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Frequently asked questions

What is the Mother of Humanity® monument?

The Mother of Humanity® monument is the sculpture of a woman standing on the globe of the world. She holds a feather in her right hand representing peace and truth. The monument was created in 1992 as a symbol of peace and unity following a city-wide riot in Los Angeles, California. The 16-feet tall, bronze, Mother of Humanity® monument incorporates seven unique symbols and was unveiled on Mother’s Day, May 11, 1996 at the Watts Labor Community Action Committee, 10950 Central Ave., in Watts, California.

Who is the creator of the Mother of Humanity® and MotherLand™ - Center for Humanity?

The Mother of Humanity® monument was conceived, designed, and sculpted by internationally-acclaimed portrait sculptor Nijel Lloyd Binns. The Mother of Humanity® derives her name from the poem “Original Woman” by Robert Watt. Copyrighted in 1992 by Nijel Binns, the Mother of Humanity® name, logo, and related images are secured as registered trademarks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The concept of creating a colossal 313 ft. Mother of Humanity® monument in Africa and “MotherLand™ – Center for Humanity” was also conceived and designed by Nijel Lloyd Binns.

What does the Mother of Humanity® sculpture in Africa represent?

As an image, as a building structure, as a franchise, and a park experience, the Mother of Humanity® monument represents the promotion, and advancement of “loving-kindness”. The Mother of Humanity® monument champions mothers, women, and children of the world. She represents peace, loving-kindness, and the origin of humankind. The loving-kindness of a mother can help to give birth to compassionate human beings whose good works will be reflected in all segments of society.

Who is behind the Mother of Humanity® Monument Project?

The Mother of Humanity® Monument Project is the work of The Mother of Humanity® Monument Foundation, Inc. that was founded by Nijel Binns in Los Angeles, California in 2015. The Mother of Humanity® Monument Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation. The Board of Directors and production team are being assembled from an international group of sculptors, architects, engineers, capable project managers, and advisors.

What is the mission of the Mother of Humanity® Monument Foundation, Inc?

Our global mission: to build the Mother of Humanity® monument and MotherLand™ – Center for Humanity. Promote patience, compassion, and understanding. To encourage a mother’s loving-kindness for all sentient life on Earth, and beyond.

Is the MoH® project a U.S. government inspired, or U.S. government led program?

The Mother of Humanity® monument for Africa is envisioned as a “peoples” project that was created in 1996 solely by its creator, Nijel Binns. The Mother of Humanity® monument project does not represent, nor is to be represented as being planned, or initiated by the United States government, or any affiliated governmental agency in the United States of America, Africa, or in any other country around the world. The MoH® Africa project does however welcome endorsements and sponsorship that acknowledges the social and humanitarian benefits that the MoH® Monument will inspire and provide.

The monument will be built in Cameroon but Cameroon faces many serious issues, so why build a monument?

More than a simple statue and park, the Mother of Humanity® monument and MotherLand™ – Center for Humanity is a symbol and tourist destination that will promote peace and wellbeing to all visitors for several generations to come. The 7 attributes such as the feather and dot of her forehead are incorporated in her design and are as old as human kind. They predate modern concerns. The Mother of Humanity® is the “Symbol of Our Times™” and points the way forward for individuals, the African continent, and the human collective by helping us to reflect on basic human values such as the loving-kindness of a mother. As a tourist destination, MotherLand™ and the Mother of Humanity® monument will provide thousands of jobs before, during, and after construction in Kribi, Cameroon. Living wage employment will be created for the local population and will represent significant, long term economic benefits for Cameroon.

How tall is the Mother of Humanity® Monument and what is it made of?

The Mother of Humanity® monument will be one of the tallest monuments on the continent of Africa.

