Rita knows how much I hate dying minute invitations but she keeps sending them. Someone invites you for a party as though they wanted to send off an extra invitation which they did not want to waste.
Rita was well dressed and was really eager to attend Bih's wedding. Bih was getting married to Etchu, her long-time friend from secondary school. But why did Etchu not think of giving us an invitation before now? I really did not think we should go, but Rita insisted.
I know Rita, she was not going to this wedding because she really cared about Etchu. She just wanted a forum where she could show her great curves and new car. That’s Rita!
When we arrived, guests were already at the reception ground. I wanted us to get in, but Rita was on the phone forever. Ah, my Rita! No one was calling her. She just wanted to delay so that by the time we stroll in, everyone would be in their seat.
Finally, we got into the hall. Rita took her time walking down the isle as though she was the bride of the evening. The hostesses ushered us to a table where some "show show" boys were seated. To Rita, it was an answered prayer. She could actually show off here. All the boys on this table looked to me like "Kale Wales". Kale Wales are those boys who go to Dubai and when their visas get expired, they refuse to return. If they are not Kale Wales, they are "been tos” - (I’ve been to blah blah blah). Or supposed (supposed rich, supposed to have been to..., supposed celeb, supposed whatever!).
While we were still waiting for the bride and groom, one guy entered the hall and all eyes were on him. He was wearing a sanja, a clean white shirt and a typical graffi contri cap. I just fell in love with his dressing. As I turned to Rita to compliment the guy, one of the "been tos" made a comment that almost earned him a slap from me. He said: “I say ehhh, na weti wit dis graffi boy dem. Dey must dress off?"
I wondered what was “off” about the former’s attire. Somebody trying to do a mélange of Cameroonian attires and this "been to" is talking dull! Just as I was about to respond, the MC announced the bride and the groom as they danced to Flavour’s Ada Ada . Everyone seemed to know the lyrics of the song, but what marvelled me most was their outfit. They dressed like people from Oweri local government in Nigeria. The lady had a big ngeleh on her head with bids all over her. She looked more of Chioma than Bih. And the guy? Izuuna not Etchu ohh!.
I started wondering what was happening to our culture – the Camer culture! I cannot recall the number of traditional weddings I have attended in Camer and everyone is dressed like Naijas. What is happening to our njaps, sanjas or kabbas? We have thrown away our own and have embraced another man's own simply because he has branded his well. Naija songs have taken over our weddings. Is there anything wrong with dancing to Magasco's Marry Me? Do we have an issue with Mani Bella, Mr Leo, Koko Argentine, Renisse? Yesterday, it was the White colonial master. Today, it is the Naija colonial master!
People no longer speak Francanglais or our own pidgin. Everyone has gone ‘abi’, ‘wahala’, etc.
Oh! Have you been to Camer movie sets? Cheii!! Da one woss! Everyone on set is a Nigerian. Quan je go donc en set ehh, je wanda seulement. I was still thinking when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned around to see who it was. Wonders shall never end! Guess who I saw…
EDITOR”S NOTE Ifaana – The Jotter is a specialized column on TIPTOPSTARS that addresses common society issues that works enormously on our understanding and perception of people, places, events, etc. The columnist, Ifaana Qualar, a young Cameroonian communicator and actor, is a keen observer of her society’s evolution. This evolution comes along with a whole lot of phenomenal trends that never escape the writers attention. She is known to move along with a mini note book in her hand bag. Each day she steps out of her home, this note book records ever ‘insolite’ (odd) that comes it way. Translating it into pieces of publishable writing has been Ifaana’s most recent professional assignment and the Doula-based reporter finds infinite pleasure doing that. You may like to share your stories with her as well. Contact the writer at
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Ernest Kanjo
The current most valuable Cameroonian actress has declared that she was far from being an ‘A Lister’ in the industry, when she was contacted to play lead character in Kiss of Death, the movie that has catapulted her to the top. From the said movie, Onyama Laura won the best Cameroonian actress award at the 2016 Ecrans Noirs film festival.
Onyama was speaking on African Fiesta, a midweek magazine show on Apex 1 Radio (www.apex1radio.com) few days after Ecrans Noirs crowned her. “I got on this project by the grace of God, it was a miracle,” Onyama told the show.
Even when her name was pronounced as winner in her category, the Limbe-based actress couldn’t immediately believe. “I had always known I would win awards eventually, especially from Kiss of Death, but Ecrans Noirs was not on my mind,” she explained.
Onyama, in a non-negotiable display of determination, told Apex 1 Radio that she was ready to consolidate that title, regardless of its weight. “I know who I am, I’m equal to the task and more than ready to keep the best Cameroonian actress title,” the actress who doubles of President of the Limbe branch of the National Actors’ Guild of Cameroon, NAGCAM told us.
