Afro Valentine: new awakening By: Sammie Adetiloye Publ. Date: February 17, 2010
Afromocpix International Cultural Organisation in Hungary is living up to expectations in promoting social intercourse between Africans and Hungarians.
On February 14, Afromocpix, in conjunction with Nigerian students, organised its second successful concert at Angyafõld József Attila Mûvelódési Központ, Budapest at which a cream of talented African singers entertained their audience with a Niagara of captivating songs and dance to add a new dimension to this year’s Valentine’s Day.
Although the organisers’ inadequate preparations were penalised by low turn-out, and the event which was scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. was one hour late, the quality of the concert was high.
The concert started with a brilliant performance by a group called “Slang,” a three-man band, who entertained the audience with the violin, and by merely heaving into the microphone to produce rhythmic bass which enabled the band leader, Henry Oyeneye, to rap along to the appreciation of the audience.
Dava Gin of Afro Melody was the next to perform. His fine modulated voice showed his wisdom teeth in African folk music. His women dancers were wearing nothing but a few strips of leopard-like skin around their loins as they wiggled their hips and swayed on their toes to thrill the audience.
One spectacular performance of the evening came from a Canada-based Ghanaian lady, Eileen Quashie, 22. When she mounted the stage to sing, she was excellent in voice; the notes that came out from her lips were strong and clear, expressing complete confidence in her readiness to showcase her flair for music.
Eileen sang a tune in her native language to tell her audience that there is no flowery road to glory, and to lift the spirits of the hopeless and of those who feel they have been permanently condemned to suffering. The song – Onipa Be Bre We Wou – when translated, in part, into English means “Mama said we would suffer; Papa said we would suffer,” sent the audience including two representatives of the Nigerian Embassy, Mrs Odusami Ruth and Ms Abimbola Aiyenuro, to a sentiment of pleasure, accompanied by an awakened interest.
The house roared with enthusiastic applause for Eileen, and she loved it. When the young singer bowed and smiled at the end of her performance, her whole frame softened in a sort of lovableadmiration.
“Who is she? Where does she come from?” The audience kept asking. She did not keep the African Sunshine magazine long to find out. Immediately she climbed down from the stage, the African Sunshine magazine cornered her for a short interview.
“I am from Accra, Ghana,” she said. “I live in Quebec, the French Canadian Community. I was invited from Montréal to Hungary by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to perform at the ‘Csatorna Média Fesztival’ in Budapest.”
