The Journey of Fabrice Mba: A Cameroonian Kung Fu Master
Fabrice Mba, a respected kung fu master in Cameroon, found his passion for martial arts and Chinese culture in childhood. After overcoming hardships, he pursued formal training at the Confucius Institute and Shaolin Temple, eventually becoming a leader in promoting kung fu in his country. Mba focuses on helping underprivileged youth through free training programs while inspiring others to embrace cultural understanding and personal growth.
Fabrice Mba, a Cameroonian kung fu master, discovered his passion for Chinese culture while growing up in Sangmelima, where he watched kung fu movies. Inspired by these films and his brother, a projectionist, Mba began imitating characters from the films, though he lacked formal training due to the absence of a kung fu club in his town. At the age of eight, Mba moved to Yaounde, facing a challenging life on the streets following his parents’ struggles.
Mba’s life transformed during the 1980s when a group of Chinese engineers constructed the Yaounde Conference Center. He observed one engineer practicing martial arts, which sparked his dedication to kung fu. Initially, he watched from a distance, but soon he was invited to train, where he began to learn martial arts fundamentals. After returning to Sangmelima briefly to help his brother, Mba ultimately returned to Yaounde, where he sought various jobs to sustain himself.
A significant turning point in Mba’s life occurred in 2011 when he met a co-director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Yaounde II. He enrolled in the institute, which opened new doors for him. With a scholarship, Mba received professional training in martial arts and traditional Chinese medicine at the Shaolin Temple in China between 2015 and 2019, solidifying his status as a kung fu practitioner.
Today, Mba is a prominent figure in Cambodia, serving as the president of the Cameroon Kung-Fu Federation and the Association for the Promotion of Chinese Martial Arts. He actively promotes kung fu and traditional medicine while providing free training to underprivileged youth through his “Lotus and Water Lily” program to enhance their career prospects. Mba emphasizes the importance of building character and societal contributions, drawing from his own difficult upbringing as a guiding principle.
One of Mba’s students, Martin Mangwandjo, also teaches martial arts and operates a kung fu club. Mangwandjo credits kung fu with aiding his social integration despite his physical disability, highlighting the mental resilience he developed through martial arts. He aspires to encourage others, particularly those hesitant to pursue their interests, to embrace Chinese culture as he has.
Mba’s dedication extends to literary pursuits, where he has authored several works related to kung fu and Chinese culture, promoting moral values and understanding. He believes that increasing interest in kung fu can enhance cultural appreciation in Cameroon. “Promoting Chinese culture in Cameroon does not mean turning Cameroonians into Chinese,” Mba stated, emphasizing that his goal is to inspire hard work and mental transformation in his community.
Fabrice Mba’s journey from a street child in Cameroon to a revered kung fu master reflects the transformative power of culture and education. His dedication to martial arts not only enriches his life but also empowers disadvantaged youth in Yaounde. Through training, mentoring, and creativity, Mba aims to uplift his community while fostering a greater appreciation for Chinese culture within Cameroon. His efforts symbolize the potential for personal and societal improvement through hard work and communal support.
Original Source: english.news.cn
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