Jato Sonita, the young folklore musical artist from Bamenda known as the “forest girl,” has become a subject of academic study for students in Cameroon. Her influence has now extended into educational settings, where her image is being used in school exams.
This development was highlighted during the Regional Mock exams in Yaounde, which serve as preparatory tests for the General Certificate of Education (GCE) Ordinary Levels.
In the English Language Paper 2 exam, students were tasked with a composition exercise inspired by one of two images: one of Jato Sonita dressed in her iconic banana leaves and another of the Cameroonian national football team, the Indomitable Lions.
Jato Sonita expressed her excitement and gratitude upon learning of this honor.
“My picture was used at the Inter-Regional Mock Exams in Yaoundé as candidates prepared to write the GCE Ordinary Levels Examinations. I thank God for giving me the grace to be,” she said.
Known for her distinctive music that reconnects Africans with their traditional and cultural roots, Jato Sonita has made significant strides in the Cameroonian music industry.
Her choice of performing in attire made from banana leaves is a deliberate symbol of purity from Western influences, representing how she envisions Africa could have been without the impact of colonization.
Originally from the Donga-Mantung Division in the Northwest, Jato Sonita performs with other children from the Mile 8 forest of Mankon, Bamenda.
Her music is not her only contribution; she has also emerged as a dedicated advocate for environmental issues and climate change.
Jato Sonita’s advocacy has earned her recognition beyond the music scene. She has received various awards and has had the opportunity to sing for world leaders.
Her environmental activism was prominently showcased during a recent visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo, where she was invited by the US Ambassador. During her visit, she championed the protection of the Congo Basin and participated in tree-planting activities at Kinshasa University.
Her inclusion in the exam highlights her role as a cultural and environmental influencer, demonstrating the power of art to inspire and educate.
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