Fon of Bafut

Once autocratic, the Fondom of Bafut was turned into a part of the German protectorate of Cameroon (Kamerun Schutzgebiet) due to increasing tension, military conflict, and finally defeat at the hands of the Germans in the Bafut Wars (1901–1907) during the reign of Abumbi I.

The strength of the Kwifor lay in its role as a council of kingmakers; it was thus a check on royal power.

The Germans tried to put a puppet ruler in place of the Fon after the Bafut Wars, but failed.

The idea of decentralised governance by local people was put into practice in July 1917 in the British Cameroon when the District officer inaugurated an 'Instructional Court' in Bamenda.

The court proved only mildly successful, but his son Achirimbi II was very tolerant of the British.

Some of the most important ones are: The grass-cutting ceremony and the annual dance were described by Gerald Durrell in detail in his accounts The Bafut Beagles, and A Zoo in My Luggage.

Its buildings represent both colonial influences and indigenous vernacular architectural styles, and are mostly made of fired bricks covered by tiles.

Only one building from the original palace stands – it is supposed to shelter the spirit of the Fon's ancestors.