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The Uncomfortable Truth: Nneka

4 March, 2010 | 41 comments | Category: Africa, for.the.love.of.words!, musiqa, nation & ethnicity, peace & conflict

Simple Star!

photography and article by  Fabay

I’m so glad I came across Nneka in 2009.  I was instantly in love with her music when I heard the song “Africans”. I was so impressed to see a young intelligent woman who was born and raised in Africa urging fellow Africans to focus on constructive solutions through her art. Nneka dares to point out that it is no longer acceptable for us to exclusively blame colonial powers for the conflict, death, injustice, poverty, exploitation, and corruption that exists in Africa.  She urges Africans to take proactive roles  in designing and implementing reform.  She sings “you keep pushing the blame on our colonial fathers … it’s up to us (Africans) to gain some recognition.. If we stop blaming we could get a better condition.” Nneka’s genuine message of love, awareness, and her call for action is what attracted me.  She encourages the African Diaspora to become active stakeholders, take responsibility, and invest their time, resources, and expertise in Africa’s development.  She pleads “you got to wake up, please youuuuu got tooo“.

I applaud Nneka for using her talent to share a powerful message.  She is among  a group of new and rising African artists who give voice to Africa’s new generation. Her music is a medley of sounds, words, and beats morphing and blending with an alluring audacity.  Her songs are loaded with moral and biblical references as she reflects on her life in Nigeria and Germany. She touches on issues of capitalism, poverty, war, corruption, and individual and government accountability.

“There are many of us, Africans, black people that leave Africa for a while go abroad, study etc. and instead of going back home to do something they stay,  go overseas and make themselves comfortable. What I am really trying to stress here is that we all carry responsibility. There is so much we can do. If we come overseas to study and learn, it isn’t for no reason because God has given me that opportunity to do so. And I believe if I would have not stepped out of Nigera for a while I would not have been able to do what I am doing right now. And now that I have to chance to go back home and do something, why not do it?” ~ Nneka

Get a taste of her music: The Uncomfortable Truth

 

From her newly released American Album “Concrete Jungle”: Focus

 

When I found out Nneka was performing at Vinyl Atlanta on February 9th, 2010, I was ecstatic.  I wanted to experience her energy in person.  I wasn’t disappointed; her performance was filled with powerful messages and humor.  Below are some pictures from her show at the Vinyl in Atlanta.

I left the concert feeling a longing for my Ethiopia.  Her concert sparked a feeling of homesickness because every verse of her music was for my continent, my people, my leaders, and for me.  Even though I was not Nigerian, I felt I could relate, empathize with every word and feeling she was expressing on stage.  My love for the continent is beyond what words can express.  I didn’t know how much I loved it until I left it behind.  How do you feel when you see injustice and lack of resource killing your people?  What do you do when the current status of your country breaks your heart but you can’t stop loving it? What do you know of the ache of being away for over a decade and not being able to go home to visit your family?  What do you do when you feel powerless?  As I patiently wait to set foot on my native soil, go back to a land where my heart is bound, when the journey seems so far away, I will listen to songs by two of my favorite African musicians who speak for me: Nneka “God of Mercy” and Knaan’s “TIA: This is Africa”.

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41 comments to “The Uncomfortable Truth: Nneka”

tsepeaces, March 4th, 2010 at 9:43 pm:

  • I just find the fact that there are more and more African artists out there getting recognition who are from the diaspora (many who are even 1st generation immigrants) following their passions and making art that is getting our voices out there so inspiring!…think Kenna, Wayna, Gabriel Teodros, Knaan, Nneka, Ayo, Burntface and prolly many more… like up and coming Blitz the Ambassador from Ghana and Iyadede from Rwanada

Ashebir, March 5th, 2010 at 6:34 am:

  • Excellent! I do agree that we can not be complacent about the way things are going in the continent. It is time to act. Revival to the African Diaspora spirit of 1960s where many have been optimistic about the future of independent states.

    Just recently, this trend is strengthened with the increase in returning diaspora & Africa’s slightly … See Moreimproved economic performance . In Nigeria, some statistics have shown 10,000 returnees. This again would hopefully be matched with progress in governance & democracy reforms of our states that probably provides additional impetus for the activities of the diaspora.

    Therefore, using the words of JFK ,I would say ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.For the fellow Africans, my compatriats, ask not what others can do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of African men & women.

Destionation-X, March 5th, 2010 at 8:59 am:

  • Thanks Fanicho … the writing is excellent and the pictures are awesome as always …. you r becoming more and more pro at snapping a moment :) … let me now reflect on your piece.

    Despite the growing successes of our diaspora artists, it makes one wonder: for Africans to be recognized, it is as if they have to leave the continent and mark their presence in some Western land. Although I applaud and admire the achievements of diaspora Africans, I am also wary of the message behind such success stories.

    What would a young African in Africa think when he or she sees that most of the talented artists within the continent are barely recognized but their fellows who depart the continent after few trials and errors easily top the chart? It also makes you wonder, had K’naan, for example, never left Somalia, and settled in Canada, would he have made it big?

