Hervé Youmbi’s project, Les Trônes Célestes (“Celestial Thrones”) 2019, interrogates notions of governance through contemporary reinterpretation of the aesthetics of classical Bamiléké thrones from Cameroon.
Trônes consists of five carved seats embellished with colorful glass beads, each floating above a mirror-covered base. Sculpted in the manner of low ceremonial stools traditionally made as objects of status for African chiefs, the seats resemble five different animals: a tortoise, panther, buffalo, rhinoceros, and elephant. With the exception of the tortoise, Youmbi has deliberately chosen animals whose grandeur and ferocity are traditionally attributed to political leaders. The tortoise, however, as a symbol of patience and wisdom par excellence, is a deliberate divergence from its four zoomorphic companions, serving as a reminder that these qualities are equally indispensable in the practice of good governance. The political symbolism of these seats is further highlighted by proverbs inscribed on the bottom of each base, made visible by their mirrored reflection.
Trônes featured in the World Bank’s 10th annual art exposition, Aujourd’hui, curated by Simon Njami, on view from June 21 to February 20, 2020 at the National Museum of Cameroon. Formerly the residence of colonial French and then the newly liberated Cameroon’s first president, the National Museum currently serves as the country’s principal display of art and culture. Its history serves as inspiration for Youmbi’s site-specific work.
Trônes featured in the World Bank’s 10th annual art exposition, Aujourd’hui, curated by Simon Njami, on view from June 21 to February 20, 2020 at the National Museum of Cameroon. Formerly the residence of colonial French and then the newly liberated Cameroon’s first president, the National Museum currently serves as the country’s principal display of art and culture. Its history serves as inspiration for Youmbi’s site-specific work.
At the close of the exhibition, Youmbi planned to present the seats to five chiefs, to extend their function beyond objects of aesthetic appreciation to become also functional ceremonial objects. As the sculptures move between sites of contemporary culture and traditional power, they continue the artist’s longstanding interest in unsettling frameworks of art that govern exhibitions of African art in Western contexts.
In May 2020, prior the close of the exhibition Aujourd’hui, and in the presence of the museum’s director, Hervé Youmbi removed Le panthére, from the installation replacing the work with a label describing its transfer from the exhibition to his majesty Gabriel Ndjiemeni of the Fondanti chieftancy (Bandja, Haut-Nkam /east) who agreed to receive this throne and utilize it in the context of a Ku’ Ngang initiation ceremony, and in ongoing ceremonial contexts.
On November 27, 2021, Hervé Youmbi gifted the “La tortue” throne in a ceremony to Ngangoum Sylvestre, the chief of Balassié, Bandja district who is also a lawyer. Tortoises are symbolic of justice in this society. The ceremony took place after an important meeting with the chief and his notables, when the chief bestowed a title on Hervé denoting his importance as a noble of the village. This title, ‘Wambé Mbu Lah’ (one who elevates the village or country) is a result of Youmbi’s ongoing contributions to the community, including electrification, repairing the roofs of the ritual houses, and contributions to rebuilding the roads in the region.
On December 11th 2021, Hervé Youmbi travelled to the capital of the Bapa state for the gifting ceremony of the buffalo throne to the current ruler, Fe Simeu David, who has ruled since 1993. The Bapa state was founded in 1675; Fe Simeu David is the 11th fe. In this region, the buffalo is a symbol of victory.