Design unveiled for the first local Bahá’í temple in Cameroon

BATOURI, Cameroon — In the language of the Gbaya people of eastern Cameroon, the word gbàssàrà means three things at once: the pillar that bears the weight of a family home, a bird whose song guides the hunter through the forest, and the instrument whose sound carries through the village to call the community together. The design unveiled today for the local Bahá’í House of Worship that will rise on land beside the Kadey River draws on this single metaphor, giving architectural form to what the temple will become: a pillar of collective spiritual strength, a guide in the search for truth, and a summoner to the unity of humankind.

Some 1,000 participants gathered at the site yesterday—local officials, traditional leaders, members of national, regional, and local Bahá’í institutions, and children, youth and adults from surrounding villages—drawn together in a spirit of anticipation.

Matala Kassara Hilaire, a traditional leader of a nearby village, had given voice to that same anticipation earlier, at a spontaneous gathering held in joy after the announcement of the temple’s design unveiling. “We are truly proud,” he said. “Our community has been blessed with a temple.” Aware that other local Houses of Worship are being raised across the world, he stated that, in his eyes, each of them is a beacon in its own land.

“What is happening elsewhere,” said Chief Hilaire, “is now also happening in Batouri.”

Speaking at the event, Godlive Mboke, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Cameroon, reflected on the nature of the temple. “The Bahá’í writings refer to the House of Worship as a Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, meaning ‘Dawning-place of the Praise of God,’” he said.

Mr. Mboke added that these Bahá’í temples embody a new conception of spaces for worship. While they serve as sanctuaries for prayer and meditation, they are also centers of unity for all peoples where the harmony between worship and service to humanity finds practical expression.

Alain Pierre Djoulde, member of the Continental Board of Counsellors in Africa, spoke of the principles that would animate the future House of Worship. “The first is the unity of humanity, which will be manifested by the fact that hundreds of people from different religious backgrounds and every part of society will come together to praise and worship God in this place,” he said.

Mr. Djoulde continued, describing the House of Worship as a place dedicated to education that would foster the development of individual and collective capacities and channel them toward the progress of community life. “It will inspire service,” he said, explaining what happens when people of different backgrounds, with diverse skills and interests, come together with the explicit purpose of contributing to the betterment of their neighborhoods and villages. “Areas such as health, agriculture, and the advancement of women will be positively impacted. This will be a contribution to society beyond this locality.”

The architects described how the surrounding landscape shaped their work. The Kadey River, a quiet presence in the area, inspired the line of approach to the temple: a path that echoes the river’s arcs, guiding visitors on a contemplative walk toward the House of Worship.

“The design concept is tied to the local bird known as gbàssàrà,” explained Nde Facorb, one of the project architects. Nine such birds, standing upright, rise toward a common point at their crowns to form the central edifice, evoking unity in diversity.

Local crafts and architectural traditions are also incorporated into the design itself. “The dome, shaped like traditional gable-roofed houses, will allow light to enter, and extensions will form a shaded space for visitors,” added Ali Tiati, another of the architects. “The openings in the walls will reflect local industries such as farming and weaving, allowing light to radiate inside the temple.”

Damboura Moïse, the head chief of Batouri, stated: “The arrival of this temple makes real the message of our ancestors, who said that we must welcome everyone. That is the spirit of the temple—it is open to all.”

Batouri’s mayor, Auberlin Mbelessa, similarly reflected on the significance of a place dedicated to worship in the village. “Whenever a place is dedicated to God,” he said, “we must rejoice and work for the success of the project.”