CAMERFEELING
Non classé

MANU Dibango’s 50 years of success.

  • 15 janvier 2008
 World renowned artist and international superstar, Manu Dibango was born on December12, 1933 in Douala, Cameroon, as Emmanuel Ndjocké DIBANGO. The saxophonist, Manu Dibango, is often referred to as The Lion of Cameroon, and his music has taken him all over the world. He has been working as a UNESCO Artist for Peace. The 75-year-old Dibango celebrated his 50th anniversary in music with the release of Lion of Africa, a live recording of a recent concert in London.
As a music icon and Soul makossa king, Manu Dibango, began celebrations marking the Golden Jubilee of his musical career on December 18, 2007 in Yaoundé. These Golden Jubilee celebrations of the man who for 50 years has faithfully projected the image of the country abroad through music were patronised by President Paul BIYA. Developing a big sound like Sonny Rollins’s, Dibango expanded his horizons and became a band leader, playing soul, funk and hiphop in concert halls and clubs around Europe. He was a World Music pioneer before the term was invented.

As part of celebration marking half a century in music, Manu staged a grand concert at the “Casino de Paris” on March 20, 2007 accompanied by his 14 man band of musicians known as “Maraboutik Band”.

Manu in Cameroon

During his visit to Cameroon, the musician was special guest at the Presidency during the New Year wishes ceremony granted to President Paul Biya by the Diplomatic and National dignitaries. He was equally received in audience by Prime Minister, Ephraim Inoni and the Minister of Culture, AmaTutu Muna. He visited the Chantal Biya Foundation and staged a number of musical concerts in Yaoundé and Douala.

Manu was thankful to the head of state Paul Biya, for inviting him to celebrate the Golden jubilee of his musical career in Cameroon. He says amongst his priorities is the need to project Cameroon’s image abroad through music.  A film on a Paris concert that launched his silver jubilee celebration was projected at the Hilton hotel. A host of journalists assembled to ask more about the man whose popularity world wide remains a pride to his compatriots.

Manu Dibango was raised to the rank of “Honorary Citizen” by the Government Delegate of the Yaoundé Urban council, Gilbert Tsimi Evouna, who also gave him a symbolic key of the Yaoundé city council. One advice from the delegate to the visiting star: “…show the light and let young Cameroonians follow…”

As part of his jubilee celebration in Cameroon, the international music star also communed with CRTV personnel, during a visit at the production centre; a visit that was punctuated by an audience accorded him by CRTV’s General Manager Amadou Vamoulke. Manu Dibango’s presence at the CRTV news room was an occasion for the soul makossa star to get closer to the men and women who bring the news to the public.

Brief history

Manu started as a professional musician in February 1957 in Brussels after he left Cameroon at the age of 15. His Parents sacrificed to pay for college in France in those days when money was very scarce, this ushered in an occasion to study classical piano. Manu Dibango’s musical career was also, influenced by his family background. His mother was a choir mistress while his paternal uncle played harmonium. Manu at his early age had access to this instrument that was not very familiar to Africans.
 
Manu Dibango: A New Race 

Manu Dibango makes it abundantly clear that he belongs to a new race, he is a musician. He does not want to be referred to as a Cameroonian, a French citizen or what ever.

His characteristic shaven cranium (skull) makes him much younger. This “Look” of his, is only reminiscent of a wise village elder, and he does indeed have a philosophical tongue. The portrait of a pop star, Oral historian and father can easily be depicted from his age, what he does and what he says.

One of his most popular hits was written and recorded in 1972 in New York. Millions of copies of «Soul Makossa" (based on a Cameroonian dance) was sold around the world.  One popular magazine has rated Manu Dibango’s new album "Wakafrika" as star map of the world beat… The Pop Star is still creating Afro-global fusions that are both professional and enjoyable."

Elvis Teke.

Leave your vote

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

Start typing and press Enter to search

CAMERFEELING
Non classé

MANU Dibango’s 50 years of success.

  • 15 janvier 2008
 World renowned artist and international superstar, Manu Dibango was born on December12, 1933 in Douala, Cameroon, as Emmanuel Ndjocké DIBANGO. The saxophonist, Manu Dibango, is often referred to as The Lion of Cameroon, and his music has taken him all over the world. He has been working as a UNESCO Artist for Peace. The 75-year-old Dibango celebrated his 50th anniversary in music with the release of Lion of Africa, a live recording of a recent concert in London.
As a music icon and Soul makossa king, Manu Dibango, began celebrations marking the Golden Jubilee of his musical career on December 18, 2007 in Yaoundé. These Golden Jubilee celebrations of the man who for 50 years has faithfully projected the image of the country abroad through music were patronised by President Paul BIYA. Developing a big sound like Sonny Rollins’s, Dibango expanded his horizons and became a band leader, playing soul, funk and hiphop in concert halls and clubs around Europe. He was a World Music pioneer before the term was invented.

