Justine Akouir Mireille Akaba and Yvonne Gladys Tchuimo, both dancers based in Yaoundé, Cameroon, are currently in Brazzaville to participate in the Festival International de Théâtre, danse et cirque au Congo (FITHEDAC) (September 30 – October 11, 2015), where they will perform a contemporary dance piece titled « Plus femme que femme ».
Justine Akaba began her career in 2005 as a singer, before moving on to dance in 2006 as a member of the Compagnie Abok-Minem in Yaoundé. After participating in numerous workshops and training programmes in Cameroon and abroad (Congo-Brazzaville, Senegal, Gabon), she created her own dance company, named “Mon Soleil” in 2011. She has since collaborated with several festivals (Corps é Geste) and cultural institutions (Institut Français, Laboratoire OTHNI) as a choreographer and teacher.
A dancer and choreographer with the renowned Compagnie Poo-lek, Yvonne Gladys Tchuimo has been dancing since the age of 8, and as a professional since 1999. She holds a degree in traditional and modern ballet from the University of Yaoundé 1. She has trained and collaborated with a number of major local and international choreographers, including André Takou S’aa, Antje Pfundter, Mathilde Monnier, Shelley Senter, Inaki Azpillaga, Peter Jasko, Francesco Scovetta, Esther Balfe, Chris Harin and David Wampach.
The piece Justine and Yvonne will be presenting in Brazzaville deals with the silent power that women have in our societies. Conceived over the course of several residencies in Yaoundé and in Rennes, it grows out of conversations with dozens of women on the subjects of power, femininity and freedom. Through dance, Yvonne and Justine wish to bring to light the Lilith woman who sleeps in all women, the one who makes her own decisions and feels free; the woman who came to earth at the same time as man and who is neither submissive nor obedient. They look forward to presenting their piece to the women and men of Brazzaville.
AMA wishes Justine and Yvonne a safe journey and a wonderful performance!