    As we celebrate our bright and successful young diaspora artists, let’s also consider the consequences (or the reverse effects) of such stories. It is a dilemma for me: on one side, I want every African artist to get the kind of opportunity, for example, Nneka has gotten, the more you are exposed to other cultures and world views, the better you understand what you considers yours and hence the more you care for it; on the other hand, the mentality that for an African artist to be known has to make it big in the Western mainstream, perpetuates that cycle of Africa’s dependency we fervently criticize; it seems to me as if an African artist has to get the West’s approval for he or she to be recognized as an Artist, and that starts with writing or performing in English, with the exception of some, for example, the visual artist Elias Sime (the visual artist at least has one major benefit, that he only speaks in images, even that he still has to be somehow approved by the West for his art to have some value).

    If you think of the major African writers/artists, rarely do few of them make it while they reside within the continent though some of them eventually return to the continent or completely reject the established norm. Take Chinewa, Soyinka, Gebre Kristos Desta, Adichi, for example. And compare them with the celebrated african artists that are only known by their own people and that only express themselves in their own languages, for example, the Ethiopian writers such as Baalu, Haddis or Sebhat who are not less creative than let’s say Achebe or Adichi but they never wrote in English hence they never got the artistic recognition they deserve. And think of the many aspiring filmmakers in Ethiopia and compare them with the giant Haile Gerima or other diaspora artists. Have you ever wondered whether Haile Gerima would be such a recognized figure if he were still in Ethiopia? Why cannot our artists be recognized like our sports men and women without leaving the continent??? That is a million dollar question that I always ask myself.

    I am not against people who make it big in diaspora. I think that is brilliant. To come to a foreign land and to make the best out of it is a test of resilience that few pass. And the fact that many of these individuals eventually give back to their community in one form or another is something I aspire to embrace. But my argument is that an African must get recognized without having to leave the continent or to express himself in either English, French, or other foreign languages!

    I am a big admirer of Ngugi wa Thiong’o for he tries to decolonize his mind and urges us to do the same. But even for him, as he himself admits, to come to the decolonizing the mind stage, he first had to be recognized by writing in English, which to this day bothers him. If he had not written in English, we would never have heard of him perhaps. Though he now prefers to write his novels in his mother tongue, G?k?y?, first and then translate into English, he still resides in the West and teaches in American university. It is never an easy task to decolonize one’s mind, even for the man who dedicated his life tackling this issue, it remains a paradox.

    I myself haven’t decolonized my mind yet; as you can see, I am writing in English here now while challenging the very concept. There are many reasons for this, of course. In today’s ‘globalized’ word you can’t help it but be part of the movement: “speak english, the language that unites humanity.” There is nothing wrong in speaking english, but definitely something is wrong when you don’t speak your own, when you don’t advance your language, be it Amharic, Tigrigna, Afaan Oromo, Anuak, Zulu, etc. I guess we have a long way to freedom; but the sooner we begin the journey, the faster we get there; for that to happen, we have to produce materials (artistic or non artistic) in our languages as much as we produce in foreign languages, we have to consume ours as much as we consume theirs, there lies the beauty of bi or multilingualism–you get a taste of two worlds, and you start to appreciate your own more; it is as if killing two birds at once. Ngugi says, “The death of any language is the loss of knowledge contained in that language. The weakening of any language is the weakening of its knowledge producing potential. It is a human loss… Each language, no matter how small, contains the best knowledge of its immediate environment: The plants and their properties, for instance. Language is the primary computer with a natural hard drive.” I believe, when we fail to produce materials in our languages that is when we fail to advance forward as people.

    Take the Japanese and Chinese, for example. As much as they consume/imitate Western know-how and materialism as perfectly as possible, they also advance what is theirs. They translate everything into their own languages. They recognize their own talents without having to get the approval of the West. This for example has forced the West to learn Asian languages and cultures, so to translate that into Western languages. There are more Chinese or Japanese artists who are best sellers and famous in the Western world without having to write or speak in foreign languages. When you respect or value your own, others start to respect or value it, too! If you don’t value it, why should they?

    When we advance in what is ours, we will eventually take matters into our own hands instead of blaming and cursing the ‘bloody foreigners’ for everything we fail to achieve. Many African countries, including Ethiopia already have a good/strong foundation to advance their cultures; we, for example, have a rich artistic tradition, and are proud to tell others that we have our own alphabets, yet how many of us use these alphabets to create works of art? How many of us use our own languages to express our feelings and emotions whether we get recognized or not? We already have flourishing languages in Ethiopia. Their is a growing art/literature in major languages such as Afaan Oromo, Tigrigna, and Amharic, etc. Let’s tap into that potential and recognize the artists that produce them by buying, reading, listening to their products, and making them known to the wider world just like our athletes. I should end my rambling here.

    I recommend this excellent piece by Ngugi for anyone intersted: http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/59136 :)

    Adios

AddisTunes, March 5th, 2010 at 4:16 pm:

  • Destionation-X,

    You touch on an EXCELLENT point! The success stories of people like Nneka can be attributed largely to distribution. Nneka has the backing of Sony Music….while Teddy Afro has the backing of…ummm…Nahom Records?!?!?

    I think a couple of things need to take place. Artists back home need to take themselves more seriously and treat their music like a business. Even if you look at someone like K’naan, is he so much more talented than other artists on the Continent? No. But he has a serious team of people supporting him.

