IDENTITY CRISIS PART OF THE PSYCHE BEHIND WOOLWICH ATTACK

For days now almost everyone has been talking about last week’s killing of a young British army guy at Woolwich, south east London. Most were shocked and appalled at the same time. Discussions about the whys and whatnots have been the theme.  Views range from blaming policies of the big nations Vis a Vis Israel and the Palestinians to presence of soldiers in Afghanistan, to religious extremism, ad infinitum...

And speaking of the elephant in the room, i.e. religious extremism…

NINI MIZIZI YA TATIZO LA WAISLAMU KUCHOMA MAKANISA NA AMANI AFRIKA?-Sehemu ya 2

 Jumapili iliyopita tuliona namna mwanamuziki Fela Kuti  alivyoonya kuhusu imani za kigeni zilivyochangia kupotosha utamaduni wa Mwafrika.
Akasisitiza : “Ukristo na Uislamu si dini zetu...Wakristo wana fikra na tabia  za Waingereza na Wamarekani, ilhali Waislamu wana tabia za Waarabu.” 
 Msikilize mwenyewe akijieleza kinaga naga
Jadi mbalimbali duniani  zilijengwa kufuatana na mazingira na hali ya hewa. Dini zilitumia mvua, jua, radi, miti, wanyama nk,  kuabudu na kutambika.  Dini mbili kuu za Waafrika leo zimetokana na utamaduni wa Mashariki ya Kati na Wazungu.

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NINI MSINGI WA TATIZO LA WAISLAMU WANAOHARIBU MAKANISA NA AMANI AFRIKA? -Sehem ya 1

Sijui wasomaji wangapi tunamkumbuka mwanamuziki mashuhuri wa Nigeria, Fela Anikulapo Kuti aliyefariki 1997 akiwa na umri wa miaka 59?  Fela alikuwa binam wa mwandishi maarufu, Wole Soyinka (pichani) aliyeshinda tuzo la fasihi (Nobel) duniani 1986.

Pamoja na kipaji cha muziki (utunzi wenye ujumbe mzito, kuimba, kupiga saxafoni, ngoma na piano) Fela hakua mwoga.  Alikuwa mmoja wa wanamuziki wachache Afrika ambaye hakusita si tu kuimba ukweli, bali tayari kupambana na serikali ya nchi yake na kukemea ufisadi na rushwa vilivyoinyea(na bado vinaendelea) Nigeria.

Serikali na majeshi yalimchukia na kumwandama kiasi ambacho mwaka 1977 askari elfu moja walivamia makao makuu ya bendi yake -Afrika 70-  wakampiga yeye, wake zake na wanabendi halafu  wakaharibu kila kitu. Ndani ya vurugu hiyo walimtupa mamake Fela (Funmilayo) dirishani – baadaye akafia hospitalini. Fela aliudhika sana akatunga  nyimbo mbili kuishutumu serikali na askari wadhalimu (“Coffin for Head of State” na “Unknown Soldier”) na kulipeleka jeneza la mama mzazi makao makuu ya jeshi yaliyoongozwa na Jenerali Olusegun Obasanjo(aliyekuja kuwa Rais). Licha ya kipigo,  baadaye alitafutiwa vijisababu akafungwa jela miaka mitano kwa msimamo usiokua na woga wala unafiki.

Tuangalie dhana ya unafiki.

Fela Kuti alioa wake 27 (aliowaita malkia ), mwaka 1977;  waliimba na kucheza naye jukwaani.  
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INTERVIEW WITH AUSTRALIAN BASED MUSICIAN DAVE MARAMA

Latest floods in Australia and Brazil have caught news headlines. One of East African citizens I spoke to early this week is guitarist Dave Marama who left Dar es Salaam in 1991 to live in Australia. His CD “Do Anything, Go Anywhere” with the Public Opinion Afro Orchestra was recently nominated for ARIAS which is the Australian equivalent of USA Grammy Awards. The album pays homage to late Nigerian musician Fela Kuti who died in 1997.  

FM: Tell us about the floods...

DM: The situation especially in Queensland is dire. Today the river has subsided so relief to the people affected by this disaster. A lot of clean up is currently taking place and we are wishing for a quick recovery to the people and economies of Queensland and New South Wales.
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Do you like it there?

I am settled and one has to reconcile with their immediate nest. Yes, we have a reasonably large Tanzanian community in Australia, let alone Melbourne. Good to catch up for a good laugh and that Bongo sense of humour...

What do you do?

I am a Lawyer by trade but have largely worked in Community Development, CUSO (Canadian University Services Overseas) and its equivalent here in Australia where I was managing the Zimbabwean and Mozambican programs when I arrived. I later worked for RMIT University for 18 years and my last position was with Monash College both leading institutions in Australia. Musically, I was connected to the African scene immediately upon arrival. I have played with various bands since: Clan Swahili, Musiki Manjaro and currently the Public Opinion Afro Orchestra which plays Afro Beat.

Young people in Tanzania do not quite know you as you come from the Seventies generation one of the most significant era of our music.

You are right, the 1970’s saw the emergency of good music and rise of Soul, Funk, Rock, Rumba, Afro Beat, talk about Jimi Hendrix, Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Wilson Pickett, James Brown, Aretha, The Temptations, George Benson, BB King, Franco, Fela Kuti, Lipua Lipua, Fauvette,  Buddy Guy, Sparks, Maquis du Zaire, Groove Makers, Tonics, NUTA Jazz, Rifters and many more.  I was influenced by this sudden surge of synergy. I played guitar since 11 years young in Arusha and Dar around 16 years. Arusha and Dar were  booming with music so I  played with the Funky Mob, Hijackers, Shades of Time in Arusha and Dar Comets, Sound of Hope, Watafiti and managing Tatu Nane  in the 1990’s.

Any nostalgia?

I love Tanzania my spiritual home and Malawi my home country. I have a special affinity to Tanzania for its hospitality and the care extended to so many refugees who landed there. President Nyerere is my hero for having extended that Liberation principle to us in reverse of the oppression that was going on in Malawi then. I always wanted for the situation in Malawi to change, it did not and I had to make a decision with my family to leave for Australia, where there was good provided education for the kids. This was not an easy decision as I love my Ugali, Samaki choma and the energy Africa delivers top soul and heart.

Many overseas African musicians are forced to do jobs they do not like (e.g. cleaning, security guards, etc) because it is not easy to make a living through music. What is your take on that?

  The issue is how do you survive and make a name? Obviously hard work, discipline, vision, team playing if in a band, choose right groups, drop the ego, and be patience. Honestly speaking, it is not easy to survive as a musician unless you are really good? And make it in Africa then here. If you are really good, do not waste your time go to New York and hit it big like Richard Bona, Angelika Kidjo and Lionel Loueke...

Would you advice young Tanzanian musicians to go overseas and try their luck?

Yes if you are good, go for it. Recently I had the privilege of meeting my friends from In Africa here in Melbourne. They are doing really well. Read the contacts understand the business do not just say Napaa Majuu; there is No Majuu without plan and talent. 

More info on Marama visit: http://www.thepublicopinion.net

-London, 18th January, 2011.

 Also published in Citizen Tanzania

http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/editorial-analysis/20-analysis-opinions/7455-meet-australia-based-tanzanian-musician-dave-marama.html