Dominique Atsama

Dominique Atsama is a Cameroonian-born guitarist, singer, and songwriter now based in Cáceres, Spain. He is noted for blending his Cameroonian musical roots with genres like jazz, soul, reggae, and flamenco.

Atsama invented the technique he calls “finger ekang,” a percussive fingerstyle guitar style that can make one or two guitars sound like a full orchestra. He often sings short choruses in Ewondo (his native language) over a 6/8 Ekang rhythm, and is even known to play two acoustic guitars horizontally like piano keyboards while simultaneously singing.

Style & Technique

Atsama's music fuses traditional African rhythms with contemporary styles:

• Finger Ekang: Atsama is credited as the inventor of this unique guitar technique. It involves complex fingerpicking that turns the guitar into an orchestral instrument. On stage he frequently explains the Ekang concept with just a few words and many musical gestures, often leading the audience to sing along to his brief Ewondo choruses.
• Genre Fusion: He draws on Cameroonian styles like Makossa and Bikutsi, combining them with Western influences (jazz, soul, reggae, flamenco) to create a rich, polyphonic sound. This cross-cultural blend is central to his artistic identity.
• Performance: Atsama is a dynamic solo performer known for his virtuosity. He often plays two guitars at once — positioning them side-by-side on his lap — while singing lead, creating layered rhythms and melodies.

Career Highlights

Atsama has toured extensively in Spain and beyond. In May 2026 he was featured at the WOMAD Cáceres festival, where he was described as a “hidden gem of Cameroon” showcasing his finger ekang style. That same week he gave a free concert at the historic Plaza de Santa María in Cáceres, presenting his fusion of African and Western rhythms to a broad audience. He has also been invited multiple times to Plasencia's Centro Cultural “La Jaimita” (Extremadura), where audiences have praised his passionate performances. Atsama's residency in the Sierra de Gata region (Cáceres) keeps him actively engaged in regional music scenes while he continues to expand his international presence.

Notable Works

• Balade (2018) - Atsama's debut album on Finger Ekang Music, introducing his fusion of Cameroonian rhythms and fingerstyle guitar.
• Tous les sens (2023) - Second album that further blends Ekang with Western and global musical influences.
• “Finger Ekang” - A signature instrumental track demonstrating his dual-guitar technique and percussive style.
• “Blablabla” - A lively composition that exemplifies Atsama's fusion of acoustic guitar grooves with vocal hooks.