Africities cultural evening:How and Who from Cameroon?

By Mabi Azefor Fominyen,
In my last post on Africities holding in Dakar-Senegal (Dec4-8,2012) I promised to come back with more from the cultural evening organised  as part of the event.

On the invitation of Cameroon's Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralisation René Emmanuel SADI and Cameroon's Ambassador to Senegal Jean Koe NTONGA, a host of personalities and dignitaries  at the sixth edition of AFRICITIES attended the cultural event alongside the state officials from Cameroon, government delegates, mayors and the rest of the Cameroonian delegation

(Donny ELWOOD from Cameroon)

Cameroonian born-artist, Donny Elwood renowned for his caustic lyrics and thought- provoking songs sometimes full of political satire: was on stage. It was in 1996 that Donny Elwood released his first musical album and a second came in 2001. Today he has many albums to his credit.

(Narcis Kokam)

 Comedy was also part of the evening with the Cameroonian veteran Comedian Kokam Narcisse offering the guests a beautiful doze of Comedy-made- in -Cameroon.While on stage he touched on the daily social realities, expectations and challenges of his community, using the people's jargon. Noting that he was showcasing Cameroon's bilingualism Narcisse Kokam switched from French to English holding the crowd spell-bound and sometimes earning rounds of applause as the people watched him perfom. He' s been in the comedy business for over 30years.

 Another artist originally from Cameroon but who has spent a greater part of his career life in Senegal: Bakana Bakana- popularly known as manlolo Petit Canard  and the Wanda street Ochestra added spice to the night. The ochestra accompanied a few artists including Senegalese-born FEDIOR in his interpretation of two songs originally played by the Grammy-award winner and Senegal's current minister of Leisure and Tourism Yousour Ndour.

(Fedior )

(Mabi introducing Senegal's Ndella Xalas; the lone female artist of the night)

(Jeannot Mendoza)

A good doze of zouk love music was also part of that cultural event.Jeannot MENDOZA from Cape Verde who has been in the music industry for close to 10years served the guests with what he calls"CABO-LOVE" explaining to me that "Cabo" refered to his origin and LOVE signifies the kind of music he sings; zouk love.

I was particularly delighted to introduce on stage Ndella Xalas  from Senegal. Together with her energetic dancers they all thrilled the guests.

(Manlolo & the Wanda street ochestra) 

Manlolo-Petit Canard in Assiko display

In a  typical bassa style-Manlolo petit canard did put up an impressive assiko display to crown the cultural night. At some point he placed a bottle of water on his head and danced towards the crowd. Later on he added a second bottle before gulping down an entire bottle of water in one-go- amid thunderous applause from those present.

(Manlolo gulps a bottle of water as he displays before the crowd)

 What  a moment! What a treat to many who had never seen anything like that before!











Beyond the cultural fiesta, the Africities Cameroonian cultural night equally provided an opportunity for Minister Rene Emmanuel SADI to urge all present to intensify efforts towards the development of local councils, cities and Africa's territories irrespective of the challenges they might be facing noting that it was vital, in order to build a better Africa.


(below Me and Mr. Vincent Ndumu,Government Delegate,Bamenda City Council-NW Cameroon.)

(Me and Mr Mbella Moki Charles Mayor of Buea,SW-Cameroon)

( Egbe Sabina En-Mayor of Tinto-SW Cameroon,
Mrs Ntongwe Ajang Pamela-Executive Council officer,Kumba 1council-SW  Cameroon,
Mr Donatus Njong- Mayor of Kumbo-NW Cameroon)

 All Photo Credits: Mabi Azefor Fominyen