BAOBAB INTERNATIONAL

Cameroon: B.P. 486 Dschang, Cameroon – Central Africa
 

United States
 1423 Cartecay Drive, NE Atlanta, GA 30319 PH.: 404 846 9196 – Email: infobaobabinternational@kengmo.com

FOCUS: BAOBAB INTERNATIONAL (BIT) is a non-profit community based organization in Dschang, Cameroon, dedicated to the preservation of traditional African culture. Goals include teaching Cameroonian youth the ancient culture and traditions of their ancestors, introducing American, European, and Asian audiences to African art forms and history, helping to improve health conditions and education systems for the Cameroonian people, and protecting the native environment which has been threatened by uncontrolled modernism. This is accomplished through the efforts of the Cameroonian people and their collaboration with local, national, and international organizations.

HISTORY: BIT was founded in 1982 in Cameroon by Paul Kengmo, a local artist and traditional leader, who is committed to preserving the beauty and culture of Cameroon and its people. Kengmo has dedicated his life to educating about native African culture through music, dance, song, stories, and lectures to his own people, as well as to those he meets on his travels. Since leaving Cameroon, Kengmo has expanded BIT to become a bridge in which to transfer ideas, safe technology, and information among the varied cultures of the West, East, and Africa with aims to improving the health and welfare of all people. LEADERSHIP: BIT leadership is composed of six officers who meet routinely to evaluate progress and revise programs as necessary. Officers are chosen from many walks of life to offer perspective and diversity to the panel. Representation has included medical doctors, accountants, farmers, writers, artists, professors, traditional healers, and community leaders.

PROJECTS: BIT functions as an umbrella which houses many projects to achieve the goals set forth by the leadership. Major projects include:
Ah Ta-ah: Ah Ta-ah (a local term that connotes the image of AIDS to people in the villages involved) was begun in 1993 with the goal of disseminating information regarding the AIDS virus to the Bamileke people in the Western Province of Cameroon. Unlike other organizations who solely present the facts of the disease and prevention, Ah Ta-ah uses traditional song, dance, dialogue, proverbs, and story to directly relate the danger of AIDS to the lives of the people. The philosophy behind Ah Ta-ah has received international recognition and acclaim by US and international organizations alike. Initially Ah Ta-ah was supported by USAID through Johns Hopkins University HAPPA Support System. In 1994, Ah Ta-ah was presented in a USAID sponsored conference as an effective and respectful method to reach differing communities through the use of their individual culture.
Ah Ta-ah is a perpetual project that is kept alive by the people it has touched. It's message continues to spread but cannot keep up with the fast pace of the AIDS virus. Since 1993, the growth of AIDS in Cameroon has jumped from 2% to 5.5%. Although AHTA-AH's message perseveres, due to lack of funding, it has not reached the multitude of people who now face the AIDS virus.


Camerica: Camerica is an active two-way bridge between Cameroon and America. It shares the best of Cameroonian tradition and culture with US citizens, and American technology (electricity, solar power, clean water, etc.) with the people of rural Cameroon. Camerica strives to benefit rural people with technological advancements in environmentally safe programs to protect the beauty and purity of the native land. Camerica's first project began in 1993 with a pilot project to provide electricity and clean water through the use of solar energy.

MTK: The initials MTK stand for Kengmo's father, Mo-oh Tehdongh Kouolehzingh, who was a healer and member of the prestigious Council of Nine. Kouolehzingh worked for many years to save the lives and protect the health of the people of Cameroon. The project MTK furthers Kouolehzingh's goals by preserving and sharing traditional music with friends of Cameroon around the world through recordings. Audio recordings include "Message To My People, Part I" and "Message To My People, Part II". Future goals include a video documentary about the daily life in Cameroonian communities, as well as books about the history and wisdom of the people.
Lehpouoh: This word translates as "Intersection". The goal of this project is to form a communication network among traditional healers in various communities to share techniques on diagnoses and treatments of illnesses. The hope is to open a forum to increase collaboration and to create a common ground among healers, funders, politicians, and modern physicians. Such communication will promote a new understanding and treatment of diseases such as AIDS.

Lehpahnziih: The literal translation of Lehpahnziih is "Against Hunger". This project is devoted to encouraging and helping communities to become financially and nutritionally self-sufficient. The primary goal is to promote more efficient methods of farming, fishing, and animal husbandry. A pilot project began in September, 1995, with the women's group of Baleveng, Cameroon.

Le Baobab: Le Baobab, a Cameroonian dance company, was founded in 1980 and joined Baobab International with the mission to focus on the arts. Performers increase cultural awareness by educating the public about the roots, history, and philosophy behind traditional culture through music, song, dance, and storytelling. Le Baobab also conducts workshops to teach the traditional art forms of costume design, mask-making, drumming, and jewelry making. The troupe began by performing for the African people in the early 1980's. In 1985, they were invited to tour throughout Europe and the Soviet Union. In 1994, the group was honored as "Best Traditional Dance Troupe" in Cameroon. Le Baobab continues to perform and promote the basic values of respect for oneself, family, community, and culture, as well as, love and connection with each other and the Earth. Le Baobab has trained generations of artists and many are teaching and performing in Europe, Asia, Africa and America.

N zempiah: Under the artistic direction of Kengmo, this American version of Le Baobab is based in Washington, DC, and performs a variety of educational programs for schools and universities, senior citizen organizations, and inner-city youth and community centers. Nzempiah also performs for festivals and theaters across the United Sates where it shares traditional African culture by encouraging the audience to participate as part of the performance. Lectures and workshops teach African dance and music to be a language to express a positive response to events in daily life. Many of the programs of Nzempiah have been broadcasted on cable television to reach a wider audience.


To receive more information on BIT or one of its projects, please contact Mr. Kengmo or any project Director  at one of the above following addresses: kengmo@kengmo.com, lewisagency@msn.com, infobaobab@kengmo.com