Ako-Aya: A Cameroorian Pioneer in Daring Journalism and Social Commentary

2. Ako-Aya Against Tribalism

35 Chapter Two Ako-Aya Against Tribalism A ko-Aya spared no effort to discourage tribalism. This explains the purport of his very leading article ‘The Four Bees’, whereby he sought to expose and thus put an end to, the tribalistic tendencies of the Bansos, Bametas, Banyangis and Bakossis. It was this spirit of oneness that pushed him to write the article ‘‘Speaking From My Heart’’, in which he invited the people of Victoria to discard private interests and go in for a club merger. This he felt was the only mechanism through which Victoria could be represented in the Premier Football League. That he was right can be seen from the fact that seventeen years later, Victoria has not yet been able to produce such a team. Ako-Aya’s objective progressive nature cannot be doubted. It is interesting to note the sort of remarks he personally made about the Manyu people. Small wonder that when he too was attacked for being tribalistic, he had to work hard, like the first two articles below show, to explain to the people that this allegation was untrue. i) ‘‘JANUARY 21,1976: PLEASE EXCUSE ME ‘‘Yes please excuse me. Excuse me to ask why some women keep their fattest afro wigs to wear them at night when attending films. Two of us were sitting just behind such a lady once last Saturday and we had to bend all the time in order to just peep. ‘‘Yes excuse me, but last month African Federation of Journalists (A.F.J.) wanted all big journalists to attend this very meeting about Press Freedom never won on a platter of gold, but bear with me and excuse me whether it was fear or what, but I did not attend. Yes excuse me I was not afraid of any plane crash, you see they say I do not write this column very well, yes excuse me they say I have remained at it too long, excuse me they accuse me of tribalism and all isms-ships you can think of just excuse 36 Ako-Aya: A Cameroonian Pioneer in Daring Journalism and Social Commentary we but I did not attend.‘Where is this great columnist from Cameroon,’ my colleagues asked but please excuse me I did not attend. ‘‘Why don’t you excuse me to pose just another question which is better to get, a permanent girl-friend or a kick and pass. They say just like comprehensive insurances dem dear so with permanent g.f.’s Dem say yes excuse me kick and pass no di loss plenty money. Well, excuse me which is better?’’ ii) ‘‘MARCH 10, 1976: MONEY PLENTY: MIMBO FINISH BAYANGI GO DIE ALL’’ ‘‘I am all sure you have met them before. Who you may ask, who else but this couple who cash in on human frailties. The story goes that for market day massa did send madam for go find chop money. They have an only 12-year-old daughter who in six months has been put in the family way by ten different people, who have paid through their nose to avoid going to court. ‘‘The couple dem get money plenty, they are even building a zinc house, yet but money at what price? ‘‘I do not just know what most tribes find in drinks. Like these Manyu tribes. They tend to behave as if its drinks that they breathe. So I was in this death celebration place. ‘‘As each franc fell names entered the register. Then came the drinks and it was a roll call. Within a short time the queue was wonderful. Shouts came from all parts of the Joint. Impersonation and all the like. ‘‘One man whose name is Ako Aya impersonated for Ako-Aya and took my own bottle. Mimbo slaves took to fighting. It was such a disgraceful sight. But that’s what mimbo means to Manyu people. 37 Chapter Two: Ako-Aya Against Tribalism ‘‘One other day there was this black clothe removal at church street, it was the same thing. ‘‘Others had to be carried on stretchers to their houses and still others are in hospital. ‘‘Just around there I heard people whispering: ‘Sign a decree now that there should be no mimbo and there will be no Manyu Division because all Bayangi people will die.’ That’s it. Its the new way of life. ‘‘I do not want to talk...