Boganda National Museum

Step into the rich cultural heritage of the Central African Republic at the Boganda National Museum (Musée National Boganda), also known as the Barthélémy Boganda National Ethnographic Museum. Located in the Rue du Languedoc region of the capital city, Bangui, this national institution was founded in 1964, opened in 1966, and named in honor of the country's first prime minister, Barthélemy Boganda.

While the museum has been closed to the public since the 2013–14 Central African Republic Civil War—during which the building was sadly ransacked—it remains an extraordinary testament to the nation's diverse history. Remarkably, despite past looting, the majority of its 3,500 artifacts remain safely at the site, carefully stored in large wooden crates inside the building to protect them.

The museum's vast holdings capture the culture and ethnography of all 16 provinces of the country, with dedicated sections for archaeology, natural history, and ethnography. Among its collections, you will find a special focus on the pygmy ethnic group, alongside historic coins, pottery, traditional African masks, musical instruments, weapons, hunting tools, and religious objects that beautifully document the region's vibrant identity.

What to see at Boganda National Museum

• Collections representing all 16 provinces of the Central African Republic
• A specialized collection focusing on the pygmy ethnic group
• Displays covering ethnography, archaeology, and local natural history
• Cultural artifacts including traditional African masks, pottery, and historic coins
• A historic collection of musical instruments, weapons, hunting tools, and religious objects

Visiting tips

Please note that the museum building has been closed to the public since the 2013–14 civil war, with the majority of its 3,500 artifacts preserved in wooden storage crates inside.

How long: 1 hour · Best time: Morning

How to get there & what’s nearby

Boganda National Museum is easy to reach on Bangui’s public transport. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Bangui travel guide.