    Also, artists need to think more seriously about distribution. Wayna, who earned a Grammy nod as an independent musician, is another success story. Her success can be attributed to her strong work ethic and CDBaby/iTunes. We established http://www.AddisTunes.com to give African artists a platform to distribute their music digitally. We have eliminated ALL barriers to entry.

    There are some amazing artists out there – such as Fijori from Eritrea.

    http://www.addistunes.com/Fijori/

    Thanks for the insightful piece Tsepeaces!

Henock, March 5th, 2010 at 8:28 pm:

  • wow……..that was a great article Fana. As usual the pictures are amazing as well. I don’t really have a clear cut answer as to what should be done but I think as Nneka said we should invest into our continent or country. The only thing that rules this world is money regardless of what we want it to be. When you build a country’s economy then all the little pieces will start fitting together. Without a solid/stable economy a country is going to have a hard time keeping their talents home. At this point though I think we just have to find a way to get our economy in the right direction and then try to work on the little pieces that are needed to keep a stable and developing economy. I have no problem people with talent leaving their home land to pursue their dreams (I actually encourage it at this point), the only issue I have is that when those artists become successful and completely forget where they came from and don’t even try to find a way to help their country. I don’t want to stop just on the artist but athletes and other individuals who have been fortunate enough to succeeded in life by leaving their homeland and taking advantage of the resources giving to them via the Western World need to find a way to help their country.

    @Destination-X: Let me try to answer your question “Despite the growing successes of our Diaspora artists, it makes one wonder: for Africans to be recognized, it is as if they have to leave the continent and mark their presence in some Western land.” The reasoning is simple economics. People go where the money is. Regardless of how patriotic an artist wants to be when it comes down to it they are after the same thing we all get up everyday for…the “Dollar bills”. The other secondary factors as “Addis Tunes” said will be the chance to have a big time label company to support your talent which will result into your music being distributed to the mass media world.

    I disagree on this comment “There are more Chinese or Japanese artists who are best sellers and famous in the Western world without having to write or speak in foreign languages.” Really, because I don’t know one person from either country that is a famous artist even if you can find one they already live in the Western World. The reason those countries specially China translate everything to Mandarin is not because they really love their culture it is mostly because of the Communist Government that is forcing the issue, which I’m sure you don’t want the African countries to adopt. Lets be clear about something here, the success of the Asian economy has nothing to do with the country faking/forcing the fact that they love their culture and language more than any other country in the world. Their success comes from taking advantage of the need for cheap labor. The Industrialized countries around the world were looking for a place to manufacture their goods with cheap labor and China took advantage of the opportunity the world economy presented. This gave them the ability to have a huge amount of cash flow and no debt unlike the US and UK. The US did the same thing during WWII by selling weapons to all the European countries that were fighting the Germans.

Destionation-X, March 6th, 2010 at 1:09 am:

  • ^ Let me make myself clear before I respond to some of your points, Henock.

    I am not declaring here that all Africans must perform/sing/write only in their native tongues. I don’t believe will happen. At the end of the day it all comes down to personal choice/the ability to use this or that form of expression the artist is in tune effectively. I am not also here to condemn people who choose to express themselves in languages other than their mother tongues.

    Nevertheless, my main point is as people who have distinct linguistic/cultural/artistic heritage, despite our individual preferences, we must find a way to elevate those talented artists who remain within the continent and make ‘African art,’ using their local resources and background, as much as we support those who come to the West and make it big. It’s a blessing for the continent to have both groups. Both are Africa’s assets.

    People r always going to migrate from one place to another either for economic, political or personal reasons. This is something that always is going to happen. As they travel, they will learn more languages and they are going to be inclined to express themselves in one or another language. However, when we don’t elevate those inside Africa as much as we elevate those outside or those that sing in English or French, this can send the wrong message.

    In the long run, the more FESPACO type events happen, the better for the continent. Another great example to mention is the Addis International Film Festival. Of course, AddisTune/EthioTube/DireTube, too. :) These kinds of initiatives that celebrate African artists within Africa will have to mushroom. ….
    ……………………….

    Henock, you are right, it is the dollar that forces people to leave their country, but as you said if more and more Africans invest in their nations, our economies will grow, and our artists/local talents will be sought after while they will remain in their own lands and contribute their share to their people in their languages and will still manage to b popular like Ali Farka Toure, for example, granted they take their business seriously as AddisTune mentioned.

    “The reason those countries specially China translate everything to Mandarin is not because they really love their culture it is mostly because of the Communist Government that is forcing the issue, which I’m sure you don’t want the African countries to adopt.” That is where you and I become two parallel lines, Henock.

    If you say the Chinese were forced, what will you say about the Japanese who use special writing system (such as Katakana) mainly to accommodate non-Japanese words into their language? Who forced them to invent that system? They could have just borrowed foreign words and use them as they are, right? If we say the Asians were forced by their rulers, what about the French who translate everything into their culture? Were they also forced? Why don’t they just teach their citizens in English like many Africans do–after all they are more close to the English than the Africans?

    Ask every Chinese either here in America or in China whether they feel obligated to speak or to express themselves in Chinese. The simple fact that there is a China town in every major city in the world, including those cities in developing countries, answers your question. You seem to see China the way CNN wants us to see. The Chinese people have been advancing their language throughout their history. The fact that today’s students are taught almost every subject from elementary to post graduate in Chinese has a lot to do with China’s history and less with the emergence of the communist party.

