Swedish Ventures in Cameroon, 1883-1923

The 1880s were a critical time in Cameroon. A German warship arrived in the Douala estuary and proclaimed Cameroon a protectorate. At that time, two Swedes, Knutson and Waldau, were living on the upper slopes of the Cameroon Mountain. Very little is known about their activities. One, Knutson, wrote a long memoir of his time in Cameroon (1883-1895) which is published here for the first time. It gives fascinating insights into everyday life in Cameroon and into the multifaceted relationships among the various Europeans, and between them and the Africans, at the end of the 19th century; we learn about the Swedes' quarrels first with the Germans and later with the British, over land purchases, thus revealing the origins of long on-going disputes over Bakweri lands. We are given vivid descriptions of Bakweri notables and their, and the Europeans', cultural practices, a rare eye-witness account of the sasswood witchcraft ordeal, and learn about Knutson's friendships with slaves. Together with appended contemporary correspondence, legal opinions, and early (translated) texts, this memoir must be considered as a unique and invaluable primary source for the pre-colonial history of Cameroon.

Chapter 1. Sweden and the Cameroons
Chapter 2. Fauna and Flora
Chapter 3. Misery and India Rubber
Chapter 4. The German Invasion, 1884-1885
Chapter 5. Travel in the Interior, 1885
Chapter 6. The Ancient Races
Chapter 7. Adventures on Cameroon Mountains and in Biaffran Swamps
Chapter 8. Religion and Customs of the Bakhiviris and Bobbokkos
Chapter 9. Slave Trade
Chapter 10. Black and White
Chapter 11. The Missionaries, the Explorers, and the Men I met at the Cameroons
Chapter 12. The Future of the Cameroons

Appendices:

Appendix I: Knutson and Waldau's Contracts with the Notables on the Cameroon Mountain

Appendix II: A Climb of the Big Peak of the Cameroon Mountain
K. Knutson

Appendix III: About the Ba-kwileh People
G. Valdau

Appendix IV: English Epitome of Waldau's "A Journey to the Country North of the Cameroon Mountain"
E. Ardener and E. M. Chilver

Appendix V: Sir Richard Burton's Visit to Mafanja, 1861-1862
Appendix VI: George Thompson's Stay in Mafanja, 1871-1889
Appendix VII: Stefan (Etienne) and Sczolc (Scholz)-Rogozinski, 1861-1896