Re: [camnetwork] Mishe FON / Jackson // Re: Mr. Owona // Re: THE BUSHFALLERS, Prologue

Mr. Mishe Fon,

Happy New Year! This is Emmanuel Konde, the Guru, writing. You mis-characterize me as an arrogant chest-thumbing historian. I do not chest-thumb; I write about the obvious. I am not a historian; I am a student of history. Nearly nine years in graduate school could not be expended on studying history. I received graduate training in public administration (1982-83), political philosophy and international relations (1983-84), European history (1984-85), African studies (anthropology, African history, economic history); Comparative Politics; United States foreign relations, European Diplomatic history.

My doctoral comprehensive examination encompassed African studies, European Diplomatic history, Comparative Politics and United States Foreign Relations. I elected to conduct research on women and politics in Cameroon because it was an area of research that had not been adequately explored. I was lucky to be allowed to select what I wanted to study. When my professors were satisfied and convinced of my mastery of the disciplines I had selected, they summoned me to a meeting and told me it was time to leave. I registered for the comprehensive examination, took it and passed (1988); wrote my reserach proposal (1989); went to Cameroon for field research (1989-1990); and composed my dissertation and successfully defended it (1991).

I am not bragging... just presenting you with the raw facts. How can I help it if in my presentation of arguments against ill-thought-out views I come accross as knowledgeable? What exactly do you expect of and from me?

"The problem of power is how to get men of power to live for the public rather than off the public." Robert F. Kennedy

From: Mishe Fon <mishefon@yahoo.com>
To: "camnetwork@yahoogroups.com" <camnetwork@yahoogroups.com>; cameroon politics <cameroon_politics@yahoogroups.com>; "ambasbay@googlegroups.com" <ambasbay@googlegroups.com>; "accdf@yahoogroups.com" <accdf@yahoogroups.com>; "creativiews@yahoogroups.com" <creativiews@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, January 5, 2014 12:26 PM
Subject: Re: [camnetwork] Jackson // Re: Mr. Owona // Re: THE BUSHFALLERS, Prologue

Instead of commenting about Toto Guillaume's Elimbi (a very good Makossa Ambassador...in fact one of the best) in the good Dokta's excellent "Bush Fallers" narrative, methinks, we should focus on the merits and demerits of the phenomenon as chronicled by the historian. It is a scholarly article which has exploitable data that could be used as reference for other research topics in understanding Cameroon Social dynamics. As arrogant and chest thumping as the author usually is, I must admit that he has a very brilliant mind, a very witty penmanship and captures the imagination of what common folks like some of us can only have in our fantasies. But I must hasten to remind everyone reading, that many other Authors have written on this same topic like the example here below:

Mishe Fon

FROM DUST TO SNOW

Traveling and living abroad can be a wonderful and rewarding experience, a dream come true for some, but it can also be a horrific and interminable nightmare. "From Dust to Snow: Bush-Faller" chronicles the true-life experiences of (Bush-Fallers) Africans (primarily Cameroonians), in Europe and the United States. Featuring more than twenty accounts from students, asylum seekers and the employed, contributors in this work of 'edutainment' ferry you through their experiences, first-hand, from the moment the idea of traveling overseas was conceived, through departure emotions, first impressions upon arrival, culture shock, hardships, comic moments, high points of each life, and even re-entry shock, including deportation. One way or the other, you should find yourself on one of the pages of this book, either as a foreigner or as a host. Prepare yourself for what is about to happen; Discover the African Dream, a Dream far bigger than Bush-falling.

This book fits into a very special class of its own. The experiences narrated are myriad yet compelling; they are enriching and inspiring. The timing is exquisite, given the craze, dreams and puzzles that adorn the now popular "bush falling" phenomenon in Cameroon and other developing countries. This is such a rare treasure that must be given its legitimate position on all personal, family and school bookshelves. (Peter Shu-Nfor Tangyie)

Go round Europe and the U.S.A. in a few hours by reading this exciting work. Written in simple, colloquial English, this easy to read but also highly educative book amalgamates on-the-spot experiences from people of all ages, walks of life, social class and sex. It is a must read to all African youths, especially UNIVERSITY students. It is worth more than every dime and calorie you spend on it. Ayu'nwi N. Nebafusi (University of Buea, Cameroon.)

