Musée National N'Djamena (National Museum), N'Djamena, Chad

3deahh 5:00 PM Jan 29, 2012

Just moved to a nicer, new building
The National Museum in Chad is a worthwhile attraction if you have an afternoon free and are in town. The museum has just moved premises to a newer building on the outskirts of town, next to a building that will soon be the national library. Price was 3000 cfa for foreigners, 500 cfa for Chadians. A guide was included (French speaking). Make sure to ask to go upstairs to see the Toumai man exhibit (the world's oldest skeleton?).

3twcsingapore 5:00 PM Jul 28, 2012

Nice little museum
If you have nothing to do in N'Djamena and want to take some pictures in a city where outdoor photography is forbidden, this museum is the place to go. The ground floor has a small exhibition of items relating to Chadian history and anthropology. The captions are all in French but one could guess what they represent. Some of the items are generic and not original (e.g., photos of historical events) but there are a few prehistoric tools and masks which are interesting. Little of the exhibits carry elaborate captions or background stories that would help one learn about Chad. One may be entirely lost if one does not have some basic knowledge of Chadian history or culture. The 2nd level has some natural history exhibits and the signature treasure of the museum - skull of the Toumai Man, whom the Chadians believe is the world's earliest human ancestor. On the whole, it was a pleasant visit if one does not expect too much.