Eugen Zintgraff’s Diary as a Document of Theft and Destruction of Art Treasures in the Colonial Context

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In this article, Richard Tsogang Fossi is dedicated to investigate the attitudes of the colonial explorer and leader of so-called punitive expeditions in the Banyang-Land of Cameroon 1888-1889, Dr. Eugen Zintgraff. His encounter in the early years of German colobization showcases different forms of removal of art treasures from the colonized communities. These forms range from confiscation, loot, destruction through fire and recycling. His diary Nord-Kamerun appears to be a good instance of understanding and analyzing colonial violence involved in the translocation of artifacts in colonial times, which makes them to be sensitive today.