Cameroon comes alive with sound of music

Cameroon was alive with the sound of music this weekend as thousands descended upon Douala to celebrate the much anticipated Fête de la Musique.

Various podiums popped up around the economic capital, to host a range of musical talent, including the Marion Stadium, Carrefour Shell New Bell, Bessengue Station entrance, Bonabéri, Bonamoussadi, French Institute of Cameroon, Douala antenna and the Old Secretariat in Bali.


Otherwise known as World Music Day, the event is held on June 21 every year in countries across the globe to mark the first day of summer for many cities.


The threat of rain was never far away but the crowd didn’t let that dampen their spirits as they grooved to the various beats echoing around the city walls.


Urban music was honoured at this year’s 33rd annual event and crowds bopped to the likes of Tizeu No Name Crew, Roggy Stentor, Boudor and Djadja.


The gospel was also at the party in Bessengue, which attracted singer Ella Sara and her buddies, while festivalgoers in Bali preferred to plunge fully into their roots, traditions and heritage by getting lost to the rhythm of Makunè, drums and other percussions.

People partied until the early hours of Sunday morning to the waves of music which had begun very early on Saturday with a touch of radio nostalgia and a special issue of Afro Beat.


Young talents, Armand Biyag, who is just back from N'sangu Ndji-Ndji festival, and Dino Flo, author of a debut album entitled "Olny Mba”, gave the crowd an unforgettable performance and Richard Bona and Congolese singer Freddy Massamba also graced the stage.


A meeting was held last Thursday in the multipurpose room of the regional delegation of Arts and Culture on the theme of "Urban Music in Cameroon: colour trends for what identity?” The program was held within a framework of a series of activities relating to the celebration.


The only real downside the joyful jubilations was the lack of financial resources to enable the artists to perform. Some received no help at all and had to borrow money to organise and participate in the weekends festivities.