Dibussi Tande: Scribbles from the Den

In Memoriam: Mbella Sonne Dipoko - The Bard Who Dared To Be Different

By Dibussi Tande (Originally published in Palapala Magazine)

Mbella Sonne Dipoko, one of the leading first generation Cameroonian writers and, without doubt, the most internationally recognized Anglophone writer, died on December 5, 2009 in his hometown of Tiko. His death not only leaves a huge void on the Cameroonian literary landscape, but also marks the end of a most storied and colorful life that began 73 years ago on the banks of the River Mungo and continued through the Southern Cameroons, Nigeria, Europe and then back to the banks of the Mungo. 

Dipoko began writing very early on in his life. In 1960, he left for France at age 24, after a brief stint as an accounts clerk with the Cameroon Development Corporation and a news reporter for the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation.

Palapala Magazine #8 is Here!

Issue #8 of Palapala Magazine, the Pan-African literary journal is now available online. This issue includes tributes to the late Cameroonian writer Mbella Sonne Dipoko from the likes of Isidore Okpewho, Distinguished Prof. of Literature; Francis Wache, Executive Editor of the Post newspaper; Prof. Lyombe Eko of Iowa University; poets/playwrights JK Bannavti and LLoney Monono; cartoonist Dante Besong; and blogger-poet Dibussi Tande who wrote the lead article.