Cook-a-Thon to Sing-a-Thon: Africa's quest for world records spikes
In the wake of Chef Hilda Baci's groundbreaking culinary achievement with an impressive 93 hours and 11 minutes of non-stop cooking in June, a continent-wide 'pandemic' of record-breaking marathons for the Guinness Book of Records has erupted.
The attention, support, display of skill, and most of all, the urge to make history have driven many others to attempt record-breaking endeavours.
However, the interesting part is many of the recent attempts on the continent are in the form of marathons. Cooking marathon, singing marathon, washing marathon, writing marathon and even a crying marathon. Perhaps, the inspiration is from the competitive edge of Africans and the need to set the record even higher.
The editor-in-chief of Guinness World Records, Craig Glenday, told BBC Focus on Africa that his organization has received 1,572 record attempt applications from Nigerians since Chef Hilda gained widespread attention.
"I really like it when people are passionate about record-breaking, we definitely want to see more people from Africa generally setting records - it's a good thing," he is quoted.
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In the past six months of 2023, this is a roundup of some notable attempts on the continent.
Nigeria
Following a thorough review of all the evidence, Guinness World Records can now confirm that Hilda Effiong Bassey, popularly known as Hilda Baci, has officially broken the record for the longest cooking marathon (individual), with a time of 93 hours 11 minutes. Hilda had broken the previous record of 87 hours 45 minutes set by Lata Tondon (India) in 2019.
However, Baci’s reign was short-lived as she was officially dethroned from her position as the Guinness World Record holder for the longest cooking marathon. Guinness World Records (GWR) confirmed with a post on X announcing Alan Fisher as the new record-holder.
“Alan Fisher (Ireland), an owner and chef of a restaurant in Japan, has broken two cooking-related Guinness World Records titles. First up, he’s claimed the longest cooking marathon (individual) after clocking in a time of 119 hours 57 minutes. That is more than 24 hours longer than the previous record held by Nigerian chef Hilda Baci,” the statement read.
Shortly after Hilda Baci’s attempt, Chef Dami, a third-year college student, started a cooking marathon on June 9 that quickly gained attention. Her endeavour triggered varied responses on social media, with some praising her courage while others criticized her for allegedly undermining Chef Baci's attempt. The First Lady of Ekiti State, Yemi Oyebanji, lauded Dami's determination, and Baci publicly supported her, dispelling rumours of any rivalry. However, not much was heard after her attempt.
Uganda
In Uganda, Mama D, supported by enthusiastic Ugandans, embarked on her culinary journey on December 23 in Kira Town. With an impressive 113 meals served and 113 hours, 19 minutes, and 40 seconds on the clock, Mama D is determined to surpass the current record of 119 hours, 57 minutes set by Irish chef Alan Fisher. Mama D, also known as Dorcus Bashema Kirabo, a culinary enthusiast from Uganda, has emerged as a prominent figure in this culinary movement.
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The town of Kira has become a hub of support for Mama D, with people from all walks of life rallying behind her. Celebrities, businessmen, politicians, and government officials have all united to offer various forms of support, be it financial, moral, or through social media platforms.
Kenya
Kenyan cook Maliha Mohammed reportedly surpassed Hilda Baci's longest cooking marathon record a few months after expressing her intention to pursue it. Despite achieving this feat in August and surpassing the record held by American chef Rickey Lumpkin, Maliha is yet to receive an acknowledgement from Guinness World Records.
Facing financial constraints, she shared her predicament, explaining the lengthy verification process and the high cost associated with expedited verification. "I understand everyone is asking about what happened to August's cooking marathon???? Here's the thing, I had 3 options: It takes 12 weeks for GWR to verify you!, or I have to pay £10,500 to get an adjudicator to come to Kenya to verify me on the spot or Pay 650$ to get verified in 5 working days. Now here is where I come in... I don't have that type of money!!! I can't even barely reach 20K in donations…Therefore I will wait for the GWR to verify me in 12 weeks," she is quoted by K24 TV.
Ghana
Failatu Abdul-Razak from Ghana is gearing up to rewrite history through a cook-a-thon of her own. Failatu Abdul-Razak's cook-a-thon is scheduled to run from January 1st to 5th in Tamale. Her aspirations to surpass the current Guinness World Record of 119 hours, 57 minutes set by Alan Fisher are poised to add another layer to Africa's culinary revolution.
Wash-a-thon:
Subair Enitan, a 200-level college student at Obafemi Awolowo University, takes a hands-on approach to setting records with her hand wash-a-thon. Enitan completed an impressive 58 hours of hand washing, aiming to secure a spot in the Guinness World Records.
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Her journey, beginning at the Student Union Building Motor Park, garnered support from thousands of students, artists, and university officials. After completing the 58-hour hand wash-a-thon around midnight on Monday, Enitan was transported to the institution's clinic in the School Ambulance for a medical check.
“I am very fulfilled to have completed the task right in front of my mum, friends and colleagues who thronged this venue to show love and support my ambition”, she is quoted by Vanguard.
Longest Braids or better, Braid-a-thon
In the realm of unconventional records, Nigerian Helen Williams has set a Guinness World Record for the longest hand-made wig.
Williams spent 11 days and two million naira to craft a wig spanning 351.28m. The meticulous process required 1,000 bundles of hair, 12 cans of hair spray, 35 tubes of hair glue, and 6,250 hair clips.
"Friends and family encouraged me. I did not want to let them down, so I maintained my focus. The outcome is the longest hand-made wig in the world," she said.
After completing the task, she chose to lay it out on a highway connecting the cities of Lagos and Abeokuta on July 7.
Sing-a-thon: Ghana's Afua Asantewaa and Nigeria's Jasmine Sing duel
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Ghanaian event organizer Afua Asantewaa's quest for the longest singing streak coincides with Nigerian TikToker Jasmine Sing's bid to break the Guinness World Record.
Afua Asantewaa's singing marathon, currently at 105 hours (December 28), aims to break the existing record of 117 hours set by Indian Sunil Waghmare.
Meanwhile, Jasmine Sing's attempt is set to last 120 hours, adding a melodic twist to the ongoing record-breaking endeavours. The current record of 105 hours of non-stop singing is held by India’s Sunil Waghmare. Jasmine’s attempt came a few days ahead of Afua Asantewaa’s announcement.
Write-a-thon
Daniel Ehis Aiguokhian, a University of Calabar undergraduate, embraces the written word, setting a new world record for the longest write-a-thon.
Aiguokhian's remarkable feat, a write-a-thon lasting 188 hours, captured the attention of the academic community. The University of Calabar, led by Vice Chancellor Prof. Florence Banku Obi, applauded this extraordinary achievement, marking a positive milestone for the institution. Aiguokhian is yet to receive his official recognition.
