Babungo Fons and people in the North West Region excel in art works that are a reference in the grassfield area.

For observers, Babungo is first of all the story of past and present Fons with a knack for the recruitment of young and beautiful lads as royal queens. That perhaps; explains how late Fon Zofoa II wedded and loved over 72 wives with 512 surviving princes and princesses as off springs during his 44 years on the throne. Babungo or better still; "Bavengo" is the village and collection of settlers who belong to one family, planted on the Ring road that stretches from Bamenda through Kumbo. It is the oldest of the 13 villages of Ngoketunjia Division in the North West Region. Love features prominently on the daily activities of the people who are also known to be original and great producers of Art works. Driven not only by the love for Art production, Babungo people excel with their gift of remarkable artistic heritage and a lot to offer in master pieces of African art.

In all, records are public about Babungo as a reference in African art with past and present Fons who excel as sculptors. Among the lot of 25 Fons who have led the village to prominence as the Kaiser of Iron metallurgy and splendour of royal art are; Nyichikau, Nyifuan and Saingi II. Historians like Jean Paul Notué and Emmauel Nchio Minkee in the "Treasures of the sculptor kings in Cameroon" reveal the artistic creations and quality of iron works produced in Babungo. It is all about works that depict sources of history and expression of the authority of Fons of yesteryears, notables, customary societies and above all works which reflect the way of life of grassfield people. Today, such works are better perceived with an outing or visit to the Babungo royal museum planted at the gateway into the palace.

It is a real touristic attraction which displays masks, statues, costumes, adornments, musical instruments etc. April 25, 2009 was a day in Babungo when sons and daughters filed out to count the blessings of their past and present Fons. During the event we were told that late Fon Zofoa II who emerged great in the art of carving, hunting and smiting assembled most of the masterpieces of art works in the museum. He also takes credit for representing Cameroon in the 1977 Black African Festival of Art (FESTAC) in Lagos, Nigeria and retired with the 3rd African Prize in carving. Another source of inspiration is the credibility of Babungo as an important Centre of iron production with many villagers involved in iron work and the production of coal with "Finkwi" quarter as the centre for Babungo blacksmiths. On sale in virtually all markets in the North West region and beyond are knives, machetes, daggers, arrowheads, hoes, ceremonial staffs made in Babungo.

Back in the museum there is a lot to see in arts work that conscretely depict the past, present and messages from men of the past and those of today. Available for the eyes include life size statues which are on the whole expressive. Many represent people seated or standing with their legs bent to varying degrees. Some of them carry eyes that express serenity, majesty and treats of mystery. A son of Babungo; Colday Ndofekeh Olivier says some of the statues in the museum are figurative and some associated with traditional powers are kept away from the museum. Away from statues there are several masks in the Babungo museum and palace some of which are covered with cowries and beads. Portable ceremonial stools, sculpted staffs, containers, and other architectural elements are on display representing masks, furniture and the insignia of power and costumes.

The great art work of Babungo people is not by accident. The village sculptors worked to transmit their know-how to generations. They ensured transitions between the old and the young by training younger artists. Among past and present artists that have excelled in Babungo include late Simbo Melang who excelled in carving and hunting. Protus Bofua Julius Ndifor, the author of "Artists in Babungo." Other sons of the village like Nchia Kumeghe, Simbo Njinuh, Tah Wembai, Tita Sonjong, Tih Fuembui as renowned weavers, architects, carvers and smiths. In one lump, Babungo is all about a people deeply gifted in art works. It is said that their original inspiration was their love for art. That explains why most of the products were stored at home or were given out to visitors especially to visiting whites as souvenirs. That is perhaps; not the case today with the Babungo museum that assembles such art works for tourist.