As part of celebration marking half a century in music, Manu staged a grand concert at the “Casino de Paris” on March 20, 2007 accompanied by his 14 man band of musicians known as “Maraboutik Band”.

Manu in Cameroon

During his visit to Cameroon, the musician was special guest at the Presidency during the New Year wishes ceremony granted to President Paul Biya by the Diplomatic and National dignitaries. He was equally received in audience by Prime Minister, Ephraim Inoni and the Minister of Culture, AmaTutu Muna. He visited the Chantal Biya Foundation and staged a number of musical concerts in Yaoundé and Douala.

Manu was thankful to the head of state Paul Biya, for inviting him to celebrate the Golden jubilee of his musical career in Cameroon. He says amongst his priorities is the need to project Cameroon’s image abroad through music.  A film on a Paris concert that launched his silver jubilee celebration was projected at the Hilton hotel. A host of journalists assembled to ask more about the man whose popularity world wide remains a pride to his compatriots.

Manu Dibango was raised to the rank of “Honorary Citizen” by the Government Delegate of the Yaoundé Urban council, Gilbert Tsimi Evouna, who also gave him a symbolic key of the Yaoundé city council. One advice from the delegate to the visiting star: “…show the light and let young Cameroonians follow…”

As part of his jubilee celebration in Cameroon, the international music star also communed with CRTV personnel, during a visit at the production centre; a visit that was punctuated by an audience accorded him by CRTV’s General Manager Amadou Vamoulke. Manu Dibango’s presence at the CRTV news room was an occasion for the soul makossa star to get closer to the men and women who bring the news to the public.

Brief history

Manu started as a professional musician in February 1957 in Brussels after he left Cameroon at the age of 15. His Parents sacrificed to pay for college in France in those days when money was very scarce, this ushered in an occasion to study classical piano. Manu Dibango’s musical career was also, influenced by his family background. His mother was a choir mistress while his paternal uncle played harmonium. Manu at his early age had access to this instrument that was not very familiar to Africans.
 
Manu Dibango: A New Race 

Manu Dibango makes it abundantly clear that he belongs to a new race, he is a musician. He does not want to be referred to as a Cameroonian, a French citizen or what ever.

His characteristic shaven cranium (skull) makes him much younger. This “Look” of his, is only reminiscent of a wise village elder, and he does indeed have a philosophical tongue. The portrait of a pop star, Oral historian and father can easily be depicted from his age, what he does and what he says.

One of his most popular hits was written and recorded in 1972 in New York. Millions of copies of «Soul Makossa" (based on a Cameroonian dance) was sold around the world.  One popular magazine has rated Manu Dibango’s new album "Wakafrika" as star map of the world beat… The Pop Star is still creating Afro-global fusions that are both professional and enjoyable."

Elvis Teke.

Leave your vote

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

Start typing and press Enter to search

CAMERFEELING
Non classé

MANU Dibango’s 50 years of success.

  • 15 janvier 2008
 World renowned artist and international superstar, Manu Dibango was born on December12, 1933 in Douala, Cameroon, as Emmanuel Ndjocké DIBANGO. The saxophonist, Manu Dibango, is often referred to as The Lion of Cameroon, and his music has taken him all over the world. He has been working as a UNESCO Artist for Peace. The 75-year-old Dibango celebrated his 50th anniversary in music with the release of Lion of Africa, a live recording of a recent concert in London.
As a music icon and Soul makossa king, Manu Dibango, began celebrations marking the Golden Jubilee of his musical career on December 18, 2007 in Yaoundé. These Golden Jubilee celebrations of the man who for 50 years has faithfully projected the image of the country abroad through music were patronised by President Paul BIYA. Developing a big sound like Sonny Rollins’s, Dibango expanded his horizons and became a band leader, playing soul, funk and hiphop in concert halls and clubs around Europe. He was a World Music pioneer before the term was invented.

As part of celebration marking half a century in music, Manu staged a grand concert at the “Casino de Paris” on March 20, 2007 accompanied by his 14 man band of musicians known as “Maraboutik Band”.

Manu in Cameroon

During his visit to Cameroon, the musician was special guest at the Presidency during the New Year wishes ceremony granted to President Paul Biya by the Diplomatic and National dignitaries. He was equally received in audience by Prime Minister, Ephraim Inoni and the Minister of Culture, AmaTutu Muna. He visited the Chantal Biya Foundation and staged a number of musical concerts in Yaoundé and Douala.