    If you are not familiar with any Japanese or Chinese artists/literary persons (both contemporary and ancient) whose works get translated to every major European languages, then google them, my friend. There are plenty of them in every art form. The growing popularity of Chinese classes in many Western countries, be it in school or off school, is another testimony for the growing importance of the language in international scenes–that is because the Chinese worked hard to make it happen.

    There are people who go all the way to Japan to learn Japanese and then to translate Japanese culture or art into their languages. There are companies whose job is to dub Japanese anime into English or other European languages … I could go on and on. In contrast, you could count the number of Europeans or Americans that are genuinely interested in learning African languages and translating African culture or art into their own; to begin with, most Westerners don’t even consider the idea that there is such a thing called ‘African art’–that is because we ourselves don’t value it that much and we don’t produce much in our native tongues with the exception of few languages.

    Peace

Fabay, March 6th, 2010 at 5:07 am:

  • OMG, I didn’t even think about half the discussion that is currently taking place when I wrote this piece. My entire body is reacting to the adrenaline pumping through my veins!!!! Please keep it coming :D

E, March 6th, 2010 at 7:11 am:

  • Fana—great article and many thanks for introducing me to a new, African artist. SO far, I like what I see about Nneka and she seems very promising.

    It is not artists like her that is threatening to bury African art alive. It is us, consumers, who refuse to buy original works (yes, am talking copyright) and admire pieces that have traditional touch. If an African artist who mainly uses local language, traditional instruments, traditional clothing and traditional choreography is able to market his/her piece, then I don’t think artists like Nneka would mis-route them from traditional path. The “traditional” artists are discouraged & slowly fading because of lack of money, resources, appreciation and attention.

    I think it is lack of resources and proper market that is incapacitating African artists. For example, Rokia Traore, an artist who chose to study music in Bamako instead of Brussels finally gave in and recorded her 2008 album in France. Unfortunately, Africa is not yet equipped with appropriate musical technology to compete in the global market, thus even the artists like Traore who are struggling to maintain their culture are forced to either record abroad or team with a foreign recording company.
    Another great example is the Ethiopques. The albums are soaked with tradition…. I still feel the exceptional, high pitched, “virgin” voice of the azmaris and yet the quality of the recording is phenomenal. That is why the albums are still selling worldwide. Most of the African artists who are at the epitome of their career record their music abroad because of the resources that are available to them. Unless the artists in Africa get a platform where their talent and hard work is backed by technology, it is almost impossible for them to capture our over stimulated and saturated ears. And we must empower both traditional artists who use our native languages as well as artists like Nneka who understand & relate to our immigrant neurosis and psychosis.

Destionation-X, March 6th, 2010 at 10:07 pm:

  • E, I agree with you: we the consumers, lack of resources, proper marketing, lack of investment in the continent, especially on art, and the shortage of very business-minded artists, etc, do greatly affect the advancement of a genuine African art within Africa. These weaknesses only lead Africa to a greater dependency on the outside world. With such scenarios, the continent cannot effectively defend itself from the ever-growing pop culture influences that push indigenous cultures/ideas/languages to their graves. Obviously, in such an interlinked world, no culture will remain undiluted, but each gotta have a way to maintain its uniqueness and advance so it does not completely get engulfed by the tsunami other. That can be achieved when local artists/talents are empowered. When governments/citizens take art seriously and invest on it. The diaspora artists could also help their brothers and sisters back home! They can transfer the technology, the business know-how, etc. Hence, why I admire individuals like Aida the photographer (DestaforAfrica), Aida the film-maker (Mango Productions), Ali Farka Toure, Fela Kuti, Mulatu Astateke, and others who do the same in their fields.

    The Rokia Traore story reminds me of the Ethiopian girl from Addis who recently was trying to fund raise for her African studies program in South Africa. Although some tried to help her, the money raised was not enough for her to start the program. If she had applied to an American or European school, perhaps life would have been easier for her. Such and other inconveniences could only demoralize those who don’t want to leave the continent; consequently, the cycle of brain-drain perpetuates, the concept of self-reliance gets buried deeper. This definitely is not gonna move Africa forward. No foreign do-gooder is going to solve this problem for us, Africa must become ‘the master of its fate, the captain of its soul’. I know that sounds a cliché, but it is the truth. :)

Anddiswa, March 7th, 2010 at 7:29 am:

  • If I say ditto Destionation-X, it wouldn’t be a comment, would it? :)

    Being “the girl from Addis who recently was trying to fund raise for her African studies program in South Africa”, I understand what it means to try to be an African[made wholly in Africa], i understand the effects of colonialism and that staying in the contient does not mean being ‘immune’ to the rest of the world and the mental colonialism that comes with it but at least it would have been a way to showcase what we can do in the contient with out having to necessarily look outside[in a way]develop our own thought systems that are not necessarily Euro-centric [generally the world system and the view that comes with it is euro-centric and we happen to be the others}... I also think it's up to us[from the continent] to empower our contient instead of getting drowned by the the capitalist state of mind where one makes it out of a billion of us and the rest sits and day dreams about becoming that one person.[don't get me wrong, I am happy for Nneka, K'naan etc] but we shouldn’t be happy with just token representation, if we know we got it let’s support each other [support African business like AddisTunes, bernos ...] invest in our own Educational Institutions, etc…

    I can go all day but I got to go.

