In an inspiring artistic journey, Anne Carine Tchoussik Ngalieu, a certified life coach, fashion designer, and prominent Cameroonian artist, takes us on a captivating voyage through time and space, unveiling the epic tale of the legendary princess Wouten. Beyond her versatile talents, she wields her pen and camera to shed light on often overlooked realities, such as child labor in gold mines. Her commitment is driven by a profound desire to preserve and promote Africa’s rich cultural heritage while inspiring the youth to embrace a more holistic view of the world around them. Anne Carine Tchoussik Ngalieu, a creative and visionary force, bridging past, present, and future.
With a heroine’s spirit akin to Wouten, who became her mentor, she has strung together remarkable successes. Wouten? We’re getting there, and you’ll understand it all! A.C. Tchoussik is a certified life coach, a skilled fashion designer, and, one must add, an artist at heart. Born in 1982 in the economic capital of her country, she hails from the Western region.
Indeed, in 2002, she was invited to design costumes for the “LAM” arts and culture festival of the Bamileke people, held in Douala. This opportunity led her to delve into the intricacies of the Grassfield culture, and in doing so, she collaborated with anthropologists and historians, amassing a wealth of knowledge. This journey also brought her face to face with the enigmatic Wouten, whose story she decided to bring to light through a literary work that bears her name, honoring this remarkable woman of ancient times.
Princess Wouten was born in the 13th century in the Mboum Kingdom in central Cameroon. Her childhood and adolescence were filled with initiations that bestowed upon her extraordinary powers, transforming her into a formidable warrior leader. She dared to enter the sacred enclave, a privilege reserved exclusively for members of secret societies. This daring act triggered her exodus to the Western region, where she led a group of her people and warriors on a conquest to establish a dynasty. “Wouten” thus chronicles the true story of the founding queen of the peoples of Western Cameroon, to be released in five volumes, with “Wouten and the Sacred Enclosure” already available.
Furthermore, as the laureate of the 2003 African Excellence Award, A.C. Tchoussik Ngalieu is not only an accomplished author of numerous literary works but also a filmmaker. “Wouten” is set to be adapted into a film, with “The Wouten Saga” currently in production. Her first feature film, a work of fiction titled “Lembo,” and her second, a documentary-fiction piece called “The Curse of Gold,” bear testament to her versatile talents. She has also created a series, “Mesô o.” The impact of “The Curse of Gold” is particularly significant, as it sheds light on the horrifying and heart-wrenching reality of child labor in gold mines in Cameroon, an industry generating billions of dollars. During the production of this film, she had the opportunity to meet victims and firsthand witnesses of these abuses, with the aim of raising awareness and catalyzing action to end such exploitations.
Regarding her aspirations, Anne Carine Tchoussik Ngalieu is resolute: “My long-term cultural aspirations are to continue making a meaningful contribution to African and Cameroonian culture through a series of historical literary and cinematic works. I aim to aid in the restoration, preservation, and promotion of the unique cultural heritage of our regions, ultimately contributing to the development of a more inclusive, compassionate, and tolerant African society.” She further emphasizes her desire to impart valuable knowledge to the youth, stating, “One of the added values that literary works can provide is a treasure trove of knowledge and a genuine insight into a culture that is typically not explored in depth. This can be particularly beneficial for young people, helping them develop a dependable understanding of their continent’s culture and history, fostering a holistic approach to their worldview.”
