105
FIG. 23 (above):
“G. Conrau’s Wegeaufnahmen im Lande der Banyang, Bangwa,
Kabo, Basosi, und Bafo (G. Conrau’s survey in the land of the
Banyang, Bangwa, Kabo, Basosi, and Bafo),” 1899.
Cartography by Max Moisel.
Ink on paper. 73 x 61 cm.
Basel Mission Archives, inv. 97098.
FIGS. 24 (below):
“Neue Aufnahmen von Gustav Conrau im Norden und Nordwesten
des Kamerun-Gebirges aus dem Jahren 1896 und 1897 (New
recordings of Gustav Conrau in the north and northwestern
Cameroonian mountains from the years 1896 and 1897).”
Cartography by Max Moisel.
Ink on paper. 73 x 61 cm.
Basel Mission Archives, inv. 97097.
I bought the … fetishes all over the Bangwa area.
After I had offered him many gifts, the chief allowed
his people to sell me these objects. They are old
things, which are no longer very highly regarded.
The newer fetishes, namely those of Chief Fontem,
are now usually decorated with beads. The people
supplied me with the names of the objects, but
I cannot vouch for their accuracy. … Since they
are most reticent to discuss the fetishes, I think they
may have intentionally given me incorrect information
….56
Letters to von Luschan in September and October
of 1899 indicate that Conrau was then on the
coast. According to Governor von Puttkamer, he
was full of praise for the Bangwa, describing them
as peaceful and friendly people.57 In November
1899, von Puttkamer58 ordered Conrau to search
for Lieutenant von Queis, who had gone missing
while attempting to establish an outpost in a frontier
area of the Cross River region. He was killed
in a confl ict there with the local people.59 Von
Puttkamer’s report states: “One and a half days’
walk from his destination, Conrau got news of
the death.” Thereupon, “he marched eastward, in
order to pick up his belongings from his Bangwa
friends and to recruit more workers for the Victoria
plantations.”60
This was to be Conrau’s fi nal visit to the Bangwa.
Knowing he would return, he had left material
he had collected there when he had departed for
the coast. However, this time he was taken hostage
by Assunganyi and members of his troh, or
Night Society. While the missionary Paul Gebauer
later wrote that the confl ict that arose between the