A party of Baka musicians from Cameroon’s dense forests in the East will stage a spectacular performance at the residence of the British High Commissioner to Cameroon, H.E. Mr Bharat Joshi on 9 March 2011 from 6 pm.

The performance has been organised to highlight the unique talents of indigenous peoples living in Cameroon, and their very special way of life and heritage, as part of the activities during Commonwealth week.

British High Commissioner, Bharat Joshi said: “I’m proud to be able to include on the list of activities for this year’s Commonwealth week what should be a rewarding performance by the talented Baka. Their music is a perfect example of the richness and diversity that’s reflected across the Commonwealth. The theme of this year’s Commonwealth Week – Women as Agents of Change – should give us a chance to highlight the plight of women in certain marginalised groups of people including the Baka. The Baka strike me as people who live in harmony with their environment, values of co-existence that should inspire mainstream societies. We need to keep highlighting their rights to development without downplaying their way of life as is evident in the sometimes abusive exploitation of their forest habitat”.

In the recent past, the British High Commission and UK civil society have carried out initiatives to improve the conditions of the Baka people. Examples include a multi-year project which equipped Baka communities in the East with GPS devices to track illegal logging.

Meanwhile an initiative run by British artiste – Martin Cradock, known as Global Music Exchange, has for 20 years sought to improve on the plight of the Baka by giving international prominence to their music and art. Mr Cradock will direct this Wednesday’s performance of the Baka female musicians. The Baka performance will be followed by a selection of classical piano music and a performance of the CNPS choir, masterminded by local Cameroonian Maestro Isaac Sapouma.