    Salaam!

tarikua, March 9th, 2010 at 6:10 am:

  • First I’d like to say how much I like this blog, so much of the issues raised and being discussed in this blog syncs with my perspective in general.
    I do believe Africans by Africans and also believe that no one but except us should tell our story. However, the truth is the opposite. My opinion is considering the fact that most of the decision around the globe is not made by Africans, we have to stay strong powerful. Powerful in a sense a right combination of connection and financial stability(money). I guess then, we tell our individual unique story or help for others to be heard. This doesn’t only pertain to artistically but also in some how every aspect.

AddisTunes, March 9th, 2010 at 4:43 pm:

  • Ok, I’m going to let my hair down a bit… I love this talking and dialogue. My question is when is the “talking” going to move beyond just that? I’ve encountered some brilliant minds from the African Diaspora. Some are doing it BIG…and some continue to talk about doing it BIG.

    I never forget the work I did with the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce. They were having meets on top of meetings….forums on top of forums…meeting about having forums….and forums about meetings! Lawd have mercy!

    K’naan has some great people behind him – which is why he’s doing so well. There are so many other great artists out there who may be kind of lazy about their careers. Do they answer e-mails? Do they communicate with fans? Are they respectful of their fans (or are they vaingloriious)? Bottom line is, nowadays you have to be really, really smart about whatever you’re doing – and give 110%.

    Whatever your views here today, I hope that you turn those thoughts into realities (in a serious wau). For example, I know Fabay is also doing Grant Solutions on top of the writing. I love this blog, and the energy behind it. This is so great, and I hope to see more positive energy out there..

    And let the record show, if there is anything AddisTunes (the site) can do to help any of you, just ask!

    Alright everyone, let’s put our feet in the dirt and make it happen!

AddisTunes, March 9th, 2010 at 5:12 pm:

  • @Tarikua “I do believe Africans by Africans and also believe that no one but except us should tell our story.”

    Ok…this one has me thinking. Like, how do I feel about this? I mean, this can be a blog all on its own…

    On one hand, I interpret what you’re saying to mean that Africans should have greater control over their stories, their images, their direction, and their destinies. I wholeheartedly agree with this.

    On the other hand, should this be interpreted to mean that Africans are the only ones to contribute to the betterment of Africa?

    Throughout the course of human history, people have often taken their own culture and history for granted. Do Ethiopians fully appreciate the beauty of the old music? I remember when I gave an Ethiopian an old copy of Mulatu Astatke’s music, they had no interest. Black folks in America have also failed to appreciate the beauty of our music. For example, there are Europeans and Japanese cats who know far more about Black music than your average Black person. This begs the question, is this somehow morally wrong? In my opinion, God bless them!!! Because of people like Francis Falceto (curator for the Ethiopiques CD series), some great Ethiopian musicians are enjoying a resurgence in their careers. But I do think it’s important for people to develop a greater appreciation for the richness in their own culture….and I don’t mean in a superficial, meaningless way.

    As a side note, ESAI recently launched a contest whereby people were supposed to say what they liked most about Ethiopian culture. The only thing people would say was, “the culture, the food, the women, etc.” Ok, nevermind the circularity in saying that your favorite part of Ethiopian culture is the “culture.” LOL! But considering that this is *your* culture, is that really the most insightful thing you can think of? Do you really want to leave stories about Ethiopia to these people? LOL!

    One time, I had a conversation with my sister-in-law about what made Ethiopia special. I won’t bore you here with my response, you can read it here instead:

    http://www.addistunes.com/ranking.php?mode=blog&message_id=9&row_template=blogs.tpl

    But it is interesting how sometimes outsiders appreciate certain aspects of a culture that those within the culture fail to see. Is it wrong? I think it’s just a fact of life – and we should just find the best way to move forward together.

    Time to put my feet in the dirt!

Henock, March 9th, 2010 at 6:14 pm:

  • Great points everyone (E, tarikua, AddisTunes, Generation x).

    I think AddisTunes is correct we all have ideas and theories on how things should work and it is up to us to find a way to make those ideas come alive.

    @Generation-X…..I think we do have a very different views on why the Chinese people only allow Chinese written books, websites, and other goods into their country. If it was up to the people you better believe majority of the people will love to adopt the western culture as it shows with most of the underground clubs and cafe’s in China. I had a chance to visit Beijing and see the craving the young generation has for the western culture and that is why I believe if it was up to the people it will be a different ball game. Lets not forget that majority of Chinese immigrants end up changing their names to an American name just for the sake of fitting in. That doesn’t only happen here in the U.S. it happens all over the world. You tell me if that is being proud of your culture. Nothing against Oriental people but I hate when people try to give them all this credit that they are a proud culture but when we really look at the real facts they are just like any other culture that has the same struggles of trying to keep it alive from the monster Western Culture…lol. The only difference is that they have become successful as a country by taking advantage of some of the worlds economic needs and profited from that, that is what they need to get medals for not for having the ability to keep their culture safe from the Western World. Its funny you mentioned Google but I think you should try it first and see what you get….nobody that is worth mentioning. I think we should just agree to disagree and let this blog be more towards finding a way to help the economy of Africa.

