A man, apparently mentally ill, thrilled bar occupants in the Carriere neighborhood in Yaounde by dancing to Salle John’s “Pai o Yabassi” so well that he raised some 5000 FCFA.

Cameroon music, especially what is generally referred to as “old timers”, that is songs released in the 1970s and 80s have an extraordinary quality that moves all classes of people, the old like the young.

A scene last Sunday in a bar at Carrefour Carrier in Yaounde was really dazzling. A mad man fascinated customers drinking at the bar, with his skillful dance steps and the stylistic dancing patterns he demonstrated as he choreographed two popular musical pieces of renowned makossa composer and singer, Salle John.

Le Faroteur, as the lunatic is commonly called, caught the attention of some other boozers and passers-by some of whom boosted him on with ear-splitting applause in reaction.

In appreciation of his dexterous choreography and dance steps, others emotionally showered him with money, both bank notes and coins. Money was sprayed at him from every direction; the bar occupants even showed him some coins which fell or rolled to places he could not see. He raised about 5000 FCFA in the end.

Overwhelmed by Le Faroteur’s performance and Salle John’s soul-searching track, a middle-aged woman ignored the man’s insanity and filth and danced with him amidst thunderous applause. They danced so well as to thrill onlookers even more.

When the music ended he gathered the money rained on him and lift.

Old timers, the likes of Penda Dale’s Ossala; Misse Ngoh François’ Le mari avant tout; Emile Kangue’s Dikom Lam La Moto; Nkotti François’ Retraite’ aba mba; Dina Bell’s Bemba Iyo; Toto Guillaume’s Dibena; Eboa Lotin’s Elimba Dikalo; Ben Decca’s Amour à sens unique amongst others, have the power of moving even the sick, an observer said.

“If a sick person can’t be moved by old-timers, then I fear that person is certainly dying,” Thierry Mvogo, a sexagenarian, opined.