Giving “Mbaya Dance” Hip-hop Touch

Mbaya is an energetic, mostly male dance of the Wimbum people of Donga-Mantung Division in the North West Region. It is also common amongst the Nso people of Bui Division in the same region, and perhaps in northern Cameroon – the origin of Tikar people of which the Wimbum are descendants.

Beyond the borders of Donga-Mantung, Mbaya was partly made the more popular in 1993 with release of “Mbaya Dance” by the late Jissa Shafta (Ngwa Joel). Some 25 years on, Mel Nova, 35, has revisited the popular song.  The song does not say much in terms of meaning as it is mostly entertainment, showcasing the dance type and its various styles.

Yisa Shafta is one of the legends of Wimbum music.
“The single track will be released next month as we are still working on the video,” explains Mel Nova, whose actual name is Ali Melvine Ndi. The new Mbaya Dance is 3 minutes, 50 seconds long, unlike Jissa Shafta’s that was five minutes long. “The video will blend Cameroon’s culture with dance types from various tribes,” Mel promises.

“The other diff...