The stories all sound like fiction but they are real life experiences; thrilling, funny, sad, too real to be true. FROM DUST TO SNOW is a recommendable reference for all, the young and the old, dying to "fall bush." Mrs Magarate and Dr Chemuta Banda (President of the Human rights Freedoms Commission, Yaounde Cameroon)

About the Author

Dr Wilfred and Lydia Ngwa were born in Cameroon. As Africans living in Europe and the US, they found themselves in a unique position to interact with many internationals (mostly other Africans) coming for studies, asylum and work. This book would not be possible without the willingness and openness of these people to share their experiences, however joyful or painful; foremost thanks go to them. They are the real authors of the stories.

On Sunday, January 5, 2014 11:00 AM, "ngunimicrowave@aol.com" <ngunimicrowave@aol.com> wrote:

Jackson,

I am 100% sure you are terribly mistaken. FYI, Toto G released "Elimbi" was in 1985 under Production TN label. Toto Guillaume's first album was "Dibonga" released in 1977 under Afro Disc label.

Do not confuse when he made name and when he went solo. Some artists release many song before making their first hit. Most people knew Fela R. Kuti after the release of Lady or Shakara whereas Fela had already released songs "Fogo-Fogo", "Njeun Kwoku", etc., many years before "Lady".

Many also believe that "Sweet Mother" was Prince Nico's first album whereas he had already released many SP's and LP's like "I No Go Marry My Papa", Suffer Dey", "Man Don Tire", etc., many years before the release of "Sweet Mother".

It may be surprising to you that "Elimbi" was the sixth release of Toto Guilaume in 1985. Between his first album "Dibonga" and his sixth "Elimbi", Toto released four other albums under Disques Esperance label.

Micro

In a message dated 1/5/2014 9:28:45 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, jacksonnanje@yahoo.com writes:

