PARIS, June 22, 2021. / gabrielsluxblog/–
The African Diaspora was commemorating the world reknowed artist and Cameroonian musician Manu Dibango this Tuesday June 22, 2021.
The ceremony held at the Eglise de la Madeleine in Paris 8th District, was organized under the high patronage of His Excellency H.E Andre Magnus Ekoumou Cameroon’s ambassador to France, representing the President of Cameroon was very moving. The Icon Manu Dibango had been swept away by Covid-19 1 year earlier, on March 24, 2020.
An inter-religious ceremony with an Imam, a Pastor and a Priest was held with the emotion was palpable when the choirs sang one of his hit songs « sangho Yesus Christo » meaning our father jesus christ, drawing tears to family and friends and some 1000 people from the diaspora, who came to pay a tribute to « Grand Manu » as called by Cameroonians with affection. Among the distinguish guests, the Secretary general of La Francophonie Louise Mushikiwabo, and Arnaud Ngatcha, Deputy Mayor in charge of international relations and francophonie representing the Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo
» We were all emotional, this tribute to Manu Dibango, this immense artist that Paris loves. I am very happy today on behalf of the mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo, to have been able to pay tribute to him on behalf of the city of Paris » _ said Arnaud Ngatcha, Paris’s Deputy Mayor of International Relations and Francophonie.
The ceremony was very festive despite the sadness. « There was both emotion and joy; people were singing because Manu would have loved it. He was a very happy person » said a guest. During the keynote address, S.E.M. André Magnus Ekoumou, Cameroon’s Ambassador to France, stressed the importance of recognizing Manu Dibango, an artist who served his country with patriotism, love and devotion.
» All cameroonians are celebrating Manu Dibango at the moment, and the President of Cameroon would like the diaspora to be as authentic as the patriarch Manu was. » added H.E ambassador Andre Magnus Ekounou.
About Manu
« Tonton Manu » was posthumously elevated to the rank of « Grand Cordon » of Cameroonian merit by the Cameroon Head of State through his representative Ambassador Andre Magnus Ekounou.
Emmanuel « Manu » Dibango was born in Douala, Cameroon in 1933. His father, Michel Manfred N’Djoké Dibango, was a civil servant, and his mother was a fashion designer, running her own small business. He was a member of the seminal Congolese rumba group African Jazz and has collaborated with many other musicians, including Fania All Stars, Fela Kuti, Herbie Hancock, King Sunny Adé, Don Cherry, and Sly and Robbie. He achieved a considerable following in the UK with a disco hit called « Big Blow », originally released in 1976 and re-mixed as a 12″ single in 1978 on Island Records. In 1998, he recorded the album CubAfrica with Cuban artist Eliades Ochoa. At the 16th Annual Grammy Awards in 1974, he was nominated in the categories Best R&B Instrumental Performance and Best Instrumental Composition for « Soul Makossa ».[1
The song « Soul Makossa » on the record of the same name contains the lyrics « makossa », which means « (I) dance » in his native tongue, the Cameroonian language Duala. It has influenced popular music hits, including Kool and the Gang’s « Jungle Boogie ». On 24 March 2020, Dibango died from COVID-19 in Melun near Paris. May his soul « makossa » rest in Peace.
Angele Ventugol Onyie MBA, MPA, MS, is a multi awarded Sr. International Consultant in Public Affairs, Global Communications and International Development. She is a SDG’s Advocate and the Luxury expert. She write about her work, passion and everything she love. Angele own an MBA in Management & Marketing, a MPA in Public Administration and a MS. in Political Sciences. She is also a TV Producer & Host of the multicultural show THE Princess Angele Show.
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