Onyama played Naya, lead character in Kiss of Death. The movie addresses the issue of early marriages and seeks to provide headway to this social problem that deters young girls from benefitting duly from their rights to education.
Before filming Kiss of Death and Dark Sunshine that were shot at the same time by the same team, the actress who has been the talk of her industry at least, within the past week, did other movies, including Decoded and Kumba Bread.
Meanwhile, Kiss of Death will officially see the light of day on September 24 this year, at a première billed for Dallas, Texas, USA. The movie is produced by Ala Leonard, with Edith Pikwa as Executive Producer and directed by Musing Derick.
Merlisa Determined is a multiple award-winning actress with a household name within the American Independent films domain and African film industry in the diaspora. The Carribean American actress’ who is who status has been won, thanks to her immeasurable contribution to the amazing growth of the industry.
Merlisa shines in some of the most beautifully crafted African movies in the United States of America including the 2015 International Canadian Film Festival award-winning Pound of Flesh and Far, an Ikechukwu Onyeka film shot in Cameroon. On the other hand Merlisa is known for her fine-cut acting skill which has increasingly becoming irresistible to film producers and directors.
As if that were not enough, Merlisa’s other artistic gifts – on air radio performance (on KYND 1520 pm broadcasting in Houston, Texas where she hosts a Saturday show from 5pm to 8pm Central time) and hosting of live events have gradually come into the picture and are fast winning the admiration of many, including African entertainment promoters.
The latter skill is what fans of the actress and guests to the 2016 edition of the New Generation Awards (N.E.G.A) would be savoring come August. “Ever since it was announced that Merlisa will be hosting the second edition of N.E.G.A with Van Vicker, my excitement has increased ten folds,” Kelsie, a Cameroonian film lover based in Maryland told TIPTOPSTARS. The young admirer of the actress told us that Merlisa whips pleasure of great acting and hosting across her spines and she won’t afford to miss any close opportunity to watch her perform live. “That’s why I’ll be first to arrive at the Fillmore Hall on August the 6th,” she promised.
Kelsie also told us that she has watched some of Merlisa’s TV show from Houston Caribbean Festival events on YouTube and enjoys doing so over and over.
“I can’t wait, I’m looking forward to meeting some of my best two actors as they host N.E.G.A,”Felwine, another Cameroonian in Maryland who says she hopes to get into acting soon, told us. Felwine had watched Far some late last year and fallen in love with Merlisa’s acting. “I can imagine how brilliant she would be at N.E.G.A, couple with the fact that she will be accompanied by another great actor,” she went on.
On his part, Freddy doffed his hat to the organizers of N.E.G.A. “What a pair!,” he simply exclaimed, referring to Merlisa and Vicker.
Talking to TIPTOPSTARS, Merlisa Determined explained that she was contacted by the organizers of Next Generation Awards to host the event.
N.E.G.A will not be the first hosting experience for Merlisa, who is also an Accredited UN Ambassador to Strategic Alignment of Like Minds - Insurmountable Woman since 2014. She is currently the television host of the Caribbean festival. She also hosted the Courage to Dare breast cancer awareness fashion event and many others.
The second edition of the New Generation Awards takes place at the Fillmore Hall in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA on Saturday August 6, 2016. It is co-organized by Inspires Africa (IA) and Perfect Production, a film production outfit run byBenadette Keyi . Merlisa’s co-host will be African A List actor Joseph Van Vicker from Ghana.
Sienna, Chloe and Ethan are three middle-aged Australians whose knack for paintings, they say, is unquantifiable. The trio has particular interest in paintings that depict Africa, a continent they have visited twice and are poised on doing so again and again. While in Tanzania during their maiden visit to the continent, the Australians report that they were fascinated with magnificent paintings at some of the country’s most cherished museums. “It was an unforgettable experience,” Chloe told TIPTOPSTARS.
When they learned, at press time, that Cameroon’s frontline fine artist and painter, Shiri Achu will be exhibiting her works in Australia this year, the tourists were gripped by an inexplicable joy. “Wow! I can’t wait! We will be looking forward to this exhibition, we love paintings, especially the ones done by Africans,” Sienna, overwhelmed with excitement told us. “It’s one great opportunity we cannot afford to miss, African paintings mean a lot to us, we adore them,” said Chloe.
To Ethan, Shiri Achu is doing them a lot of good by deciding to visit Australia. “And, it’s happening at the right time when we badly needed to get another feel of what we experienced during our two previous trips to Africa,” the Australian lad explained.
Just like the three fine arts lovers, other people living in South Australian and precisely Adelaide are anxiously looking forward to ‘37 In Print: AUS’, as the USA-based Cameroonian painter’s exhibition is dubbed. For one week, they will be treated to some of their best moments in art appreciation with 37 beautifully Framed Signed Limited Edition Shiri Achu Art Prints which they will be able to purchase at very affordable prices.
