The stage is set and ready for use as the curtains are finally drawn in the hall of the Douala French Institute. A long rope hangs on one side, a small wooden mortar placed up-right adjacent to it. Far away at the other end of the stage, a figure emerges.
A bent person, face covered (by dreadlocks), barefooted, with both hands tied, moving slowly towards the rope, as if to carry out her own execution. Her steps are steadily guided by the sounds of an instrumental music playing from the background. Her pace is irregular because her hands are bounded. From time to time, she struggles to free herself. She engages in a rhythmic dance, each move carefully coordinated by the ongoing melody, but her efforts only result in a whimper. And this goes on and on.
Michèle Ndjongui, Cameroonian-born contemporary dancer presented her solo piece titled in French "La fille SOS," last Friday, February 7. The artistic performance was created in Senegal at "l'Ecole des Sables" where it was first performed, then in France under French sponsorship. The script recounts her personal experience, though relating to the women folk as a whole. The desire to be, dream and see them realised, despite existing constraints, considered as enemies of progress. Questions about identity, belief and aspirations for a better being, irrespective of what others think; aim towards a better society, transcending self-imposed limitations.
Step by step, Michèle Ndjoungui leads her spectators through an emotional voyage, recounted by her facial expressions and body language. Every time she ventures to step out of the stage, her "rope" brings her back. Each moment she stretches her hands too wide, the bond retains her movement. Symbolising how far she is permitted to go. Like a caged animal, the artiste depicts a series of gestures, underlying the prevailing situation in most societies today.
From time to time, she stops, to catch her breath, as if in a confused mindset. The words that accompany her stage performance are pregnant with meanings. The carefully selected songs recall aspects like the Negro experience, alongside evolving theories such as feminism and emancipation. The dancer's monologue gradually unveils her burning desire to live beyond standards. Slowly and surely, she finally gains the ability to soar high by ... "freeing herself!".
