Yani Africa promotes Cameroonian culture

Yani Africa, a cultural and educational programme with the main aim to promote Cameroonian culture has gained another red feather after organising an inter-university competition.

Some 315 candidates from the University of Douala, “Institut Supérieur de Management,” ISMA and the “Institut Universitaire de la Cote,” IUC, started the race that kicked off in March 2016.

Some 45 finalists from the three institutions took part, culminating in the crowning of the “Queen and King Yani Africa 2016” in the Castle Hall, Douala on July 22, 2016.

During the inter-campus competition, candidates showcased their knowhow in the preparation of traditional meals, dance, fashion parade, singing, proverbs and mother tongues.

A qualified six-person jury with criteria known only to them, chose winners from each discipline and declared Ngwa Dominique of ISMA as overall winner with a score of 18.5 on 20. Lea Dipanda came second with 18.2 on 20. The two winners were crowned “Queen and King Yani Africa 2016.”

The vision bearer of the initiative, Olivier Dyl, disclosed that both the Queen and King will receive air tickets to a country of their choice where they will have the opportunity to see and experience other cultures.

According to Dyl, the proliferation of social media is influencing the behaviour of youth negatively; reason why such initiatives are organised to bring them to order.

It is said, “If you do not know where you come from, you will know where you are heading to, nor sell the Cameroonian culture,” he explained. The vision bearer enjoined youth to be proud of their culture.

During the finals that paid homage to Roger Moudio, Yani Africa’s partner and the designer of “Moukengue make,” the traditional ruler of Canton Bell, Douala, in the presence of administrative authorities, acclaimed the initiative and encouraged youth to guard their identity jealously.