    In the last 10 years, the Western idea that political freedom is a prerequisite for economic freedom has lost credibility in the East. As the West declines in economic and political clout, and Eastern models begin to deliver prosperity and stability, the link is fraying. Because of this issue the people are willing to forgo their freedom/(Democracy) for the chance to have a chance to have a powerful economy.

Fabay, March 9th, 2010 at 9:34 pm:

  • “I do believe Africans by Africans and also believe that no one but except us should tell our story.” I do not really have a problem with non-African telling Africans story. What I have a problem is non-African being the ONLY ONE! “On the other hand, should this be interpreted to mean that Africans are the only ones to contribute to the betterment of Africa?” < Furthermore, I don't have a problem with non-African participating in the betterment of Africa, I encourage it. But I truly believe that to move forward as a society, Africans should be highly involved in the process of story telling, road building, technology, government, trade, agriculture, and everything that is going to impact the country directly and indirectly!

tsepeaces, March 10th, 2010 at 2:29 am:

  • wow…such a great discussion! it’s taken a life of its own! thank you for participating it’s that much more interesting because of you :)
    my comment touches on what a few people have already mentioned.

    We live in a capitalist world and supposedly we as consumers have the power to decide how the market develops (tho this is not entirely true since there are other variables at play such as the market being skewed where money is flowing the most… regardless…).

    Two quotes stick in my mind when it comes to African Art: one a statement about the value of fine art “Africans, rich Africans, refuse to buy art. The concept of “putting money on the wall” is alien to them.’”

    I think this pretty much sums up the type of utility, perspective and value we place on our art whether it’s in our own language or not. How can art in your own language/or a foreign language have the kind of value the rest of the world ascribes to art if your society doesn’t even look at or consume it in the same way? What’s happening with African Art is that our communities have a hard time putting our money where our month is…or even just coming to terms with the importance of art – this is causing the quality of art to suffer. Art has a role in forming our culture and informing our common memory/consciousness, cleansing our souls…it’s got the power for self-reflection, of forming and articulating individual and communal identity, its got the ability to heal, create/ drive innovation, be a mode to explore solutions to society’s problems, stimulate dialogue, and transfer lessons of morality/the human condition etc. etc.. art is really the articulation of life and creation/transformation… its imporatant to us humans as water is because we are social beings and we need art for society…

    In our traditional cultures ~ art is mainly functional…traditionally we sing when we’re working, celebrating, worshiping… we use parables, proverbs and stories when articulating cases in court, passing on messages or teaching our young – we make decorated objects that have utility. art is deeply integrated with living… and for some reason or other our weavers, potters, gold and silver smiths, azmaris, lallibelas (artisans) don’t get their due respect. instead…they’re regarded as outcasts of society, shunned in many places for their association with ‘demons’ or for their status…now you’d say this is an archaic point of view from an outdated system/time but that’s the bedrock on which our conceptions of art have been formed…Secular consumable art is really moving forward for mass consumption & fully accessible to the general public since the 50ies — with popular culture being what predominates…the derg was notorious for stifling music and centralizing cultural venues of expression… The idea of art as soul food for culture, a form of expression that’s necessary for the development of society, for revolution, for the inspiration of individuals who become valuable members of society – consumable art that isn’t just decorative or background ambiance music and worthy of being PAID FOR… I think is still developing its niche in the general population. this is not to say functional traditional art didn’t exist in our cultures but that the new modes didn’t adopt it in the new system and mode of interaction…And the silencing policies of our governments haven’t helped – in addition to a repressive society where speaking out and being ab-normal is frowned upon by our families, religious institutions and government…

    This topic could be a topic for a huge research project (which i’m sure has been done at some point) and I can’t claim that I have a good grasp or can go into it sufficiently on here without being pretentious lol but I believe we’re at a point of starvation when it comes to our culture – our art isn’t ascribed the value it deserves in ‘decolonizing our minds’ ‘pushing our societies forward’ its seen more as disposable and for the sake of entertainment…how many people in Ethiopia see music as a weapon for instance and have the freedom to utilize it as such without fearing being reprimanded? Dialogue itself is stifled within our cultures as it is…We definitely need a change but HOW can that change can be stimulated given the circumstances? how can we transform the mind of the consumer/society about the value of art? especially when its something someone spends money on out of their disposable income? it’s a question I can’t come to terms with…and partly behind the premise of this blog to explore the role of creative articulation…storytelling…in our psyche as a society

    When it comes to diaspora artists, I think their role and success may be due to the different perspective and setting. People in the diaspora are located outside of their original home base and from personal experience I can say have a special need to recreate and rearticulate identity in their own terms since they constantly encounter images ascribed to their identities by the outside world and are forced to manifest their lives through or in spite of these images…so i think diaspora groups have a special need to tell their own stories and use venues of creative expression that are more accessible to them. honestly, it becomes a means to stay sane, it becomes necessary….

