Mandu Yenu – The Stolen Throne?

A king's gift to a colonial empire uncovers the enduring impact on Cameroon's royal heritage.

In 1908, the King of Bamum in Cameroon handed over the throne of his dynasty to the German colonial administration as a birthday gift for Kaiser Wilhelm II in Berlin. But how voluntary could such a gift truly be? This documentary follows French expert on looted art, Bénédicte Savoy, as she travels to Cameroon to meet with local princes and kings who bemoan the loss of their historical insignia and other sacred objects. Through these encounters, the film explores the deep cultural impact of colonialism and the ongoing struggle to reclaim stolen heritage.