The palace of the Fon of Mankon — the traditional ruler of one of the most important Tikar chiefdoms in the Grassfields — sits in a walled compound in the southern part of Bamenda. The complex of conical thatched houses, decorated wooden doorways, and the central audience hall is one of the most important pieces of vernacular architecture in Cameroon.
A small ethnographic museum in the compound displays masks, royal regalia, and Tikar carvings; entry is by ticket and a guide is usually required. The reigning Fon still uses parts of the palace; ceremonies on traditional holidays are sometimes open to respectful visitors.