    And to end this unexpectedly droning and probably infinitely confusing comment haha… Here’s the second quote that sticks to my mind…Haile Gerima’s statement that still resonates in my mind “Ethiopians need to realize that food on the table and money is not enough, we also need culture.”

Fikre Tolossa, March 10th, 2010 at 6:47 am:

  • Thank you so much dear Fabay, for introducing me with the music of one of Afriac’s young talent with a big mission ahead of her.The issues she raises are burning and timely. We blame everyone in Afria but ourselves for all our mishaps. Nneka compells us to face the truth, to stop blaming history and deal with current situation realistically refraining from exploitation, corruption, nepotism, etc. if we care to develop Africa and improve the livelihood of the people. That requires sincerty and boldness, qualities this premadona possesses.

    Thank you, Fabay, once again for everything.

    Fikre Tolossa, Ph.D.

AddisTunes, March 11th, 2010 at 3:41 pm:

  • @Fabay “I do not really have a problem with non-African telling Africans story. What I have a problem is non-African being the ONLY ONE!”

    Excellent point!!! I remember speaking with a friend of the family who is a TV anchor. She made the point that in order to control the “message” you have to control the “media.”

    Too often I think we forget the power of the media, and the importance of controlling the message. To complicate matters further, many African states benefit from the negative images that we see. If we look at someplace like Ethiopia, where there are TONS of donor dollars/euros/yen/etc flowing into Ethiopia, there are politicians who constantly cry poor in order to attract this type of aid. Or even if you look up images of Ethiopia, where is the beauty? Where are the images of beautiful people or green mountains? And we can’t just blame those anonymous people who “control the media.” We all have a responsibility to do more to change the images and the stories depicting Africa in such a negative light.

    Time to put our feet in the dirt.

Fabay, March 11th, 2010 at 4:31 pm:

  • @AddisTues: I love the energy, What can I do as an individual to help u accomplish ur goal lol

    @Tsepeaces I think you made good points; esp. the traditional and common preceptive of art in our society “art is mainly functional.” The quote “Ethiopians need to realize that food on the table and money is not enough, we also need culture.” is very powerful in so many ways; not only for ET/Africans but for the entire human race. As Norman Mailer would say “WITHOUT CULTURE WE’RE ALL TOTALITARIAN BEASTS.”

    Who is Norman Mailer? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Mailer

Destionation-X, March 11th, 2010 at 4:34 pm:

  • @AddisTunes, you made a great point. The media is so important that you see it repressed in every authoritarian state that exists, in addition to it being used as a vehicle for social change. In deed, not only those control media control the message but the public mentality as well. None other than Orwell’s 1984 portrays well the importance of media in a society (ruled either by a totalitarian or a democratic regime) and how a given State can exploit it to accomplish the following:

    “There will be no loyalty, except loyalty towards the Party. There will be no love, except the love of Big Brother. There will be no laughter, except the laugh of triumph over a defeated enemy. There will be no art, no literature, no science. When we are omnipotent there will be no need of science. There will be no distinction between beauty and ugliness. There will be no curiosity, no enjoyment of the process of life. All competing pleasures will be destroyed. But always—do not forget this Winston—always there will be the intoxication of power, constantly increasing and constantly growing subtler. Always, at every moment, there will be the thrill of victory, the sensation of trampling on an enemy who is helpless. If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face—forever.”

    One certain way to control social media is to have a political freedom at home besides the economic freedom that is needed to own such media.

    “And let the record show, if there is anything AddisTunes (the site) can do to help any of you, just ask!” …. that is awesome. I’ve a question, and I would like to ask privately. :) Any email?

    @ Henock … lol well, I guess you said it right when you decided let’s agree to disagree. I wish our politicians also do the same. Having said that I do agree with you that we do tend to glamorize the Orient perhaps more than it deserves. But I still stand by my argument that they do well promoting their culture/identity more than we Africans do! Just because a Chinaman changes his name to an American to fit in, that does not mean he is less proud of his culture or his Chinese identity … In fact, the Jews have done similar things in the past when the Nazi threatened their survival. Some did change their names to German names, but their heart n deed was more Jewish than it probably was before. If changing my Ethiopian name to a British name lands me to a job, do you think I would wash my eyes with a salt? :) And that would not make me look like I despise my culture, either. Sure, the young in China might want to be more like the West … that is probably due to the fact that they are told not to do so. People rebel when you deny them the freedom to choose …

    Cheers

Fabay, March 11th, 2010 at 8:29 pm:

tarikua, March 12th, 2010 at 4:28 am:

  • Believe me I don’t have any problem with non-africans contributing to the telling of african stories. It just saddens me when it becomes redundant as if the west is the only one capable of doing it. It saddens me to see when african prints are presented at fancy runway shows as “this seasons exotic trend” or the African struggle and history presented through the eyes of western cinema. I am not hating, but it always rings the question “Why not us?”. When the oil and the minerals are operated by top European and American companies.I am not in anyway indirectly attaching it to colonial blame, WE JUST HAVE TO STEP UP. We(as Africans) have to show we care. Just like Nneka, once we get to certain level of achievement, let’s touch people through our unique stories.

tsepeaces, March 12th, 2010 at 4:40 am:

  • great link fabay thanks!

