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Angolans celebrate return of Luanda Carnival after long absence

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Thousands of Angolan revellers on Wednesday, trooped into the streets of the capital Luanda, to celebrate the return of the popular “Luanda Carnival” after a long absence induced by the Coronavirus pandemic.

The Carnival which is marked with colourful dances and attires, is one of the epic shows in the country that entices Angolans to dance.

The Carnival which is laced with its own Sambadrome, is always a delight with massive parades attended by eminent personalities in the country and stands up to its name as the greatest festival in Angola with its colorful celebration, libations, national holiday, and Brazilian-style event, according to the organizers.

One of the revellers, Paulino Rocha, who has been a commander of a group called the ‘Kilamba Union’ for several years, said the return of the Carnival was worth celebrating.

“We’re here to do exactly what’s best to do, that is to say, to dance the carnival and show how the União de Recreativo de Kilamba group has come with innovation to tell the truth.

“We do not run away from our cultural identity, because of this our repetition will be Angola traditions and memories.”

“Now in 2023, we are here with a lot of strength, a lot of determination, giving the maximum, and I ask that those responsible take into account those who work and, above all, respect the work we do, because it is a bit too much work if we cannot come to dance here,” he told journalists.

Joaquina Menez Andre, a dancer, with another group said:

“We came as a family. I’m here with the children to show them the importance of the carnival.”

“The Luanda Carnival, for me, is a thing of joy; now that we’ve come back to dance, it makes us feel good.”

“The carnival for me is a joy, after two years without dancing, frankly I was always sad, but now that we’ve come back to dance, it makes us feel good, a joy rediscovered, the carnival, a really good party.”

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Culture

Davido’s ‘Unavailable’ achieves milestone with 100 million views on YouTube, Spotify

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Nigeria’s Afrobeats sensation, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has landed another milestone after his hit single, “Unavailable’, surpassed 100 million streams on both YouTube and Spotify.

According to a release on Wednesday by his management team, the track which features South African artist, Musa Keys, also hit a major milestone as its music video crossed 100 million views on YouTube.

The hit track which was released on April 11, 2023, as part of Davido’s chart-topping album “Timeless”, grew to become the most streamed Afrobeats song of 2023 and received high praise, including being named by Rihanna as her favorite single of the year.

“The single, Unavailable, has also surpassed 100 million streams on Spotify to become Davido’s first single to achieve this feat,” the statement said.

“With the music video surpassing 100 million views, it becomes Davido’s fourth song to surpass the 100 million streams mark following his 2017 hit releases ‘If’, ‘Fall’, and ‘FIA’.

“Following the success of Unavailable, Davido released a remix EP that includes collaborations with Jamaican Dancehall star Sean Paul and American rapper Latto.

“Described by Rihanna as her favourite single of 2023, Davido’s Unavailable was the most streamed Afrobeats song released in 2023.

“Additionally, the single recently earned a SNEP Gold plaque after reaching 15 million streams in France, cementing its status as a global hit,” it added.

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Cameroon opens museum dedicated to oldest, influential kingdoms

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The Cameroonian government has inaugurated a historical museum which is dedicated to honouring its oldest and most influential kingdoms.

Known as the Royal Bomaun Kings Museum, it was inaugurated on Saturday, April 13, in Foumban, the Bauman Kingdom’s traditional capital, located in the western part of the country.

The edifice which is next to the royal palace of the Bamouns, has been described as an architectural masterpiece, pays homage to the emblem of the Bamoun – a double-headed snake, a spider, and a double-mounted gong, and houses over 10,000 historical artefacts most of whom are century-old objets d’art.

It was inaugurated by King Nabil Mbombo Njoya, the 20th ruler of the Bamouns, alongside Culture Minister, Pierre Ismaël Bidoung Mkpatt.

Foremost Cameroonian historian and anthropologist, Professor Francois Bingono Bingono, who was among the visitors at the opening of the museum, spoke glowingly of the project.

“I was privileged to visit the museum. I can tell you that it is not only the culture of western Cameroon, the culture of the Bamouns that is celebrated inside those walls.

“I recognized the culture of the forest, meaning the culture of the inhabitants of southern Cameroon, a heavily forested region.

“I also recognized the cultures of the regions of East, Centre and South Cameroon. One can also come across the cultural heritage of Loum, of the Hauts-Plateaux department, and that of northern Cameroon.

“This museum is the ideal place for those who wish to go back to their roots or take a deep dive into the culture heritage of Cameroon.

“You can see valuable items inside such as thrones and chairs used by the King. Really anything that has to do with the Bamoun dynasty from the first rulers to the current monarch.

“This is patrimony that is handed down to future generations. For the Bamouns, it represents an achievement and a celebration of their culture. For Cameroonians at large, it is part of their history.”

The Bamoun Kingdom is one of the oldest in sub-saharan Africa with historians dating its creation to the late XIVth century.

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