“During the opening or private view on Thursday July 14, guests to 37 In Print will also be treated to live music from the fabulous Moore Black & The Organic Roots
,” the artist mentioned in a statement sent to our newsroom.
She added: “At the closing party on Saturday July 23 which will be live streamed, a raffle competition will produced a lucky winner who will go home with Midnight Tradition, what I describe as the original painting.” “Also, during the evening of the closing ceremony that will be characterized by dancing entertainment, three runners-up will win signed framed limited edition prints of Midnight Tradition,” the artist told us.
‘37 In Print’ comes after ’35 In Print’ which took place at the Strand Gallery in London from April 19 – 25, and ‘36 In Print’ at the Gallery A in Washington D.C from May 5 – 14, 2016.
According to Shiri Achu, her art comes from every day, unsurprising yet unexpectedly vivid moments, times, places and objects. She seeks to capture the spirit of her subjects and make them come alive through form, colour, texture and tone. She draws insight from her travels but in general her inspiration is very broad; from natural moments captured in Africa to still objects, from the human form to the human in action.
’37 In Print’ is definitely an exhibition not to miss. Buy your raffle ticket(s) now to enter the competition! For more information
Draw date is Sat, 23rd July @ 7pm (South Australian time)
Stream in Live from 6.30pm. From 7pm the winners will be announced!!!
Valued at $10,000, Acrylics on Canvas, 76cmX102cm, this painting 'Midnight Tradition' was painted precisely 7 years ago in 2009. Midnight Tradition features on page 65 of the International Contemporary masters VII and was selected as a Finalist for the Cliftons Art Prize 2012, Adelaide/Australia http://www.cliftonsartprize.com/2012/adelaide
The Celestial Chorus choir of the St Peter and Paul Parish, University of Buea, is organizing a musical concert this Sunday June 12, 2016, at the Dorothy Limunga Amphitheatre. The concert which will kick off at 5pm is dubbed “I’m bound for the promised land."
Tambe Joel, emeritus music director, stated that this theme was chosen because Celestial Chorus is a host of Angels in heaven and as such, the choir is bound for the promised land.
“The choral group has a mission to evangelize,” the Vice President, Mfon Lizette further highlighted. “Music is food for the soul and people feel relieved when they listen to music,” Mfon went further.
According to the chorister, the choral group which is made entirely of young people, preaches to the public through concerts. “In the process, we invite people from different domains to come and be blessed,” Mfon stated.
Saturday’s concert will run in two phases - eating competition with members as contestants and singing proper.
Ahead of the concert, there have been a few challenges face. "Some new choristers are inexperienced and it has not been quite easy to drill them,” Lawrence Nwoke, the music director said. He said further: “Also, since the choir is affiliated to a church, there were activities that hindered the smooth functioning of practice sessions.” Nwoke howeevrer said rehearsals were intense and the Celestians are ready for the concert of Sunday.
One of the choristers, Larissa will be on stage and in front of a mass audience for the first time. Her excitement could not hide. “It’s my maiden performance and I cannot wait for Saturday,” she told TIPTOPSTARS. Also featuring at the concert will be St Peter and Paul Parish Choir, Martin Choir and Choeur D'Anges.
The News
The current most valuable Cameroonian actress has declared that she was far from being an ‘A Lister’ in the industry, when she was contacted to play lead character in Kiss of Death, the movie that has catapulted her to the top. From the said movie, Onyama Laura won the best Cameroonian actress award at the 2016 Ecrans Noirs film festival.
Merlisa Determined is a multiple award-winning actress with a household name within the American Independent films domain and African film industry in the diaspora. The Carribean American actress’ who is who status has been won, thanks to her immeasurable contribution to the amazing growth of the industry.
The young admirer of the actress told us that Merlisa whips pleasure of great acting and hosting across her spines and she won’t afford to miss any close opportunity to watch her perform live. “That’s why I’ll be first to arrive at the Fillmore Hall on August the 6th,” she promised.
Sienna, Chloe and Ethan are three middle-aged Australians whose knack for paintings, they say, is unquantifiable. The trio has particular interest in paintings that depict Africa, a continent they have visited twice and are poised on doing so again and again. While in Tanzania during their maiden visit to the continent, the Australians report that they were fascinated with magnificent paintings at some of the country’s most cherished museums. “It was an unforgettable experience,” Chloe told TIPTOPSTARS.
She added: “At the closing party on Saturday July 23 which will be live streamed, a raffle competition will produced a lucky winner who will go home with Midnight Tradition, what I describe as the original painting.” “Also, during the evening of the closing ceremony that will be characterized by dancing entertainment, three runners-up will win signed framed limited edition prints of Midnight Tradition,” the artist told us.
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