol. 16 No. 3 (MARCH 2021)

Figure 5: Animal parts found in palace museums as a proportion of total exhibits observed

Table 2: Basic museum collection information associated with animal-based exhibits COLLECTOR'S NAME

Frequency Percentage (%) UNKNOWN 83 100 KNOWN 0 0 COLLECTOR'S ADDRESS

Frequency Percentage (%) UNKNOWN 83 100 KNOWN 0 0 SPECIES CONCERNED

Frequency Percentage (%) UNKNOWN 22 26,5 KNOWN 61 73,5 SPECIES' SEX

Frequency Percentage (%) UNKNOWN 83 100 KNOWN 0 0 SPECIES' ORIGIN

Frequency Percentage (%) UNKNOWN 83 100 KNOWN 0 0 SPECIES' AGE

Frequency Percentage (%) UNKNOWN 83 100 KNOWN 0 0 DATE OF COLLECTION

Frequency Percentage (%) UNKNOWN 77 92,8 KNOWN 6 7,2 SPECIES' HABITAT

Frequency Percentage (%) UNKNOWN 76 91,6 KNOWN 7 8,4 REPRODUCTIVE STATUS

Frequency Percentage (%) UNKNOWN 83 100 KNOWN 0 0 MESUREMENTS 257 REVUE DE L’ACADEMIE DES SCIENCES DU CAMEROUN Vol. 16 No. 3 (mars 2021)

Discussion damage and degradation is crucial in determining In this preliminary study, royal palace museums the eventual usefulness of the sample for genetic of the Grassfields, first class kingdoms in the purposes. It is unknown whether the samples West Region of Cameroon were surveyed and preserved in palace museums yield DNA of animal species represented by specimens sufficient quality, however with constant exhibited in their collections were recorded. The advances in ancient DNA extractions and analyses primary role of specimens in these museums is it may prove possible to produce reliable data for cultural purposes and are tied to traditional from samples of animals in palace museums – we practices of the Bamoun and Bamileke highlight this as a topic for future study. West chieftaincies. Nevertheless, samples of animals African populations of a number of the species present in palace museums might also serve we found represented in palace museums are potential roles relating to wildlife conservation. small, fragmented, and threatened. Ancient DNA Although the dates and locations of collection has proven useful in exploring the demographic of specimens were largely unknown it is likely history of fragmented wildlife populations and that many of the specimens are historical and setting conservation priorities; as has been seen hence may represent past populations of species for West African lion (Bertola et al., 2011; Barnett that are no longer found within the Grassfields et al., 2014; Henschel et al., 2014). However, of the West Region. Specifically, buffalo, pragmatically, we highlight the potentially elephant, hippopotamus, lion, cheetah, and unsuitable conditions of long-term storage and chimpanzee were represented in palace sample processing in palace museums that may collections. These species are largely extirpated have rendered samples unsuitable for robust or otherwise absent from much or all of the West genetic analyses. We also note the existence of Region of Cameroon (e.g. Lamarque, 1990; extensive historical wildlife collections held by Maisels et al., 2001; Bauer et al., 2015; Durant et former colonial powers and national museums, al., 2015; Hulme et al., 2016; Lewison et al., 2017; the preservation conditions of which may be more IUCN SSC Antelope Specialist Group, 2019). conducive to such studies. Even if of no great These samples may thus represent relics of past consequence to studies of the conservation populations of fauna of the West Region genetics of Cameroonian wildlife we suggest that Grasslands kingdoms that were historically the presence of samples in decentralised local collected locally. However, they could also be collections such as palace museums might, with items that have been brought into the kingdoms careful thought and development, usefully foster from further afield. Future work could usefully a sense of inclusivity in this aspect of ‘modern’ focus on determining the extent to which the wildlife conservation by the traditional leadership origins of these samples might be ascertained; and people of the Grassfields Kingdoms and through qualitative interviews, or genetic further mobilize the longstanding museum/ methods. collection culture of the region as an empowering post-colonial asset. The applications of historical museum samples to wildlife conservation have grown with the Further to the engagement of local people with burgeoning of Ancient DNA techniques, wildlife conservation and management, palace particularly the analysis of past wildlife museums represent a significant potential local populations as part of the field of conservation educational resource. In accordance with the genetics (Leonard, 2008). The extent of DNA history of palace collections and the more recent

258 JOURNAL OF THE CAMEROON ACADEMY OF SCIENCES Vol. 16 No. 3 (MARCH 2021) cultural educational aims surrounding the consideration of the role and purview of wildlife modernisation of collections these areas are conservation regulations in the management of already managed as inclusive educational spaces palace museums that inclusively consider a wide for both the local population and visitors (e.g. range of stakeholders to ensure the effective Fubah, 2013). Indeed, as wilderness symbolism preservation of both wildlife populations and continues to be an important aspect of the modern cultural traditions. material cultures of the region (e.g. Fubah, 2014), and given the importance of traditional Conclusion knowledge demonstrated for wildlife We found 32 animal species represented in the conservation in western Cameroon (e.g. Angwafo palace museum collections of Grassfields’ & Chuo, 2016), future work could usefully focus Kingdoms in the West Region of Cameroon, on exploring in depth the role of animal-based including several species that are locally extinct culturally-focused exhibits in contemporary in the region. Although the primary function of environmental education. these collections is cultural preservation, we believe there are additional benefits that may be Cameroon’s regulations concerning animal brought to wildlife conservation through these trophies and collections do not explicitly address collections. We particularly highlight the potential local and palace museum exhibits. Nevertheless, for decentralised, accessible museums to they do state that anybody wishing to keep wild contribute to local environmental education and animals, carcasses and trophies shall be required urge further holistic consideration of the to obtain a certificate of origin issued by the development of the educational potential of these services in charge of wildlife (Section 43, decree collections in relation to wildlife conservation. We no. 95-466-pm, 20 July 1995). The unknown are mindful of a lack of formal regulation of the provenance and age of many of the animal wildlife specimens of palace museums and derivatives displayed in palace museums may acknowledge potential complexities in the therefore be problematic from a regulatory application of regulations to these important perspective, particularly if contemporary cultural sites. We urge that careful consideration specimens of protected wildlife continue to be to be given to both the preservation of culture acquired by palace museums. Indeed, we heard and wildlife populations in the exhibition of that recent enthusiasm for museum collections animal specimens in the Grassfields Kingdoms. in the region may have stimulated the acquisition of new animal products by palace museums. We Authors contributions: suggest that chemical dating techniques may be MMMP & FM conceptualized the study. useful in better ascertaining the age of specimens MMMP collected data. MMMP wrote the first - particularly concerning whether they pre-date draft of the manuscript. PC & OMF assisted current wildlife harvesting regulations. Pemunta with framing the study and contributed to the & Anye (2019) highlight the need to balance writing of the final manuscript. FM supervised wildlife harvesting regulation with sensitivity to MMP. traditional cultural practice and note that without sensitive and reasonable alignment of regulatory Acknowledgements mechanisms with traditional uses wildlife The authors are thankful to all the traditional conservation aims might be jeopardised. rulers in the West Region of Cameroon. They also Likewise, we highlight the need for further extend special thanks to the inhabitants of the 259 REVUE DE L’ACADEMIE DES SCIENCES DU CAMEROUN Vol. 16 No. 3 (mars 2021)

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