WHY CAMEROON COMMUNITY IN THE USA IS CELEBRATING LAPIRO DE MBANGA

WHY THE CAMEROON COMMUNITY IN THE USA DECIDED TO MOURN LAPIRO DE MBANGA.

1) Very simple answer: It was and is the right thing to do.

2) Lapiro had dual parentage: Bamileke and Sawa

3) Lapiro died and was cremated here in the United States.

4) Lapiro was no ordinary Musician. He was a Poet, Lyricist, Composer, virtuoso guitarist extraordinaire, arranger and much more.

5) Lapiro was an accomplished Political activist

6) Lapiro was a controversial character YES, BUT remained a man of the people...a guy the population looked up to for guidance.

7) Lapiro died in the US under very dramatic financial conditions.

8) Lapiro leaves behind a wife and teenage children.

9) Lapiro requested that "his family" in the Washington DC area on behalf of the entire Cameroon community organize his "Funerailes".

10) Lapiro left an indelible mark on every Cameroonian. YES, the Washington event is the official "Cry-Die" of our brother, Husband, Father and Friend.

The Bangouas, Batoufams, Ballengous, Bangoulaps, Bandrefams, Bachingous, Bangantes...in short, all of NDE have vowed to give their "Illustre Frere" a befitting "ah juegne go pfe" pour cette "vu tchuepon" that has befallen us. Not left out in these arrangements are Lapiro's uncles of Mifi, Haut Nkam, Menoua, Bamboutos, Khounk-Khi, Haut Plateau and Foumban.

For Lapiro yi mammie side, the SAWAS will show the true colors of what a typical "Ngondo" looks like. The traditional ceremonies will not be limited only to the Sawas and Bamilekes. Many other Cultural groups will be present BICOS DIE NA TING FOR ALL MAN. Aujourd'hui ma peau, demain la tienne.

I called Mr. Sam Fan Thomas in Cameroon to discuss the modalities of sending a letter of invitation to any willing ARTISTS to join us in Washington DC for Lapiro's "Cry-Die" and all I got was

" Hallo, Hallo...U say U name ana who? Hallo, qui t.a donne mon numero? Hallo, tu dis que tu es qui? Hallo, c'est le Ministre de la Culture qui t,a dit de m,appeler? Fainéant; Je ne sais pas qui tu es ou qui t'a envoye mais vas lui dire que U noba see me. Tu es malade? U see me leke some Mbout mugu? U want take me for tchoki? Quitte-moi la, espece de salaupard."

That was the end of the communication with massa Sam Fan Thomas, the guy who replaced Ndedi Eyango as PCA  at the Musicians Droits d,Auteurs imbroglio office in Yaounde.

Mishe Fon

NB: See you all on JUNE 6th. Wuna Kam Celebrer wuna Mblalla.