AFRICA: ONE CONTINENT. MANY WORLDS | AFRICAN STORIES | CAMEROON

A double-headed serpent stands for the Bamum

Just as the bald eagle stands for the United States of America, so the double-headed serpent stands for the Bamum kingdom. In the 1800s, King Mbuembue (hm-BOM-bo) made the double-headed snake Bamum royalty's most important symbol. Its two heads remind the Bamum people of this king's heroic army, which once fought enemies on two fronts at the same time-and won. Inside the snake is a double-gorged bell. This bell's twin chimes were a call to arms-when they rang out, Bamum warriors rushed to where the fighting was at its thickest, and most deadly.

The spider symbolizes wisdom. According to Bamum legend, spiders carry messages between humans and the Creator.

This page is part of the "AFRICA: One Continent. Many Worlds." web site. All photographic images and text contained within these web pages ARE COPYRIGHTED and may not be commerically reproduced, or utilized in any manner, without the prior written consent of the owner. Select this text for more information.

jca