Cameroon National Day

Today, May 20^th, is Cameroon National Day which marks Cameroon’s 41^st anniversary of being a unified state. It’s quite hard to believe that one year from today I’ll be celebrating National Day somewhere over there, likely watching some masquerade surrounded by new friends, family, and colleagues. Since Cameroon was initially two separate colonies – British and French – May 20^th doesn’t mark its official independence but rather the date which Cameroon became unified.  French Cameroun gained its independence on January 1, 1960 while British Cameroon gained its independence on October 1, 1961. On May 20, 1972 President Ahmadou Ahidjo abolished the federal system of government and created a united Cameroon state, which now accounts for Cameroon’s linguistic and cultural diversity. So happy unity day, Cameroon!

I’ll leave you with a press statement by US Secretary of State John Kerry:

On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I congratulate the people of Cameroon and offer my best wishes as you celebrate your national day on May 20.

The United States and Cameroon have enjoyed a positive relationship since we first established diplomatic relations in 1960. Our relationship has blossomed over the years as we have worked to achieve our common goal of peace and stability in central Africa. More recently, we have joined together to combat wildlife trafficking and improve maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.

The United States values its increasing economic partnership with Cameroon, which exceeded $557 million in bilateral trade in 2012. We look forward to building on this momentum.

The United States welcomes Cameroon’s progress in expanding its democratic institutions and looks toward the upcoming municipal and legislative elections as an opportunity to further consolidate democratic gains through a free and fair electoral process.

I offer you my best wishes on the occasion of this 53^rd anniversary of Cameroon’s independence, and look forward to continued cooperation to promote peace, democracy, and economic growth in Cameroon and the region.

Afternoon Afrobeat (#61): 'Feba' by Janka Nabay & The Bubu Gang

I'm completely over my head with school work so that explains my absence from posting anything substantial lately. I graduate (yay!) in about three weeks, after which I plan on having regular updates again, so thanks for bearing with me!

Despite my completely overloaded schedule, I needed to stop studying for my midterm exam that is tomorrow and share this music video with you all today. I've previously posted about Janka Nabay & The Bubu Gang, once with my favorite song of theirs, 'Somebody', and another time with a special song they created for the Olympics. Now I'm back to share more of them with you! 

anka Nabay is the "Bubu King". Bubu music is fast-paced dance music with its origins deep in Sierra Leone. Traditionally, Bubu rhythms were played during Ramadan festivals among the Temne in northern Sierra Leonean. But Janka Nabay did much to revolutionize Bubu music in the 90s. The civil war caused Janka Nabay to flee to the U.S., but the music didn't die. Instead he collaborated with a group of New York musicians to create a cross-cultural collaboration which bridges the gap between traditional Bubu and mainstream music. The result, music that is irresistible to dance to.

While the song 'Feba' is not new (it's been on my workout playlist since December), the music video for it was just released. Nabay explained to Stereogum that “‘Feba’ is about a baby that you have with a woman that you are really are in love with, but you are not totally sure is yours. Even though the baby looks sort of like you, you are still not sure of the back story.” 

Connect with Janka Nabay and the Bubu Gang: Twitter || Website|| Facebook

Afternoon Afrobeat (#60): 'Mélancolie Joyeuse' by Alec Lomami

I think it’s no coincidence that the weather became gorgeous here in Chicago the same week – no, day – that Alec Lomami finally released his long awaited EP! Okay, perhaps it is a coincident, but I like to think not!

It was just a little over a year ago that I was first introduced to Congolese rapper/hip-hop/pop artist, Alec Lomami. He released his first song, Kinshasa, back in 2011 (yes, this EP has been a long time in the making). I immediately loved the song Kinshasa (and no, it’s not just because I believe deep down to have Congolese roots). While Kinshasa is sung in French, it tells the tale of Alec Lomami’s life, his transition to America, and his home – DRC. I speak French, but apparently not well enough to translate every word of Alec’s song Kinshasa. But no worries, I kind of like it because each time I listen to the song I understand a new phrase, word, or meaning. It’s brilliant, really.

A year ago when I first found out about Alec Lomami, I wrote about what was then his new release titled Pop Revolution. I love(d) it…for so many reasons. His transnational life experiences comes out in his Francophone music – it’s pop, but not the heartless crap produced in the U.S., it’s hip-hop, but to a whole new level, and at its core, it is Congolese. 

