The Nso in north-western Cameroon are one of many peoples in their country who suffered under German colonial rule.
Until today, the community feels pain over the looting of their cultural heritage, which was taken to Germany.
Of unique significance to the Nso is a deity embodied in a carved wooden statue adorned with cowrie shells who has been in the Ethnological Museum Berlin of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation (SPK) since 1903.
She was created in honour of Ngonnso, the founding mother of the Nso Fondom (Kingdom), who is regarded as the incarnation of the Nso people’s worldview.
Nso cultural scientist Dr Bulami Edward Fonyuy describes how long his people have been striving for the return of Ngonnso.
On behalf of the Nso‘ Arts and Cultural Heritage Association (NACHA), Dr Bulami is coordinating the construction of a museum in the immediate vicinity of the royal palace in Kumbo. This is where the returning cultural belongings will find a home.
