On 27 June 2022, the Foundation Board of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation authorized the president of the Stiftung PreuBischer Kulturbesitz to conclude an agreement with the Cameroonian authorities to pave way for the return of the statue of Ngonnso.
A civil society effort called “Bring Back Ngonnso” has been advocating for the monument’s return for years since the Nso people claim that various tragedies have befallen them since the statue was taken. The foundation stated in a statement that “The Ngonnso’ plays a crucial function for the Nso’, as she is considered a mother deity.”
The female figure known as Ngonsso is said to originate from the Kingdom of Nso’ in North-western Cameroon. A colonial officer Kurt von Pavel donated the statue to the national museum of Germany in 1903.
Hermann Parzinger, president of the foundation, stated that in order for items to be eligible for repatriation, they do not necessarily need to have been taken unfairly, such as during looting.
Yumo Nyuydzewira told Reuters, “After more than 120 years, we can only remain pleased because it is a time to remember and become closer to our ancestors’ connections with love and togetherness”, Yumo Nyuydzewira stated. “The message is still one of spiritual and ancestor-wise reunion with the mother and founder of this magnificent dynasty” Yumo also added.
Hermann Parzinger, president of the charity, applauded the decision to return the artifacts.
The verdict “clearly shows that the question of the return of objects amassed in a colonial environment does not necessarily come down to injustice,” he said. He continued, “An artifact’s exceptional value – in particular spiritual – for the group it originated from may likewise warrant a return.”