Then, while I was in Sierra Leone last summer he released a music video for a remix to his song Kinshasa, which is in fact quite different from the original. It was is an awesome video, which I believe conveys Alec’s personal journey as a person and as an artist.

Afternoon Afrobeat (#59): 'Love is Calling' by Ntjam Rosie

Photo via Ntjam Rosie’s Official Facebook Page

The countdown has begun, it’s now 130-something days until I’m moving to Cameroon, yikes! And the beautifully warm and sunny Chicago weather today made me have an epiphany – “Holy smokes, I’m going to be living in Cameroon!” Anyways, in preparation, besides brushing up on my French skills and reading up on Cameroonian history, I’ve started to read some blogs by Cameroonians. You know...I'm trying to get acqainted with Cameroonian culture and all that jazz. I’ve been searching for some good Cameroonian music to listen to and thankfully my new favorite Cameroonian blogger, the lovely Andrea Bomo over at My African Chronicles, has introduced me to my new favorite Cameroonian vocalist - Ntjam Rosie.

Ntjam Rosie grew up in the southern Cameroonian village of Sonkoe and moved to Maastricht in the Netherlands where she grew up dancing and singing to pop music. After being rejected after her audition at the Codarts Academy of Music in Rotterdam she chose a different path of study, but at the age of 19 she quit school and took up her dream of becoming a musician. It appears as if she made the right decision because her music is simply gorgeous!

Ntjam has jazzy music that is quite unique in style and she sings in English, French, and Bulu. She describes herself as “…an artist. I dig into my cultures and make art from them” and she describes her musical philosophy and style as not replicating retro musical elements but rooting itself in them.

Compared to her previous album titled Elle, which Ntjam describes as telling stores about the world, her new album The Back of Beyond instead takes the listener on a spiritual journey. She describes her new album as:

“… more involved. It takes you on a spiritual trip. It is about good and bad, about body and soul, and about finding the balance. It takes you out of your comfort zone and makes you feel part of the music.”

I don’t know about you, but finding balance is just about what I need right now! Check out two of her songs from her new album The Back of Beyond – One is her song ‘Love is Calling’ and the other is an acoustic version of her song ‘Made’.

Connect with Ntjam Rosie: Twitter || Facebook ||Website

Connect with Andrea Bomo: Blog|| Twitter || Facebook|| Instagram

Crossroads of Creativity and Philanthropy: Zambia's Barefeet Theater

Today’s world is becoming increasingly business-oriented. Not enough time, money, or appreciation is dedicated to the importance of the arts, and I think this is a huge disservice to humanity. As I’m approaching graduation and I’m faced with the reality of the need to choose a career path, I find myself conflicted in the debate about aid and charity. Is it good? If yes, how much is good? If no, then what are the other alternatives for improving the needs of this world?

I like the work of many international organizations working to improve the lives of people across the world, and I’m particularly interested in the works of micro-finance institutions who seek to provide others with the necessary capital and skills to forever change their lives. But I’ve come to realize the in order to change the world, the emphasis doesn’t always need to be on business. I’ve come to understand in my research and experiences that there is no one road to ‘development’ – both personal and international – but rather several approaches.

My Zambian sister Mazuba Kapambwe informed me of an excellent project in Zambia that realizes the transformative power in the arts – Barefeet Theater. Barefeet Theater is comprised of young adults who were or currently are on the streets of Zambia and uses theater, art, dance, music, and creative writing to engage these children and young adults with their community. Furthermore, it offers them a creative means through which to express themselves.

Barefeet Theater puts on a series of performances in Zambia as well as internationally, all of which lead up to their large Barefeet Festival which is held every August.

The members of Barefeet and their mission is truly inspirational. If you are currently in Zimbabwe or Zambia or you are headed there sometime soon, try to check them out Harare International Festival of Arts Wednesday May 1st and Saturday May 4th where they will be performing their award winning play Tujuka Must Die or in Lusaka, Zambia at the Lusaka Motor Club on April 24th and 25th.  If you miss these events, never fear, their Barefeet Festival will be held again next August!

Connect with Barefeet Theater: Twitter || Facebook || Website