In the late 19th century, the Mankon people fought against German colonial forces, in a conflict that became known as the Battle of Mankon. German colonial forces, allied with the Bali people, were led by Eugene Zintgraff and severely outnumbered the Mankon. The first two conflicts saw the German and Bali force, armed with guns and cannons, defeated at the hands of the spear- and machete-toting Mankon warriors. Some of Zintgraff's men had to flee on foot to as far as Babungo. But the Mankon people were finally defeated in a third conflict in 1901.
The Mankon community remained under German control until after World War I, when northwestern Cameroon became a British mandate territory. This situation remained until the British-administered Cameroons achieved independence in 1961
