Cultural Trauma and Colonial Acquisition: A Systemic Analysis of Ethnographic Artifacts from the Cameroon Grasslands (North West and West Regions) during the German Colonial Era

Abstract The Cameroon Grasslands, encompassing the North West and West Regions, are renowned for their rich cultural diversity, artistic traditions, and complex socio-political structures. During the German colonial period (1884–1916), ethnographic artifacts including Türpfosten (doorposts), Türrahmen (door frames), royal thrones, and ceremonial objects were systematically collected, often through coercion or exploitation. This study examines the cultural, historical, and psychological dimensions of these artifacts, focusing on their provenance, symbolism, and the role of German collectors such as Hans Glauning and Heinrich Picht. By integrating systemic psychological analysis, postcolonial theory, and archival research, this work explores the intergenerational trauma, cultural resilience, and contemporary debates on repatriation. The methodology combines visual analysis, oral histories, and critical engagement with colonial archives, offering a holistic understanding of the Grasslands' material culture and its global diaspora.