Mottanni ends CCN national tour with Bruises in Bamenda

Poet celebrates community, art, and healing at close of the “Bruises” national tour

Renowned Cameroonian spoken word artist, Mottanni Awa, known to many as Tanni Awa, has brought his acclaimed nationwide tour, Bruises, to a moving close in Bamenda with a personal note of deep gratitude to the artists, audiences, and partners who made the journey possible.

In a message titled “A Personal Note of Gratitude,” shared after the final performance on Sunday, 9 November 2025, Mottanni described the Bamenda event as a “landmark for the soul,” calling it a profound and healing experience that went beyond performance. 

“Some experiences are more than just events; they are landmarks for the soul,” he wrote, thanking the creator, his artistic team, and the audiences whose participation transformed the evening into what he called “a sanctuary for healing through art.”

The final stop of Bruises brought together a mix of poets, musicians, and spoken word performers, including Ringnwi Charles, Zita Light, AYEAH Leonnette, Infinite Keshiel, Fokumlah Magloire Babila, Diane Tsakeng Dongmo, DePreacher, and Afanyu HumlandMusic Yembe Nfor. Mottanni praised them as “architects of healing” who turned pain into poetry and inspired hope through music and words.

He also extended appreciation to the audience for their openness and emotional engagement.

 “You did not just watch; you participated,” he said, describing the collective energy as essential to the success of the performance. Special thanks went to individuals and groups who supported the project, among them Nogning Armelle, Chutio Kouamo Arnaud, Chrystaline, Lanjo Neindefoh, and the media outlets Abakwa TV, GP Media, Global Promotion Media, and Testifying Photography, who helped document and amplify the event.

Bruises, a spoken word and poetry project tackling gender-based violence (GBV), was one of the flagship initiatives selected by the Cameroonian Cultural Network (CCN) for a nationwide tour in 2025. The tour, which ran from June to November, included stops in four major cities across several regions, offering a platform for poets and artists to use performance as a form of activism and social healing.

Speaking earlier to Hilltopvoices after the project was selected, Mottanni described the opportunity as “a privilege” and “a chance of a lifetime.” He explained that Bruises was designed not only to raise awareness about GBV but also to inspire survivors and communities to confront and transform pain through art.

“The vision was to create a space where pain could be acknowledged and transformed through art. We proved that in a world often filled with noise, the harmonious power of music and spoken word can be the most potent medicine.”  he said. 

The project featured a collective of poets and creatives, including Lanjo Neindefoh Lanjo, Ngek Lois, Mbiaoh Victor Atemnkeng, Nubia Nahbi, and Phamous Ink, all working under Mottanni’s direction. Each show combined live performances from the Bruises EP, open discussions, and interactive sessions on how art can drive social change.

By Bakah Derick for Hilltopvoices 

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