Manu was thankful to the head of state Paul Biya, for inviting him to celebrate the Golden jubilee of his musical career in Cameroon. He says amongst his priorities is the need to project Cameroon’s image abroad through music.  A film on a Paris concert that launched his silver jubilee celebration was projected at the Hilton hotel. A host of journalists assembled to ask more about the man whose popularity world wide remains a pride to his compatriots.

Manu Dibango was raised to the rank of “Honorary Citizen” by the Government Delegate of the Yaoundé Urban council, Gilbert Tsimi Evouna, who also gave him a symbolic key of the Yaoundé city council. One advice from the delegate to the visiting star: “…show the light and let young Cameroonians follow…”

As part of his jubilee celebration in Cameroon, the international music star also communed with CRTV personnel, during a visit at the production centre; a visit that was punctuated by an audience accorded him by CRTV’s General Manager Amadou Vamoulke. Manu Dibango’s presence at the CRTV news room was an occasion for the soul makossa star to get closer to the men and women who bring the news to the public.

Brief history

Manu started as a professional musician in February 1957 in Brussels after he left Cameroon at the age of 15. His Parents sacrificed to pay for college in France in those days when money was very scarce, this ushered in an occasion to study classical piano. Manu Dibango’s musical career was also, influenced by his family background. His mother was a choir mistress while his paternal uncle played harmonium. Manu at his early age had access to this instrument that was not very familiar to Africans.
 
Manu Dibango: A New Race 

Manu Dibango makes it abundantly clear that he belongs to a new race, he is a musician. He does not want to be referred to as a Cameroonian, a French citizen or what ever.

His characteristic shaven cranium (skull) makes him much younger. This “Look” of his, is only reminiscent of a wise village elder, and he does indeed have a philosophical tongue. The portrait of a pop star, Oral historian and father can easily be depicted from his age, what he does and what he says.

One of his most popular hits was written and recorded in 1972 in New York. Millions of copies of «Soul Makossa" (based on a Cameroonian dance) was sold around the world.  One popular magazine has rated Manu Dibango’s new album "Wakafrika" as star map of the world beat… The Pop Star is still creating Afro-global fusions that are both professional and enjoyable."

Elvis Teke.

Leave your vote

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

Start typing and press Enter to search

CAMERFEELING
Non classé

Mode : Le chic-choc des marques locales

  • 16 août 2007

Les collections des Camerounais peuvent-elles faire reculer la friperie et les produits chinois ?
Marion Obam – Il a fallu attendre l’année 2004 pour que le marché camerounais du vêtement enregistre la première marque locale de prêt-à-porter, qui crée des modèles en série. A côté de la haute couture qui ne servait qu’une poignée de personnes considérée comme des nantis, il fallait aussi trouver une marque qui s’ouvre aux autres classes. Le Camerounais John Kouoh, un créateur de mode qui travaille avec du lin et tous les tissus en coton, a ainsi lancé la marque John. Il a pris un espace au Carrefour Paris Dancing à Akwa et commence petit à petit à créer une niche de clients qui s’intéressent à ce que John propose. Son style est un agencement de la riche picturalité africaine, avec des motifs et des dessins tribaux assemblés et coupés de manière à transcender les barrières culturelles entre style africain et occidental.

Il est suivi dans cette voie, un an plus tard, par son compatriote Jules Wokam, qui a réussi, lui, à mettre au service de la mode ses qualités de designer et de peintre. La livraison s’appelle Too’maii, une ligne de vêtements d’une inspiration africaine dont les détails affirment l’identité de la marque. Jules Wokam a, en effet, fait le choix de ne pas travailler avec le raphia, le pagne ou le Bazin jusqu’à la dixième collection. Ceci, pour éviter d’être catalogué, car, d’après lui, "On peut parler de l’Afrique en utilisant d’autres codes". Il préfère donc le Denim (jeans), la mousseline et du lin.
La diversité, le goût et la qualité s’ajoutent à l’offre vestimentaire des Camerounais qui n’étaient réduit dans le prêt-à-porter qu’à l’offre des Chinois, la friperie et quelques magasins de vêtements offrant des produits européens et américains. Sauf que, cette fois, c’est une expertise camerounaise qui s’expose. Le choix de faire dans le prêt-à-porter a été dicté par plusieurs raisons. Pour Jules Wokam "Le terrain était vierge, car entre tout ce que le tailleur et les importations proposent, il y avait de la place.