Sir. George Owona,Even the Great Micro is wrong on this one. Toto Guillaume last appearance on Cameroon"s musical platform was in 1984 with the Album "Elimbi na Ngomo" with songs like "Bato ba" and "Ndome" on it. We cannot and should not argue about this. I remember a schoolmate of mine, now a freshman parliamentarian, Bolive Mbanya, rushing into my hostel, on hearing me blast "Bato Ba" across hall screaming "this guy will kill me, this guy will kill me". He was referring to Toto Guillaume. I thought someone was chasing him. That is the same year, 1984, that he left for high school studies. So the year of Elimbi's release cannot be in 1985 as opined by the Great Pa Jacob, and Professor Konde's recollection date of the song's release is way off mark. www.nanjecreativethinking.blogspot.com www.youtube.com/NanjeMusicProduction www.nexsans.blogspot.com www.orokousa.org www.dideco.org www.nexsa.org"Resentment is like drinking poison and hoping that it will kill your enemy" Nelson Madiba Mandela "We must not continue to run away and allow our public opinions and the free expression of them become the enterprise of intolerance and incivility" Christmas Ebini "The Oroko intelligentsia is gifted with an eloquence that does not give blessings to development". Dr. Monica Njanjokuma "If you should know how much money you have in your bank account, then you should consider yourself a poor man" Michael Namaya. "Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people" Eleanor Roosevelt. "Being ignorant is not so much a shame, as being unwilling to learn" Benjamin Franklin" Creditors have better memories than debtors" Benjamin Franklin"If the only thing you have in your hand is a hammer, you tend to see everything else as a nail" Abraham Maslow. "Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do" Benjamin Franklin"Freedom granted by the oppressor is never the same as freedom won by the oppressed" Prof. Emmanuel Konde. --------------------------------------------On Sun, 1/5/14, Owona Georges Jules <ogeorgesjules@yahoo.com> wrote:Subject: Re: [camnetwork] Mr. Owona // Re: THE BUSHFALLERS, PrologueTo: "camnetwork@yahoogroups.com" <camnetwork@yahoogroups.com>Cc: "camnetwork@yahoogroups.com" <camnetwork@yahoogroups.com>Date: Sunday, January 5, 2014, 7:30 AM Dear Micro,I don't think Dr Konde made a typing errorbecause he describes that epoch as the "waning years ofAhmadou Ahidjo's Cameroon".Paul Biya was only "appointed" to thepresidency in 1982, three years before Toto Guillaumereleased "Elimbi".Therefore I prefer your second hypothesis, namelythat he missed the point.Sent from my iPhone 5SOn Jan 5, 2014, at 11:54 AM, ngunimicrowave@aol.comwrote: M. Owona,You are right. I guess Dr.Konde either made a typo error or just missed it. Elimbi Na NgomoPoso, if that is the song you guys are talking about, by Toto Guillaume wasreleased in 1985 and not 1975. If Dr. Konde was already inthe US by 1985, then he must be talking of a different song probably fromLes Black Styl, a band that released some Makossa hit songsin the 70's like Mba Na Na with Toto Guillaume on thelead guitar and Nkotti Francois on vocals. Toto Guillaume actually wentsolo in 1977 and so could not have released any song as a solo artist on orbefore 1975. I do not know whether BayHotel, Victoria, was even still functioning (with a live band) in the 80's as itwas in the 70's. In the 70's there were a lot of clubs/bars/hotels with livebands in the former West Cameroon. Victoria had Bay Hotel,Centenary Hotel and Soul Jungle at Half Mile.Tiko had Airport Hotel andDomino BarKumba had Lido Bar, Ringo Barand Gentil BarMamfe had ConfidenceHotelBamenda had about 7 live bandsat one point.Muyuka, Mutengene, Bali andMbonge had live bands as well. Micro In a message dated 1/5/2014 3:52:49 A.M. EasternStandard Time, ogeorgesjules@yahoo.comwrites: Dr Konde,Accept praises for the excellent narrative.However, I am a bit sceptical about the fact that youwere gyrating to the deafening blast of "Elimbi" by Toto Guillamein Bay Hotel in 1975.My records may not be very correct and I would notlike to start an argument with a Professor of History on a historical fact.Were you really dancing "Elimbi", by Toto Guillame in 1975? Itseems I danced it much later when it was just released.Sent from my iPhone 5S On Jan 5, 2014, at 8:48 AM, Emmanuel Konde <ekonde07@yahoo.com>wrote:THEBUSHFALLERS ____________________________________Rise of a New Breed of Cameroonians Emmanuel Konde Prologue A newkind of Cameroonian, either derogatively or approvinglydesignated as bushfaller in his native land, was conceived inthe 1970s by a variety of social forces that intersected and thenconverged to give social birth to this formidable breed in the early1990s. These forces, mainly political and economic,also contributed to the inauguration of a quasi-multiparty politicalsystem in the erstwhile single-party state of Cameroon, and, accordinglyunleashed a new ethos of aggressiveness among Cameroonians hitherto known fortheir passivity as a people who were always seen but seldom heard.Bushfallers, the human product of these forces of social change, arenot only smart, determined, daring, calculating, enterprising, at onceassertive and aggressive, but also seeminglyunstoppable. There seems to be nothing that this edition of bushfallerscannot accomplish if they set their minds on it. Theseare the new exports of Cameroon to the world. They areout to make money, the one thing that sets them apart from manygenerations before, and the one and only thing that compelled them to venture outof the Land of Promise into foreign lands far and wide.Markedly different from their antecedents who traveled abroad for variousreasons, the driving force behind this driven breed is money.Again, unlike their antecedents, bushfallers never forget theirroots. They are first and foremost Cameroonians,nationalists of sorts, and totally devoid of tribal sentiment; they lovetheir country, eschew tribal affiliations, are determined to make anindelible mark on the history of Cameroon, and to that end are making magic,literally, by their own exertions. This new breed istransforming Cameroon from the coastal town of Limbe through Kumba to theBamenda hinterlands. Former shanty townsare being remade by the remittances of bushfallers. Here and there marvelous buildings sprout from the soil like the corncrop. Indeed, even in the Bassa quartier Nkong Mondo in Douala,Francophone bushfaller wealth filtering into Cameroon fromGabon, Côte d'Ivoire, France, etc., is wreaking wonders there