Ngoungoure: A Powerfully Crafted Vision of Feminine Strength and Resistance
- Sahndra Fon Dufe & Rejoice Abutsa
- Jan 7
- 5 min read
Updated: Jan 14
Film Review | By Sahndra Fon Dufe, Author of the Yefon Series, and Rejoice Abutsa, Film and Media Scholar, Cornell University
Women have shaped the cultural, intellectual, social, and political histories of African Cinema. From the decolonial consciousness embedded within Sarah Maldoror's films to Diouna's subtle but historical refusal to perform racial labor in Ousmane Sembene’s Black Girl to the powerful portrait of Black transnational subjectivity offered by more recent women filmmakers such as Chineze Anyaene, before and behind the camera, women mobilize film to offer insights into the politics of the self and collective.
As authors, scholars, and storytellers, we are often drawn to narratives that explore the breadth and depth of womanhood, with attention to power, identity, and resistance. Aissatou Njayou’s ‘Ngoungoure’ draws on all of these themes, presenting an extraordinary female protagonist who redefines the parameters of heroism within a non-fictional pre-colonial Cameroonian kingdom. For me, as a writer rooted in the legacy of the Nso people and the “Yefon” series, Ngoungoure is significant for many reasons. The Nso and Bamoun people are historically kin, linked by ancient ties that trace back to three siblings—Ngonnso and her brothers—who carved paths of leadership that continue to inspire Cameroonians today. Oral history attests that Ngonnso, the founder of the Nso kingdom, embodied resilience, leadership, and independence, a legacy that remains central to Nso and Bamoun's heritage. In ‘Ngoungoure,’ Njayou taps into this ancestral story, as well as its displays of strength and solidarity, to weave a narrative about gender, authoritarianism, and community survival within a powerfully resonant pre-colonial Cameroonian society.
Enacting Ngoungoure through a blend of oral tradition and historical insight, Njayou critiques the cycles of authoritarianism gripping several African societies. Although the narrative is domiciled within a historically pre-colonial era, it incites the current political landscape, where power structures have resisted both gendered and generational progress for decades. Crucially, within this world, Njayou presents a carefully crafted female protagonist, Ngoungoure (ruler in 1865), who combines wit and intellect to overthrow a dictatorship and restore hope to a suppressed population. When Ngoungoure opens, Njayou layers the stakes of her story: It is a story about succession, and within the realm of authoritarian power is a male heir, Ngouhouo (1818-1865), who operates with the rigor of tyranny. Ngoungoure, the film’s protagonist, stands against the regime of King Ngouhouo—a character with an uncanny resemblance to real-world authoritarian figures who refuse to yield power.
Njayou’s use of voiceover, paired with carefully curated illustrations, draws the viewer directly into the world of Ngoungoure. This choice creates a contemplative entry into the story, guiding us through the socio-political dynamics that inform Ngoungoure’s motivations. The stakes are high: Njayou constructs a potent critique of how African authoritarian systems share certain traits across borders, often at the cost of capable women relegated to the periphery. As Ngoungoure confronts this reality, she challenges not only the king’s rule but the very structures that have marginalized her.
One of the film’s most striking achievements is its approach to traditional African medicine. Rather than positioning it as a mere narrative device, Njayou assigns it symbolic agency. The power that traditional medicine bestows upon the male antagonist and the female protagonist speaks volumes about their contrasting motives. While King Ngouhouo wields it selfishly to maintain his grip on authority, Ngoungoure seeks empowerment for the communal good. This careful contrast establishes Njayou’s vision of power, which sees feminine strength as transformative and selfless, aimed at uplifting the community rather than bolstering individual ambition.
Ngoungoure invites us to consider how gender and authority intersect in ways that shape societies. Through Njayou’s lens, we see a heroine who demands more than mere survival; she demands change. In a memorable moment, Ngoungoure declares, “I am not a man; I am a woman,” as she charges forward to confront her oppressor. This line, both simple and profound, crystallizes Njayou’s celebration of proto-feminism and the resilience of women who have historically been marginalized. This potent proclamation echoes long after the film concludes, underscoring Ngoungoure’s resolve and Njayou’s audacious critique of traditional power structures.
The film draws visual inspiration from legendary African filmmaker Souleymane Cissé, paying homage to the aesthetic of the pre-colonial African society that he crafts with Yeelen. It also spotlights the lives of women who are often relegated to the background in historical narratives. Njayou reclaims these voices, weaving together the complexities of past and present struggles in a nuanced portrayal of female resilience and leadership.
Throughout African history, women have held influential roles as rulers, often breaking conventional barriers as leaders in our societies. In ancient Egypt, Hatshepsut reigned as Pharaoh for over two decades, declaring herself "King" and adopting royal regalia to establish her legitimacy in a male-dominated role. She successfully expanded trade routes and commissioned grand architectural projects, including her famous mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahri. Similarly, Queen Amina of Zazzau (present-day Nigeria) defied gender norms by leading her people into battle and extending her kingdom's borders through strategic conquests. In North Africa, Queen Dihya (or Kahina) of the Berbers fiercely resisted Arab expansion, ruling as a political and military leader. These women, and others across Africa, held power, often under challenging circumstances and left legacies that continue to inspire narratives of resilience, leadership, and sovereignty.
With Ngoungoure, Aissatou Njayou has crafted not only a film but a resonant call for reflection and change. As Africans, as women, and as admirers of this art, we are grateful for the story she has shared—a testament to the power of cinema to capture the strength and spirit of African womanhood.
One could only wish that the film had been longer than its ten minutes. The eloquence of its dialogue, the reverence for the Bamoun lineage, and its rich use of local languages leave the viewer yearning for a deeper dive into this world. As Njayou speaks to the endurance of Cameroonian women, her storytelling honors the legacies they carry. Perhaps in the future, we will be fortunate enough to witness an extended narrative that continues Ngoungoure’s journey.
Ngoungoure premiered at the 2024 Silicon Valley African Film Festival.
Watch Trailer here
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