Literature: Eugénie Mouayini Opou shines at the first round table of the seventh Relico

If literature is defined as a particular aspect of verbal, oral or written communication, which involves the exploitation of language resources to multiply the effects on the recipient, reader or listener, as the president of PEN Centre Congo Brazzaville, Florent Sogni Zaou, puts it so well, Eugénie Mouayini Opou was no exception to the rule. Indeed, presenting her new work dedicated to “King Makoko Iloo Premier of the Teke Kingdom”, through a round table moderated by Willy Gom, Eugénie Mouayini Opou focused on the treaty that the latter concluded with the Franco-Italian explorer, Pierre-Savorgnan-de-Brazza. These writings are a tribute to a great King Ounkoo Iloo Premier who wisely and selflessly managed the Teke Kingdom from 1872 to 1892, and who became an icon in the history of the Republic of Congo in general and the Teke Kingdom in particular.

For the writer, the signing of the so-called Protectorate treaty concluded between King Iloo I and the explorer Pierre-Savorgnan-de-Brazza on September 10, 1880, left indelible marks in the Congo and in the world. Eugénie Opou Mouayini made it known that when it was a question of sending sons and daughters to neocolonial schools, he had displayed a categorical refusal, because in his vision of the world these schools would not participate in the blossoming of intelligences, but in their annihilation. He did the same for religions that have encumbered and drowned traditional cultures. No one can steal the history of a people, which is told from generation to generation. Through royal power, King Iloo I made a capital place for women by elevating Ngassie to the rank of Queen Ngalifourou and this until today. However, it remains misunderstood because of the way each person reads the Protectorate treaty, known as the “Makoko-De Brazza Treaty”.

To show her capacity for the management of cultural and traditional matters, Eugénie Opou Mouayini said she was ready to lead the Téké kingdom. “In the Teke kingdom, one is not king from father to son. To this day, we have always had male kings. I am part of the six families from which we draw kings. I have the duty and even the right to call the advisors and tell them what are you waiting for to put a woman on this throne? And if only it were the case to choose a woman, I am in the front line because I was born queen. I therefore reveal my intentions to be queen of the Teke kingdom.”she said. In addition to Eugénie Opou Mouayini, other writers such as Etienne Perez Epagna and Octave Mouandza also presented their works during this first round table.

Poetry in the spotlight on the first day of Relico

The second round table on September 19 was moderated by Mongo-Etsion, with writers Rosin Loemba, Malachie Cyrille Ngouloubi and Moïse Bobongo. The poet Malachie Cyrille Ngouloubi, one of the writers registered to present their works, was represented by the preface writer of his book, Dr. Ulrich Bakoumissa, who presented the collection of poems entitled: “Ode for mother Mouébara”, a tribute to the biological mother of the President of the Republic, Head of the Congolese State, Denis Sassou N’Guesso.

In this collection of poems published by MCN in Brazzaville, the poet Malachie Cyrille Ngouloubi wants to immortalize this lady of heart, so effaced during her lifetime and quite ordinary, who gave life to a great statesman. She greatly influenced the education of her son from early childhood until his accession to the supreme magistracy. Malachie Cyrille Ngouloubi shows through this collection of poems the gratitude and qualities of mother Emilienne Mouebara. “Émilienne Mouebara was the mother of all/ (…) I called you love/ Oh woman beyond time! / How can I talk to you? / Death is a part of life that now lives in us. / So, I came to tell you my rainbow word:/ I love you, mom!”he writes on page 9.

If Eugénie Mouayini Opou was the applause meter during the first round table, the youngest of the writers, Moïse Bobongo, was dazzling during the second and last round table of the day of September 19. This newborn of Congolese literature explained to the audience the content of volume 1 of his masterpiece of one hundred and two pages entitled “Without equivocation, the flame of words”. Moïse Bobongo informed the audience that through a set of mixed and striking verses, each poem poignantly explores subjects such as “social injustice”, “youth”, “inequality”, “poverty”, “discrimination”, “pollution” and many other facts and problems that affect humanity.

The flame of words, continues the young writer, is an unequivocal journey for all readers. A call for awareness and responsibility. Moïse Bobongo expresses his indignation through this work and, moreover, lets his pen paint his hope for change, thus inviting all readers to reflect and act for a better future. This collection of poems prefaced by Noël Kodia-Ramata is intended to be a rallying cry for a fairer and more enlightened society. Through the power of words, it aims to awaken consciences and above all to inspire action, leaving through the flame of each word a lasting imprint on all those who read it. Note that the round tables of the day of September 19 had as a sub-theme: “Literature: a friend and a confidant”.