Titabet and the Takumbeng

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“The quest for democracy is a universal struggle whose pursuit is shaped by local realities and rivalries. The playwright captures the painful first breathes of that elusive democratic ideal through a confrontation between the status quo and forces for change. Trapped behind the conflicting and complementary walls of modernity and tradition the characters expose the real and perceived complexities of democratization in Cameroon.” Fonteh Akum, Washington D.C., USA Titabet and the Takumbeng is a play that relives the unprecedented political upheaval of the 1992 first ever multiparty presidential elections in Cameroon. Following the controversial elections, Bamenda – the stronghold of the main opposition party, the Social Democratic Front (SDF) – was plunged into a tense and intense civil disobedience campaign. The violence which ensued pitted SDF militants who claimed their victory was stolen against regime loyalists. The government reacted by imposing a curfew on Bamenda. The army that was dispatched to keep the peace committed ferocious kidnapping, rape, theft and torture, driving women, children and men into the arms of terror. Titabet the protagonist emerges as the leader of the oppressed. He and the sacred women’s cult of Takumbeng were the only hope for the people. The sacred cleansing cult and Titabet’s courageous resistance apparently brought an end to what would have been too devastating a tale to narrate. “Kehbuma Langmia is to be applauded for finding an authentic yet utterly contemporary means to tell a dramatic story, full of tension, of utmost importance to his own people and fascinating, educational and engaging for audiences anywhere.” Jane Plastow, Professor of African Theatre, University of Leeds, UK Kehbuma Langmia teaches courses in Mass Communications, Broadcast Journalism and Media Studies at Bowie State University. With previous degrees in fine arts, television and film, he earned his PhD in Mass Communication and Media Studies from Howard University. He also has an MA degree in theatre arts from the University of Yaoundé, Cameroon. He is also a graduate from the Television Academy in Munich, Germany. Dr. Langmia writes, produces and directs independent productions, and serves as executive producer for students’ television projects at Bowie State University. Langaa Research and Publishing Common Initiative Group P.O. Box 902 Mankon Bamenda North West Province Cameroon Cover: Abidemi Olowonira ...