tothe utter amazement of Bamileke merchants who once thought of the NkongMondo Bassa youths as lazy and un-enterprising. Never before has Cameroon beheld a marvel like the one being wrought almost everywherein the country by bushfallers. It isimprobable that such a breath-taking marvel could again be fashioned in thefuture; neither shall the country ever again behold a breed in the likenessof bushfallers. This newness, this transformation of the Cameroonian being isnovel as it is unique and epochal. Bushfaller wealth is also transforming thelives of many in their respective families, clans, tribes, and theentire country. Because of the special qualities of bushfallers, thisbreed constitutes the wave of the future of Cameroon. What is not clear atthis time, however, is whether this new wave of change represented bybushfallers portends good or ill for Cameroon. Admittedly, the ultimate end of "bushfallerism" in Cameroon is aprognosis too premature to make at this juncture. Timewill, however, tell. Theemphasis on bushfallers should not be misconstrued as adenigration of non-bushfaller achievements; for, we recognizethat bushfallers were assisted by their olderbrothers and sisters who either preceded them to Mbengue Europa andMbengue Amerika, or labored in the Fatherland to ensure the advancementof their brethren. But the visibleachievements of the Cameroonians who first ventured abroad simply fadeinto insignificance when compared to those of bushfallers. On thisconclusion I stake my reputation as an observer of social change in Cameroon.. I writeas a social philosopher and student of history, whose task is tointerpret and explain the workings of the social order as accurately aspossible. I examine how individuals and groups behave in society; I analyzethe actions of individuals and aggregations and draw generalconclusions from these about society. From this vantage point, Iam able to discern a striking social phenomenon that has been unfoldingbefore our very own eyes during the past 16 years or so. This phenomenon is now taking concrete form. Its locusof incubation is the Fatherland, Cameroon. Althoughthere was in fact a commingling of variables that ushered in thisbushfaller phenomenon, I have decided to isolate a few pivotalones that influenced the making of this new breed. My lastteenage escapade in Cameroon happened in Victoria, present-dayLimbe, in 1975. We were in Bay Hotel oneSunday afternoon dancing to Makossa during "Tea Time" when a scuffle ensuedbetween one local boy and a military man over a girl. Iwas inside gyrating to the deafening blast of Toto Guillaume'sElimbi and did not witness the scuffle. The soldiercarried a pistol, which he pulled out. He did notfire a single shot. But the mere sight of a smallgun sent more than 100 civilians running helter-skelter for dearlife. I was one of those civilians, and those were the waningyears of Ahmadou Ahidjo's Cameroon when some contemporarybushfallers were either toddlers or yet-to-be-born. Fastforward to 1991, sixteen years later during the teenage years of ourbushfallers now come of age. We behold thembattling armed soldiers with fists and stones during "Operation GhostTown" under the auspices of John Fru Ndi. From all apparentindications, a lot had happened in Cameroon that created something of agenerational gulf between my teenage years and those of ourbushfallers. It is that something, which distinguishes thenew breed of Cameroonian, that this work promises to unravel. Theyears between 1975 and 1991 something happened in Cameroon thattransformed the generations after into creatures radicallydifferent from the before generations. Thiswork is about the generations after. It traces theirdevelopment through the prism of Cameroon's political history. As thefirst generation of Cameroonians born under the United Republic ofCameroon, their character reflects the political changes of theircountry. They attained maturity with the political maturity ofCameroon. When in the early-1990s Operation Ghost Townreleased Cameroonians from the dictatorship of the Cameroon People'sDemocratic Movement (CPDM), an offshoot of Ahidjo's Cameroon National Union(CNU), the children of the Unitary State were the foot soldiers of this struggleand contributed to the making of the new epoch President Paul Biya aptlycalled the "New Deal Society". Born in chains, these children werereleased from their chains by the promises of Biya's New Deal Society, whichopened up the closed society of Ahidjo's "Old Oder" and gave vent toFru Ndi's "Operation Ghost Town". IfOperation Ghost Town provided them freedom domestically, the forces ofglobalization extended this freedom internationally. By the late1990s the would-be bushfallers were looking outward to the largerworld for those things that the sagging Cameroon economy could notoffer them. Once abroad, their intermittent visits toCameroon, which revealed behaviors, attitudes, and showmanship until themunseen in Cameroon won them the sobriquet bushfallers—those who fallbush (chappia bush), work (plant), and after harvesting come home to showoff their newly acquired…. TheBushfallers: Rise of a New Breed of Cameroonians is the story of their origins,growth, and transformative power. As chroniclerof the compelling story, that follows, I cannot help it but echo thesentiment of American sociologist C. Wright Mills: "I will try to beobjective; I do not claim to be detached," for, I am an offspring of Cameroonand can therefore not pretend detachment by any stretch of the imagination. Thisexegesis is an exposé of bushfallers cast within the contextof some defining moments in the history of Cameroon from 1960 to thepresent. It does not attempt to pass judgment on this new breed becausethey defy social conventions and their proper place in the social orderis yet to be defined. The narrative styleemployed in this expose is the motif, drawn from music, whereby certainmusical patterns recur time and time again throughout the piece. In the case of this work, instead of musical patterns the focus ofemphasis is on ideas, which are reiterated over and over again atdifferent points and in different chapters of this work. This narrative strategy is adopted in order to drive home thesignificance of the rise of bushfallers and the role that history seems tohave pre-determined for them. But, will they defyhistorical imperative? Emmanuel Konde Albany,Georgia "The problem of power is how to get men ofpower to live for the public rather than off the public." Robert F. Kennedy<THE BUSHFALLERS -Prologue.docx>