Writing is a process, a commitment – Prof. Mbuh

Prof. Mbuh Tennu Mbuh has said Cameroonians should develop the spirit of writing because it is a process of developing the society and, above all, a commitment.

Prof. Mbuh was speaking recently during the launching of his books at the Chamber of Agriculture in Yaounde.

While calling on Cameroonians to cultivate the habit of reading, Prof. Mbuh said writers are not there to end Boko Haram or wars across the world but to inspire and lead people to see the future that will restrain them from social ills.

The author of three books, ‘In the Shadow of My Country, The Oracles of Tears and ‘The Death of Asobo-Ntsi, said his inspiration from the environment made him come out with what many people say is the art of being creative.

“Inspiration is something you cannot define and you do not know when it comes. The words of Prof. Annubody inspired me as he said to be a writer in a country like Cameroon, you should try as much as possible to use your legs and work whenever you are opportuned. To me, a writer is supposed to be up so as to observe the society.”

He said his 20 years in the wilderness have been rewarded.

Reviewing one of the books, The Oracle of Tears, Dr. Eric Nsuh Zuhmboshi, said the 51 insightful, critical and thought-provoking poems of different thematic orientations is one of the books that will inspire the young and old to better understand what the society is going through.

Dr. Nsuh describes the author as one whose message is so sharp, perceptive, committed, prophetic and, above all, uncompromising.

Mbuh said Anglophones should take the message seriously, adding that he should not be asked who Anglophones are, because they are known, including their territory.

Quoting poems like Hosannas on a Birthday, When the Vulture Swoops, To Our Hon MPs on Their Extra-Ordinary, Dr. Nsuh said the thematic discourses in the poems range from marginalisation, identity crisis, corruption, political sycophancy and chicanery, neo-colonialism and the general post-colonial despair, lamentation and dystopia.

On hand to support and encourage the author to reach higher heights were a host of scholars, including Prof. Babila Mutia, Dr. Miriam Ayafor Mafor Mbafor and Prof. Ernest Veyu.

Prof. Mbuh Tennu Mbuh hails from Pinyin in the Northwest Region. He obtained his B.A, Masters, and Doctorat de Troisieme Cycle in English Literacy studies from the University of Yaounde I.

He also holds a PhD from the University of Nottingham. He is a two-time laureate of the Bernard Fonlon Society Literary Award, founder of both, the Yaounde University Poetry Club, YUPOC, and Anglophone Cameroon Writers Association, ACWA.

Having taught in America as a Fullbright scholar-in-residence, Mbuh presently lectures at the Department of English Studies, University of Yaounde I.