The chipped wood and faded carvings of Ngonnso, a statue representing the founding mother of the Nso people of Cameroon, may seem a world away from the sterile halls of the Humboldt Forum in Berlin. But for Sylvie Njobati, the statue’s presence there represents a painful chapter of colonial history and a deeply personal mission: to bring Ngonnso home. Njobati’s campaign, #BringBackNgonnso, isn’t simply about reclaiming an artifact. it’s a fight for cultural identity, historical recognition, and a reckoning with a past that continues to shape the present.
The story began in 2018, when Njobati’s grandfather, a pastor and a pillar of their community, shared the history of Ngonnso. He recounted how the statue was taken by German colonial forces in 1902, specifically by military officer Kurt Von Pavel, and subsequently donated to the Ethnological Museum of Berlin. For the Nso people, Ngonnso isn’t merely a operate of art; it’s a sacred object embodying their history, spirituality, and collective memory. Her grandfather’s dying wish – to witness Ngonnso’s return to the Nso Kingdom – became Njobati’s driving force.
“He told me about Ngonnso with such reverence, such pain,” Njobati explained. “He had abandoned the ‘big compound,’ as we call the villages that develop up the Nso Kingdom, years ago, seeking opportunities elsewhere. His greatest desire was to return and see Ngonnso back where she belonged. I didn’t grow up with these stories. We weren’t taught about Ngonnso in school. It was a history intentionally obscured. Taking on this mission was a way to reconnect with my culture, to understand a part of myself that had been denied.”
A Legacy of Colonialism and the Fight for Restitution
The taking of Ngonnso is rooted in the broader context of German colonialism in Cameroon, which lasted from 1884 to 1916. During this period, German authorities systematically looted cultural artifacts as symbols of dominance and trophies of conquest. The Ethnological Museum of Berlin, like many European museums, became a repository for these stolen treasures. The Humboldt Forum, a controversial museum built on the site of Berlin’s former royal palace, now houses a significant portion of this collection, including Ngonnso. Its opening in 2021 sparked renewed debate about the ethics of displaying objects acquired through colonial violence.
Njobati quickly discovered that reclaiming Ngonnso wouldn’t be simple. Her initial research revealed that her community had been attempting to secure the statue’s return for nearly three decades. Recognizing the need for a broader strategy, she began organizing talks in churches, community groups, and schools, raising awareness about the importance of restitution. Crucially, she understood the power of visual storytelling. She filmed a poignant conversation with her grandfather, capturing his plea for Ngonnso’s return – a video that would become central to her campaign.
“I wanted to bring the story to my people, to show them what was at stake,” Njobati said. “I wanted to take them to Germany, in a way, without them having to physically travel there.” She launched a Facebook page, “the official restitution page for Ngonnso,” and the hashtag #BringBackNgonnso quickly gained traction, amplifying the call for repatriation.
Navigating Bureaucracy and Loss
Njobati’s research led her to the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation, the organization responsible for the Ethnological Museum’s collection. She learned a critical lesson: individual or community requests for restitution were insufficient. Formal requests had to arrive from the King of the Nso people, the local government, the President of Cameroon, or the country’s embassy. Undeterred, Njobati focused on building relationships with German institutions and individuals working on decolonization.
In 2021, as Ngonnso was slated to be exhibited at the Humboldt Forum, Njobati traveled to Berlin. She presented an official restitution letter to the President of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation and played the video of her grandfather, his voice filled with longing. “I played a clip of my grandfather saying how he would love to see Ngonnso returned. The room fell quiet,” Njobati recalled. “It was an incredible moment. My request of restitution was finally acknowledged, and I was promised facilitate going forward.”
However, the week in Berlin was marked by tragedy. Njobati’s grandfather passed away, just days after she shared the news of the progress with him. “It was a difficult week,” she said, her voice laced with emotion. “I’d wanted to bring Ngonnso back before he passed. I felt so mad and questioned whether I’d been too leisurely. But in our culture, when someone passes on, they transcend. The passing of my grandfather reminded me that life is fragile. If you have to do something, then now is the time.”
A Shift in Cameroon and the Path Forward
Despite her grief, Njobati persevered. She reported that by June 2022, a decision had been made to return Ngonnso to Cameroon. Prior to her campaign, she noted, restitution wasn’t a priority for the Cameroonian government. Now, a commission has been established to address the issue of illegally exported goods. However, the statue remains in Berlin, awaiting the completion of negotiations between Germany and Cameroon.
“Ngonnso is still not back in Cameroon, and it’s all to do with politics,” Njobati explained. “The next step involves complex negotiations between the two governments. It’s frustrating, as many of the people who were pushing for the return of Ngonnso have now passed away.”
Njobati’s work extends beyond the specific case of Ngonnso. She believes restitution is about more than just the physical return of objects; it’s about reclaiming narratives and reshaping historical understanding. She recently attended the Wakati Wetu Festival, alongside organizations like Amnesty International, advocating for grassroots campaigning and awareness-raising around reparatory justice. “Reparations aren’t seen as a two-way street,” she argues. “Survivors and victims of these colonial crimes are having to fight for reparation, while the perpetrators often fail to take initiative. We need to make space in our hearts to repair and heal.”
While the path ahead remains uncertain, Njobati remains hopeful. She anticipates that Ngonnso will be returned to Cameroon by 2026. “Sometimes, I feel as though I have exhausted all avenues,” she admits, “but it just reminds me that I need to push harder.”
The story of Ngonnso, and Sylvie Njobati’s tireless campaign, is a powerful example of how individuals can challenge established power structures and demand accountability for the injustices of the past. The ongoing negotiations between Germany and Cameroon will be a crucial test of their commitment to addressing the legacy of colonialism and fostering a more equitable future. Updates on the restitution process can be found through the Cameroonian Ministry of Arts and Culture and the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation.
If you are interested in learning more about descent-based discrimination and how to tackle it, please visit Amnesty International’s resources on racial justice.
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