The Fight to Return Ngonnso: A Sacred Statue and the Legacy of Colonialism

For the Nso people of Cameroon, Ngonnso is more than just a statue; she is the embodiment of their history, identity, and spiritual heritage. Stolen during the German colonial period in the early 20th century, the centuries-old wooden carving has resided in Berlin’s Ethnological Museum for over a century. Now, a determined campaign led by Sylvie Njobati is bringing renewed pressure for its repatriation, sparking a wider conversation about restitution and reparatory justice.

A Stolen Heritage

Ngonnso holds immense cultural significance for the Nso people, an ethnic group from the Northwest Region of Cameroon. Considered the founding mother of the Nso, the statue represents a vital link to their ancestors and traditions. According to accounts passed down through generations, and confirmed by research, the statue was taken by German military officer Kurt Von Pavel in 1902 and donated to the Ethnological Museum in Berlin. This act, while not involving direct looting during wartime, occurred within a context of unequal power dynamics and colonial violence, as Von Pavel was accompanied by armed personnel .

The #BringBackNgonnso Campaign

Sylvie Njobati’s personal connection to the statue began with a story from her grandfather in 2018. He tasked her with bringing Ngonnso home, a mission fueled by his desire to witness the statue’s return to the Nso Kingdom before his passing. Determined to honor his wish, Njobati launched the #BringBackNgonnso campaign, utilizing social media to raise awareness and galvanize support.

Njobati’s approach involved educating her community about Ngonnso’s importance, a history often absent from formal education. She created a film featuring her grandfather’s plea, sharing it widely to connect with people on a deeply emotional level. Recognizing the necessitate to engage directly with German institutions, she contacted the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation and participated in discussions about restitution.

A Turning Point and a Loss

A significant moment arrived in 2021 when the Ethnological Museum announced plans to exhibit Ngonnso at the Humboldt Forum in Berlin. Njobati traveled to Germany to protest, presenting an official restitution letter and sharing her grandfather’s video with the President of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation. Her presentation was met with a receptive audience, and a promise of assistance was made.

Tragically, Njobati’s grandfather passed away during this period, a painful loss that nonetheless strengthened her resolve. Inspired by his memory, she continued to push for Ngonnso’s return, and in June 2022, the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation authorized its president to finalize an agreement with Cameroonian authorities for the statue’s repatriation.

The Path Forward and a Broader Movement

While the decision to return Ngonnso has been made, the statue remains in Germany as negotiations between Germany and Cameroon continue. Njobati’s campaign has also contributed to a broader shift in Cameroon, where restitution is now a national priority, with the government establishing a commission to address the issue of illegally exported goods.

Njobati views the fight for Ngonnso’s return as part of a larger movement for reparatory justice, encompassing not only the physical repatriation of artifacts but also the reclaiming of narratives and the healing of historical wounds. She emphasizes the importance of access to information and community-level awareness-raising, advocating for a more equitable and inclusive approach to addressing the legacies of colonialism.

As of March 2026, Njobati remains hopeful that Ngonnso will be returned to Cameroon, continuing her tireless efforts to ensure that this sacred statue can once again take its rightful place at the heart of Nso culture.