Je voulais faire quelque chose d’accessible et qui soit facilement portable". John Kouoh, lui, a constaté "qu’il y avait un besoin. J’ai toujours vu la haute couture comme étant quelque chose d’élitiste et qu’on ne pouvait même pas porter. Ces dernières années le marché du vêtement a été dominé par les Chinois et la friperie. Je voulais proposer une ligne simple, épurée mais fonctionnelle, qui porte une identité africaine, tout en respectant les codes internationaux dans les coupes et les choix de matériaux". Si John Kouoh et Jules Wokam, les deux Camerounais qui ont commencé à écrire l’histoire du prêt-à-porter en série avec leurs marques, partagent le même désir de garder une identité africaine dans leur travail, la démarche artistique et les moyens de communication, pour être visible et gagner des parts de marché, sont cependant différents.

Distribution
John Kouoh lance sa première collection "Tendances urbaines" en 2004 pour sensibiliser les jeunes à croire en leur pays, et que l’on peut défendre certaines valeurs en s’habillant en africain. Pour cela, il fait diffuser des spots liés à ce thème pendant une dizaine de mois à la télévision. "Une très bonne expérience car cela m’a servi de tremplin pour être vu et connu", explique John. Lequel, à cette démarche, rajoute des apparitions dans les shows télévisés. Pour avoir une plus grande visibilité, il a déménagé de son premier showroom étroit pour s’installer dans un espace plus spacieux à la rue Drouot, et qui comprend un showroom, les ateliers et la boutique, qui laissent découvrir un pan de l’univers de l’artiste. De son côté, Jules Wokam, qui a décidé de faire deux collections par an pour habiller à la fois les hommes et les femmes, a une toute autre stratégie.
"Pour bien vendre Too’maii, la technique a été d’abord de trouver un partenaire financier qui accepte de porter la marque. Il fallait ensuite être présent où les gens achètent leurs vêtements, donc dans les magasins spécialisés. Ça a été le plus difficile. Mais, aujourd’hui, nous sommes présents dans plusieurs points de vente. Notamment à Wrangler, à Tsékénis et à Evaka Douala et Yaoundé. La presse a aussi été un soutien immense…", livre Jules Wokam.

Mais, la distribution reste le maillon faible de ces marques locales, qui sont, après trois ans d’existence seulement, disponibles dans une seule ville et dans un point de vente unique à Yaoundé, pour ne prendre que le cas de Too’maii. Cela ne permet par conséquent pas un décollage national et international, comme ce fut le cas pour les labels comme Dia ou Airness, qui, aujourd’hui, tutoient pratiquement Nike et Adidas.
L’autre talon d’Achille de John et Too’maii c’est la capacité de production. John Kouoh avoue : "Je ne suis pas encore une industrie. Je fabrique en mini série. Pour arriver à un stade satisfaisant, il faut que les artisans adoptent le souci du détail, mais aussi que des mécènes nous soutiennent.". La marque Too’maii a néanmoins fait des progrès, même si elle reste loin d’être une réponse à la demande locale. "La première collection Favelas chic a été faite en 500 pièces. Mais celle qui est en boutique aujourd’hui a atteint les 3000 pièces. Le problème c’est que au fur et à mesure que la demande croit, il faut former le personnel qui travaille pour que même si la quantité augmente, la qualité ne régresse pas. La vie dans ce marché nécessite la présence d’une dizaine d’autres marques locales", indique le créateur.

Modèles
Réticente au début, la population semble progressivement adhérer à cette nouvelle offre vestimentaire locale. La clientèle a doublé chez John et se recrute dans toutes les couches sociales qui peuvent avoir un pouvoir d’achat compris entre 15.000 et 30.000 Fcfa. Par ailleurs, il n’y a pas beaucoup de retour d’invendus pour Too’maii dont les collections sont de plus en plus attendues. Ces deux créateurs de mode, dans leur démarche, ont toujours pensé des vêtements en petites tailles, principalement destinés aux tailles filiformes. Le fait que les femmes camerounaises sont généralement rondes n’a pas influencé le processus de l’œuvre au début. Ce n’est que lors de la collection Masai de Too’maii que les grandes tailles apparaissent. Toutefois pour John qui habille beaucoup plus les hommes, la difficulté demeure. "J’ai créé une seule collection de femme, qui n’était pas accomplie pour moi. Pour satisfaire les femmes, il faut beaucoup plus de travail, d’exigence et, surtout, penser des vêtements grands pour qu’ils soient beaux". Certes, beaucoup de chemin a été parcouru dans la proposition de ces deux marques locales, que l’on aperçoit régulièrement dans les rues, dans un bureau, sur un plateau de télévision, en discothèque, etc., mais le développement dans la construction de ces modèles et dans leur offre reste faible pour une population estimée à près de 17 millions.

Leave your vote

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

Start typing and press Enter to search

close

Log In

Forgot password?

Forgot password?

Enter your account data and we will send you a link to reset your password.

Your password reset link appears to be invalid or expired.

Log in

Privacy Policy

Add to Collection

No Collections

Here you'll find all collections you've created before.