Created in 2006, the Collectif du Patrimoine des Comores is a non-governmental organization whose objective is to safeguard the heritage of the Comoros in all its forms. He is the one who managed the previous financing searches, the projects already carried out, and who is at the initiative of this crowdfunding operation.
The Collectif du Patrimoine des Comores has notably worked with the Ecole Nationale Supérieure d'Architecture et de Paysage de Lille (ENSAPL) and the CHAM association (Chantier d'Architecture Médiévale). He has managed funds from UNESCO, the AFPC (Ambassador Fund for Cultural Preservation), the AIMF (Association Internationale des Mairies Francophones), the French Embassy in the Comoros, the French Ministry of Culture, as well as many private donors. Outside Ujumbe, the Collectif du Patrimoine des Comores has worked on the identification of Comorian heritage (link to UNESCO site) and initiated the restoration work on the Mutsamudu citadel.
Its president, Mrs Fatima Boyer, was awarded the Order of Knights of Arts and Letters by the French Ministry of Culture in 2017 for all the actions undertaken to safeguard and promote Comorian cultural heritage.
After the disappearance of the last representatives of the family of the sultans occupying the palace, it was returned to the heritage of the city of Mutsamudu, which unfortunately never had the means to maintain it and could not count on the equally destitute State services to help it. Particularly isolated, the Comoros archipelago has few resources, apart from agriculture and fishing.
In 2008, following the collapse of a vestibule at the entrance to the building, a first wave of mobilization took place under the impetus of a Comorian association, the Collectif du Patrimoine des Comores. The monument was inscribed on the WMF (World Monument Fund), which made it possible to raise funds, conduct studies and begin its restoration.
From 2010 to 2017, various projects followed one another, other financing was acquired, but for an insufficient amount to be able to complete work that was often difficult and full of unforeseen circumstances.
Currently, restoration work has progressed well, but is struggling to find new funding, particularly from institutions that have already contributed to previous projects. The use of crowdfunding will broaden the circle of donors and allow more people to discover this building and the architecture of the Comoros.
Our project aims to continue and finalize the restoration work begun. After various complementary appraisals, it is essentially a question of setting up worksites aimed on the one hand at consolidating the shell and repairing the external plasters, and on the other hand at restoring the original decorations inside the building (ornamented boxes, engraved and calligraphic beams, painted ceilings, plasters, stucco niches, moucharabiehs, sculpted doors). Finally, various elements to enhance the monument must be put in place (lighting, outdoor environment).
In addition, as in previous projects, groups of trainee workers will be supported by the site manager and team leaders to learn restoration techniques.
What is the status of the Ujumbe's work, what remains to be done?
The last two projects in 2016 and 2017 made it possible to continue the work of
masonry and renovation of the main facades, but it remains to be done:
- Clear, consolidate and coat the other two facades
- Lighten and redo the flat roof
- Replace or consolidate many wooden beams
- Restore interior plasters and decorations
Like the previous ones, this work requires the expertise of a site manager specialising in historic monuments, even though workers have been trained in Comoros in masonry and carpentry to carry out the work.
- conversion of the ground floor into a museum (manufacture of furniture, collection gathering)
- beautification of the building's surroundings
- UNESCO
- The AFCP (Ambassdor Fund for Cultural Preservation - Madagascar)
- The French Ministry of Culture
- DACOI (Department of Cultural Affairs for the Indian Ocean)
- The French Cooperation Mission in Moroni
- ENSAPL (Ecole Nationale Supérieure de l'Architecture et du Paysage de Lille)
- Comorian associations (WEA)
