Going Back through Memory Lane (Cameroon)

The project provides a platform for training and therapy sessions specifically designed for women and children who have lost loved ones in the inter-territorial war. Within the broader context of Cameroon’s historical and political dynamics, the project highlights the grievances stemming from the forced merger of the southern Cameroons with French Cameroon in the 1960s. Since 2016, the Anglophone crisis has fuelled violence between the Cameroonian armed forces and the Ambazonian Defense Forces, leading to mass displacements. By delving into historical archives and gathering personal stories, testimonies, as well as visual and sonic materials, the project aims to create a collective physical and digital archive. This archive serves as a space for survival, conversation, and the translation of untold stories and histories. Road trips, field trips, and expert gatherings facilitate critical thinking, intergenerational encounters, and contribute to social and political debates. The project’s main contributions include expanding understanding of the origins of the war, shedding light on marginalized perspectives, and challenging the dominant narrative disseminated by local media and government authorities. Moreover, by documenting the war’s impact on education and mental health, the project advocates for change and offers support to those affected. The establishment of an alternative knowledge laboratory and an open collective library empowers individuals by providing access to knowledge and fostering freedom of expression. Ultimately, the project aims to create a roadmap for addressing the crisis and reinstating a more comprehensive understanding of Cameroon’s history and the challenges it currently faces.