  • Statue from feather to base of globe is – 92.4024m tall – (313 ft.)
  • Feather is – 11.9253m tall – (39.125 ft.)
  • Total height of statue and base is – 107.29m – (352 ft.)
  • Sky walk is – 71.5518m above ground – (234.75 ft.)
  • 3 tier building height is – 11.8872m tall – (39 ft.)
  • Globe circumference is – 23.8506m – (245.705 ft., or 78.21199 ft. in diameter)

The sculpture will have a central core of super-reinforced concrete with a high compressive strength of around 14,000psi. The core will be clad in individual panels that form the sculpture. The panels will be made of special bronze alloy sheets, or newer composite materials that will withstand ever evolving climactic conditions.

How does the 313 ft. tall Mother of Humanity® monument compare to similar large-scale statue projects around the world?

A significant number of recent large scale projects have been built around the world to benefit society.

  • Statue of Unity in India – 182m tall – (597 ft.)
  • Spring Temple Buddha in China – 120m tall – (420 ft.)
  • Quan Yin of the South Sea in China – 108m tall – (354 ft.)
  • Ushiku Daibutsu in Japan – 100m tall – (330 ft)
  • African Renaissance Monument – 52m tall – (171 ft.)

How will the building of the Mother of Humanity® and MotherLand™ be financed?

Initially, funds will be solicited from tax-deductible donations that will be accepted through the Mother of Humanity® Monument Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, or other established entities. The Mother of Humanity® is proposed as a gift from the “people” of the world to the “people” of Africa. Financing will be secured from public and private sectors in the United States, North, South and Central America, Europe, Asia, and the African diaspora. No part of the cost needed for the construction and maintenance of the MoH® monument, MotherLand™ – Center for Humanity and related infrastructure will be sought from the government of Cameroon.

Will the Mother of Humanity® monument and MotherLand™ construction projects be undertaken in stages?

It is likely that the development of the Mother of Humanity® monument and MotherLand™ will be undertaken in stages designed to “grow” the complex to full maturity with planned areas of expansion. The Mother of Humanity® monument will be the focus of the first stage of development followed by MotherLand™ – Center for Humanity.

Where will the energy come from to power the Mother of Humanity® monument and MotherLand™?

Both the Mother of Humanity® monument and MotherLand™ will be designed to be a green, self-contained, zero emission attraction that will be naturally powered by solar, wave, and wind energy. The construction model of MotherLand™ and the Mother of Humanity® monument will be autonomous, non-polluting and biosphere safe in terms of power, water, waste production, and renewability.

How much land is needed for the Mother of Humanity® monument and the MotherLand™ project in Africa?

The Mother of Humanity® monument and MotherLand™ – Center for Humanity will be situated on 741 acres of land generously donated by the government of Cameroon for the project.

How can the Mother of Humanity® monument directly contribute to the positive image of the African continent, and the well-being of planet Earth?

The shape of the Mother of Humanity® monument is created with the outline of Africa in it’s design. It symbolizes Africa as “one body”. The name “Mother of Humanity® reflects the preeminence of Africa as the cradle of human kind. Our mottos is “One Family – One Future™”.

Why was Cameroon chosen as the location for the Mother of Humanity® monument and MotherLand™ – Center for Humanity?

A short list of potential African nations to host The Mother of Humanity® monument included Kenya, Tanzania and Ethiopia. Cameroon was not on that list. In 2016, after an invitation by the Government of Cameroon, project organizers met with the Baka people of Cameroon. The Baka are among the oldest populations on planet Earth. They revealed that they were expecting the Mother of Humanity® because among their people, they knew of the coming of The Mother of Humanity® monument thousands of years ago.

How will the Mother of Humanity® monument and MotherLand™ – Center for Humanity promote peace, progress and stability for Africa, and the entire planet?

Ideally, Cameroon is recognized continent wide as “Africa In Miniature” because it contains geographical features of every African nation within it’s borders. Reinforcing this distinction, 54 magnificent African Cultural Pavilions will surround the Mother of Humanity® and MotherLand™ – Center for Humanity. These cultural pavilions will welcome tourists from around the world to MotherLand™ and will provide a brilliant showcase for the rich culture, language and history of each African nation.