The Griot

This unique work of art known as “Nkok” in the Oku language is the artistic work of the Oku woman and it is for women only. It is carried on the back and used principally for transporting farm produce and firewood. What stroke the attention of this writer is the cone-like shape of the basket. It narrows down from top to bottom. When loaded, as one craft woman explained, it balances on the carrier’s back firmly and the weight of the content is not felt as much as that carried in a flat-bottom basket.

Joue moi le Menjang , a hit track of Dynasties Le Tigre 2015 album, La Loi de la Nature , is a commendable piece of art steaming with lessons for the curious. The lyrics, the rhythm, and the video maintain a rich mélange of cultural flavours that carry a salient message. The video depicts a journey that commences from a mesh of identity crisis and self-conflict and which then evolves into self-realisation; a realisation which eventually materialises to self-identification and acceptance. The beats are on a par with the video and its message and equally transition in three phases. The video is laid out on the canvas of a typical Cameroonian village. Dynastie encounters a young boy, on a corridor-like farm road, who reminds him of his childhood dreams and longing for a foreign land and culture.

Today is International Women’s Day and as the founder and president of The Griot, I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of two great ladies. This doubles as an introduction and celebration of these formidable members of The Griot Family who have been working behind the scenes. Geraldine Njang M. She is the Secretary General and is responsible for the smooth running of the secretariat. Her diploma in Secretarial Computing and experience in public relations make her a square peg in a square hole. Her great editorial skills have lightened the drudgery of paper work. With a BA and MA in Letters, she is prepared to revolutionise the griot culture.