HOW ABAKWA TOKS BEGAN – THE ORIGIN STORY
Thu 06th Aug 2026
Every movement starts with a single step. For Abakwa Toks: Voices Unbound, that step was taken on April 30th, 2025, at Y'G Inc. , First Off Licence, Ndamukong Street, Bamenda.
It was a quiet afternoon. Not yet a movement. Not yet a monthly show. Just a group of poets and spoken word artists—some experienced, some beginners—gathered in a room with notebooks, microphones, and a shared hunger to grow.
That day, the Abakwa Spoken Word Poetry Workshop brought together 10+ poets and spoken word artists for a day of intensive training, creative exchange, and community building. It was the seed that would grow into Abakwa Toks: Voices Unbound—now Bamenda's home for art, ideas, and community.
🎓 The Workshop That Started It All
The workshop was designed to equip poets with the skills they needed to succeed—not just as artists, but as professionals. Five experienced trainers gave their time and expertise.
Akumbu Bubu opened the day with a session on The Life of an Artist, sharing hard-won wisdom on what it truly means to live a creative life. Coach Lanjo and Amstrong Fombiyong then delivered a joint session on The Purpose of an Artist, challenging the poets to think beyond performance and consider their role in society. Nfor Yembe followed with a practical session on Branding as a Spoken Word Artist, teaching the poets how to build and protect their identity. Yeeika Desmond Nangsinyuy took the group through Writing and Performing Poetry, helping them refine their craft. And finally, Tanni Desmond Awa (Mottanni) closed the day with Performance Techniques, equipping the poets with tools to own the stage.
Each session was a gift. Each trainer poured their knowledge into the room. And the poets absorbed it all—hungry, eager, and ready to grow.
🤝 The Organizers & Partners
Behind every great event is a team of passionate individuals who believe in the vision. The workshop was organized and managed by three poets and spoken word artists: Mottanni, Nubia Nahbila, and De Preacher.
They were supported by a network of partners who believed in the power of spoken word. Y'G Inc. provided the venue and logistics, while Lanjo Coaching contributed training and facilitation. Ngraffi Fine Arts offered creative support, and Mottanni Inc. handled project coordination.
Together, they created a space where poets could learn, connect, and grow.
🌱 A Seed That Grew
What happened after that workshop was unexpected—and beautiful.
The poets didn't stop writing. They didn't stop connecting. They kept showing up, kept performing, kept growing. And the organizers saw something special happening.
So they built on it.
In 2026, Abakwa Toks: Voices Unbound expanded into a full-scale training program, bringing together 28 poets through a 5-week online training, selecting 10 for a 3-day onsite intensive at Alliance Française Bamenda, and culminating in a live poetry show attended by over 100 people.
Today, Abakwa Toks is a monthly multidisciplinary platform—hosting spoken word, music, dance, debates, panel discussions, symposiums, and creative training.
💡 The Lesson in This Story
The origin story of Abakwa Toks is a reminder that big things often start small.
A room of 10 poets. A few trainers. A shared belief that words matter.
That was enough.
Now, every last Saturday, poets, musicians, dancers, thinkers, and advocates gather at Y'G Inc. to speak, move, think, and transform. The stage is bigger. The audience is larger. But the heart of it remains the same:
Voices unbound. Stories told. Communities healed.
🎤 Join the Movement
Whether you are a poet, a musician, a dancer, a debater, or simply someone who believes in the power of words and ideas—there is a place for you at Abakwa Toks.
📍 Venue: Y'G Inc., Ndamukong Street, Mile 2 Nkwen, Bamenda
📅 When: Monthly (Every Last Saturday)
🎤 Tagline: Speak. Move. Think. Transform.
Follow Us:
Facebook: @AbakwaToks
Instagram: @AbakwaToks
Website: www.abakwatoks.mottanni.com
#AbakwaToks #VoicesUnbound #BamendaPoets #OriginStory #SpokenWord #ArtForHealing #BamendaRising
