By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
The United States Embassy in Yaounde, Cameroon, in partnership with Night of Voices and Ubuntu Creative, have used slam poetry to raise awareness about the dangers of irregular migration.
The event took place at the Ubuntu Cultural Centre in Yaounde on May 10 and was chaired by the US Ambassador to Cameroon, HE Christopher J. Lamora, accompanied by other dignitaries. The theme was “Chasing Dreams, Not Dangers: Art Against Risky Migration.”
During the event, professional and amateur spoken word artists from around the country used slam poetry and spoken word performances to highlight the dangers of illegal migration and promote alternative narratives rooted in opportunity, resilience and legal pathways to migration.
According to Caroline, one of the artists: “Illegal migration is not a good option and everyone needs to fight to improve society and the African continent.
“It’s important to say to young people like us, it’s good to leave, but you still have to do so legally. So, we hope that our voices have been heard, and that the message has reached those who need it,” she said.
Others used their words to point out the dangers involved, calling on youths to think about their country and be resilient in whatever they are doing because there will always be a way out.
“If I go, who will bring the change? Considering going and staying, I choose staying … Let us build the society we want here because no one will build it for us…. There is no need risking your life in a boat,” some of the artist said.
Opening the event, Ambassador Lamora stated that they want people to be able to travel safely, contribute and return safely, but the illegal migration routes that so many people are using are not safe.
“They are the opposite of safe. They are dangerous. They are deadly, crossing deserts, crossing the Mediterranean, and other bodies of water in unsafe vessels. It’s not safe,” Ambassador Lamora said.
He added that one can have a great life in Cameroon, which is why they don’t have to put their lives at risk.
“There are a lot of things that we are doing through the US government, through our friendly governments like the UK and France, to help build a foundation so that Cameroonians feel they can stay here safely and don’t have to put their lives at risk. Let’s change the narrative together so that the next generation of successful stories doesn’t end up on the next boat.”
Besides raising awareness of the dangers of migration, the slam poetry performance was also an opportunity to showcase the power of poetry in building society.