Africaontheirminds

Africa on their minds
By Amara Makhoul. Wednesday, August 1, 2007

In the heart of France, expatriates of African descent enjoy exploring their countries of origin. And music,
magazines and a lively collection of melodramatic African TV series help get them there.

In Isbath Labissi's bedroom, the melodies of African pop superstar Koffi Olomidé resonate deeply. A highschool student of
Congolese origin, Labissi lives in a suburb of Paris, but her heart lies in Africa. African silhouettes are sculpted on the wooden
staircase. On her bed -- draped with a grass skirt -- lie some DVDs of African Theatre. “There’s nothing but African music in
there,” she says, indicating her MP3 player. “I go to YouTube and download all the songs that I haven’t already bought.”
Labissi wants to stay in touch with what’s happening in both Western and African music. “Koffi Olomidé is one of our biggest
stars. I grew up with his music.”

Labissi smiles as she recounts her conversations with friends, who are largely African: “We talk about the latest clips we’ve
seen, we exchange them, and we try to copy the dance steps.” The new steps seem quite important: “At weddings or parties,
one has to imitate them.” Labissi’s parents are also interested in the new sound their daughter discovered, and the whole
family enjoys dancing to African rhythms, especially the “coupé-décalé.”

By listening to African music, and by trying to surround herself in an African universe, Labissi keeps in touch her African
origins on a daily basis.

To that end, Labissi, her family, and numerous Africans living in Paris watch African Theatre. Despite its name, one mustn’t
expect a stage or red curtains. “Theatre” in this context actually refers to television series, which one can find in Paris on DVD
or VHS. These programmes are referred to as Theatre because the actors do a form of slapstick. In the Château Rouge area
of northern Paris, nothing could be easier to find – the latest African DVDs dominate the shop windows. One boutique is
packed; laughter fills the air. Two young ladies discuss some African Theatre they’ve just seen. The most common comedies,
that usually last an hour, are about adultery, impossible love, money – and witchcraft. For Labissi, African Theatre makes one
aware of the realities of life in Africa. “We don’t hear much about witchcraft or witch doctors in Paris, yet for those who believe
in it, it’s important. Besides, even if one doesn’t believe in it, it’s a part of our culture and one finds the sense and symbols
everywhere.”

These series have been a resounding success across generations. Thanks to them, families of African origin can become
familiar with how people think “over there.” “Since I don’t go to the old country very often; it’s as if I’m with them a little,”
explains a young woman at the store.

A pan-African culture

More than being a mere amusing diversion, African Theatre symbolises a true communitarian culture. For Gittel Bakangadio, a
young nurse of Congolese origin, there is a “common inter-African culture” of which African Theatre is but one part. Among
her friends, they talk about the latest episodes of African Theatre, or the latest songs and clips. But they also discuss the
sufferings in the continent and possible solutions.

“We Africans like to make fun of ourselves,” explains Bakangadio. “The television series mock the folly of our society; they are
parodies.” Bakangadio’s French friends feel they wouldn’t enjoy African theatre or reading Amina magazine.

But Bakangadio is a devoted reader of Amina, a popular African magazine published in France. Beyond advice about hair and
makeup – for which it is quite useful, readers say – it describes accomplishments of women in Africa. For Bakangadio, it’s a
way of thinking of Africa in a positive light and she finds it most encouraging.

The press - one of the links to home

The third issue of Otherwise, a new pan-African magazine published in France but also distributed in Africa, came out in July.
Bakangadio was delighted to discover this new magazine about Africa. In it, one can find a profile of football newcomer Roger
Milla, an interview with basketball star Tony Parker, or pieces on theatre and modern dance.

Its goal is first and foremost to show another side to Africa and its culture, a positive picture of a continent that is too often
associated with famine, war, and AIDS. “We have to talk about Africa in a different way. It’s important to show that people are
moving and shaking, who are committed to changing things,” explains Delphine Tissier, Deputy Editor of this young publication.

It seems that this community’s interest in their roots increases with age. “I was never like this before,” says Bakangadio. “Now I’
m even interested in the traditional music of my country.” African pop culture served to bring her cultural roots alive. One might
believe that Labissi and Bakangadio moved to France recently and that they are very attached to the Congo, but in reality
both were quite young when they arrived. “Even my little brother Quentin, who was born in France and rarely went to the
Congo is turning more and more toward African culture,” says Bakangadio, smiling. It’s one way to feel closer to her country of
origin without rejecting her adoptive country. “The culture here interests me too. I go to the pictures; I listen to Western music.”

For these young women of African origin, wearing a grass skirt on the streets of Paris is not so much an attention-seeking act
as it is about paying homage to their rich heritage.

This nostalgia, or curiosity if you will, manifests itself in many ways: meeting with fellow Frenchmen and women of African
origins, watching programmes on Africa on television, reading specialised publications, preparing African dishes – so many
ways to live out Africanness.

Source: France 24.com