The California African American Museum (CAAM) co-hosted “A Night in Cameroon,” presented by the Minister of Arts and Culture of Cameroon, Ama T. Muna.  Cameroon, a country in west Central Africa, bordered by Nigeria, is known for its vibrant arts, both modern and traditional.  The evening highlighted Cameroon’s extraordinary cuisines, dances and music.  Minister Muna will launch the first national museum in Cameroon this year.

Guest feasted on traditional Cameroon food prepared by Chef Emile Engoulou Engoulou, who traveled from Cameroon’s capital, Yaoundé, to present the delicious cuisine and delicatessen.  The country’s generous nature offers greens, roots, nuts, spices, meat and fish, along with other ingredients from its beaches, rivers, deserts, mountains, rainforest and savanna.  Cameroon ballet dancers and the sounds of Cameroon music entertained guests while they dined.

Cameroon’s Ministry of Arts and Culture is actively implementing a strategy for promoting, developing and preserving the national, cultural heritage through a recently adopted law that includes financial and tax incentives aimed at sponsors and donors.  Artists, celebrities, philanthropists and personalities from the Los Angeles area, who are well known for their commitment to the promotion of art and culture, were invited to experience Cameroon through this celebration.  Among distinguished guest included Senator Curren Price, Assemblyman Mike Davis and actor Isaiah Washington, who was draped in African Dashiki.  To find out more about events at CAAM visit www.caamuseum.org or call (213) 744-7432.

About California African American Museum

      The California African American Museum (CAAM) researches, collects, preserves and interprets for public enrichment the history, art and culture of African Americans. Chartered by the California State Legislature in 1977, CAAM is a state supported institution and a partner with the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization Friends, the Foundation of the California African American Museum. In addition to its permanent collection, CAAM hosts specially mounted exhibitions curated through loans and its own collection, and tours CAAM exhibitions throughout California and the nation. Located at 600 State Drive in Exposition Park, the museum is open to the public Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Sundays, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.  Parking in the adjacent lot is $10 all day. Enter the lot from Figueroa and 39^th Streets. Admission and workshop participation is always free.

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