LIFESTYLE - The African Mirror

Jan

25

2023

Douala gets its first photography biennial, thanks to Max Mbakop

LIFESTYLE

PATRICK NELLE, BIRD STORY AGENCY AT the French Institute of Cameroon, the man of the moment is being chased by several journalists who have come to cover the event. With his glasses perched on his nose, cap turned backwards and rocking a small grey beard, Max Mbakop holds a reflex camera in his hand as he repeatedly explains the motive behind "Rencontres photographiques de Douala (Repdoul)", the photographic exhibition he's just started. The event is intended to "spark connections between Cameroonian photographers and the rest of the world, and to promote the art of photography to the general public," he…

Jan

24

2023

By The African Mirror

Ernest Cole: South Africa’s most famous photobook has been republished after 55 years

LITERATURE

PHOTOGRAPHER Ernest Cole was born in 1940 in the Pretoria township of Eersterust, just before apartheid was formally introduced in South Africa in 1948. Author KYLIE THOMAS, Senior Researcher, NIOD Institute for War, Holocaust and Genocide Studies He was 20 when thousands of people gathered outside a police station in Sharpeville township to protest against being forced to carry passbooks by the white minority government. On that day at least 69 people were shot dead, hundreds were injured, and a state of emergency was declared. The Sharpeville Massacre is regarded as a turning point in the struggle for liberation in…

Jan

20

2023

By The African Mirror

JOLLOF RICE WAR: Senegal beats Ghana and Nigeria to the title

LIFESTYLE

THE authorship – and therefore origins – of jollof rice (called ceebu jën in Senegal according to the Wolof spelling) is the subject of a spicy debate between West African nations. In particular, Senegalese, Nigerians and Ghanaians claim ownership. And each believes their recipe surpasses all others. In a bid to settle the issue, we explored the subject in our book. In it, we point out the “Senegality” of this dish. The word jollof refers to an ancient kingdom that was a part of Senegal between the 12th and 13th centuries. Author FATIMA FALL NIANG, Directrice du Centre de recherche…

Jan

19

2023

By The African Mirror

African music craze sweeps YouTube as artists rack up millions of views

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

SETH ONYANGO, BIRD STORY AGENCY MORE African hits are reverberating far beyond the continent's borders, amplified by the African resounding global music reach on YouTube and other streaming services. Growing smartphone adoption and the penetration of affordable and fast internet in Africa also drive the local consumption of music on YouTube. From the catchy Afrobeats and the soulful sounds of Afro-soul to the energetic rhythms of Afropop and the traditional melodies of African folk music, the diversity of African music is captivating listeners worldwide, thanks in part to YouTube. To most African musicians, YouTube has revolutionised how music is consumed,…

Jan

17

2023

By The African Mirror

Stars flock to Dakar for All-Africa Music Awards

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

MUSICAL heavyweights gathered in Dakar, Senegal for the eighth All-Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) that aim to celebrate and promote the continent's best veteran and cutting-edge musicians. Globally recognised stars including Senegalese maestro Youssou Ndour, and Nigerian artists P-Square and Tiwa Savage are among those set to perform during the main awards ceremony at the 15,000-seat Dakar stadium. Gabonese singer and AFRIMA nominee Espoir La Tigresse was among the extravagantly dressed guests posing on the red carpet before the ceremony. "I’m wearing a head mask from my tribe in Gabon representing a traditional dance from my village to show that I’m…

Jan

13

2023

By The African Mirror

Is Dakar set to become the cultural and creative capital of Africa?

LIFESTYLE

BIRD STORY AGENCY ON December 6th 2022, Chanel, one of the world's leading luxury brands, organised a three-day cultural program in Senegal, the Chanel Métiers d'Art show. This was the inaugural runway show for the haute couture brand on African soil. While the show has previously been held in New York, Paris, Shanghai, Tokyo, and Rome, Chanel chose Dakar for its African debut. "By choosing Dakar, the house wishes to make the savoir-faire of its métiers d'art resonate with the artistic and cultural energy of the city," the brand said in a statement. Of the 62 models in the show,…

Dec

20

2022

By The African Mirror

The Kabareh Cheikhats: challenging gender stereotypes in Morocco

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

IMAD SAOUDI FOR BIRD STORY AGENCY DRESSED in colourful caftans and sporting wigs, bold make-up and glittering jewellery, the Kabareh Cheikhats troup is singing and swaying their hips, exploring issues of femininity in ways that might seem surprising in a conservatively patriarchal society. The all-male band is paying homage to the Cheikhats, Morocco's most famous historical female traditional folk singers, once renowned in the region and responsible for chants, called Aitas, that remain extremely popular. Sometimes compared to Geishas, Cheikhats have been intriguing and controversial figures throughout Moroccan history. They were singers, dancers, poets, and preservers of esoteric musical lore.…

Dec

18

2022

By The African Mirror

Burkina Faso film maker recalls golden era of cinema before insurgency

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

FILM producer Drissa Toure peered through the locked glass doors of what was once the lively cinema in Burkina Faso's southwestern city of Bobo-Dioulasso and remembered a time when locals could enjoy films from Africa and beyond on its screen. Today the 70-year-old struggles with respiratory illness and ekes out a living ferrying people and parcels on his scooter. He treasures the magazine clippings that lauded his earlier film work and the medals he collected. Burkina Faso historically has clout in Africa's film industry, with several feature productions landing international awards over the past decades. It has also hosted the…

Dec

13

2022

By The African Mirror

CKay makes musical history amid Afrobeat’s unstoppable global rise

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

SETH ONYANGO, BIRD STORY AGENCY THE popular musician came in at number 98 on Billboard’s best-selling artist in USA 2022 with his addictive Love Nwantiti (Ah Ah Ah) hit single clocking in at number 17 on Billboard Global 200 songs and the Hot 100 chart at number 55. African music has had another stellar year in 2022, likely to continue through 2023, with Nigerian artist Burna Boy set for a history-making concert at London Stadium on June 3 - the first-ever African artist to headline a UK stadium, according to Rolling Stone. On April 2 this year, CKay's Love Nwantiti,…

Dec

09

2022

By MARIE-LOUISE GUMUCHIAN

Baaba Maal back with new music, ‘Glastonbury of Africa’ festival hopes

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

WHEN Baaba Maal released his last album “The Traveller” in 2016, the Senegalese singer and guitarist wasn’t sure he would put out another record. Six years on, he is back with a new single celebrating the fishermen of his local community in northern Senegal, the first track released from the new album coming out in 2023. "I thought...I did so many albums and I’m going make a break and just focus on all the engagements with my family and then suddenly, my body, my soul, my heart, my spirit, everything did remind me that I’m an artist," he said in…