AddisTunes, March 12th, 2010 at 5:02 pm:

AddisTunes, March 12th, 2010 at 5:19 pm:

  • @Tarikua. Let me ask you a question? Do you think there’s also a certain level of “laziness” when it comes to helping folks back home? For example, when I ask Ethiopians (whether at home or abroad) about the plight of the Anuak, no one ever even heard of this group of people or the genocide that is taken place:

    http://www.anyuakmedia.com/com_10_03_2.html

    I’m not saying that they *MUST* know about this one particular issue. But there is a general lack of knowledge about anything going on that is impacting others… Why are non-Africans adopting all these orphans while people back home refuse to (some claiming that the child would never really be theirs…)? And I’m not talking about the people who are struggling….granted…their lives are hard enough. But there are plenty of people C-H-I-L-L-I-N-G!!!!

    I don’t know what to think about this really….which is kind of why I’m asking. But it just astounds me that people can dedicate endless hours talking over nonsense while drinking shai and bunna…but can’t take 5 minutes to read about the suffering of fellow Ethiopians.

    Even when my wife was back in Addis, she began volunteering daily at an orphanage (Hannah’s Orphage: http://hannasorphanage.org.uk/ ). She could barely find people who were willing to help out, visit, or even donate 20 birr to help these kids. Now bear in mind, they were people with 1) jobs 2) no responsibilities (i.e., they lived at home with their parents), 3) no kids, and 4) plenty of time to chat at the cafes.

    Call me “too American”…but I just don’t get it. Sorry ya’ll…

    BTW, a really GREAT book if any of you are interested is “How to Change the World,” which discusses social entrepreneurship and social innovation:

    http://blog.guykawasaki.com/2007/09/social-entrepre.html#axzz0hz30VIFe

Destionation-X, March 13th, 2010 at 6:09 pm:

  • @AddisTunes: “When I ask Ethiopians (whether at home or abroad) about the plight of the Anuak, no one ever even heard of this group of people or the genocide that is taken place.”

    I think that has to do with the way the media is monitored/controlled as I discussed above. When your source of information comes from one place, your level of awareness is obviously limited. So part of the blame goes to the state.

    And the other part of the blame comes to us–the citizens. Generally speaking, people in urban areas in Ethiopia tend to b more obsessed about Wuch Ager than Wust Ager. That I can prove it with the number of Satellite Dishes available in most well-to-do families, for example.

    There is nothing wrong in being curious about the outside world, in being aware of what happens beyond our borders, in fact, it is important we know; but when the curiosity becomes an obsession, and when we begin to worship the other and we know little or nothing about ours, then that becomes a mega problem.

    Today a young person in Addis probably knows more about what goes on in Hollywood (or appears to know more), the latest Gap apparel in the market, or the upcoming Gray’s Anatomy/Prison Break episode than what’s happening in Addis itself.

    So even if the media is to be free, there is no guarantee that the self-awareness level will increase; in fact, free media can b dangerous to survival of one’s culture/identity if not properly monitored.

    For most of us, our pride with Ethiopian culture does not go beyond eating Injera, drinking Tej, speaking in Amharic, talking about the rock-hewn churches or the battle of Adwa, or wearing a T-Shirt that has an Ethiopian flag on it etc … which is all wonderful and something to b proud of indeed. But when it comes to the remaining cultures we don’t seem that passionate, that curious, that proud. Some of us even find it difficult to accept some of the cultures and the people who practice them are indeed Ethiopian … this mentality still exists … it obviously has to do with our upbringing and the level of awareness we have about the country we call home …

    Here is a story of a young Ethiopian from Gambella:

    http://www.ethiotube.net/video/8213/Ethiopian-Short-Film–Breaking-Barriers

    To increase the cultural awareness, we have to produce materials like this film and find a way to reach the wider Ethiopian audience. But even this film itself does not live up to its title; it is produced mainly for a foreign audience or for those Ethiopians who have the privilege to understand English. How many people in Ethiopia understand or speak English? And what is the point of making a film in English about breaking barrier in Ethiopia? The problem that the young man talks about is an Ethiopian problem. But how is telling that problem in English going to solve the problem? If the film-makers interest is to share the young man’s story only with the outside world, then it makes sense. Otherwise, it’s a big self-contradiction.

    Increasing awareness, in my view, starts with the State allowing the free flow of information, which means a minimally regulated media that is not limited to one national TV or radio. And the emerging media will have to be careful, too, the way it disseminates information; it has to know its audience and what the audience wants. I personally do not want a bunch of DSTV wanna b channels that only propagate Western fads to invade the nation in the name of free media.

    The free media idea should be exploited more to tell our stories in our own languages, to raise cultural awareness creatively and entertainingly, to truly break the barrier that stands between the 80 plus ethnic groups in our country, to speak truth, and to advocate for justice and social harmony.

AddisTunes, March 13th, 2010 at 6:22 pm:

  • @Destionation-X “..our pride with Ethiopian culture does not go beyond eating Injera, drinking Tej, speaking in Amharic, talking about the rock-hewn churches or the battle of Adwa, or wearing a T-Shirt that has an Ethiopian flag on it etc..”

    Ok, I’m on the floor laughing right now! LOL! All excellent points.

    But can we really wait for power to cede power (over the media, for example)? I think there needs to be yearning in the people to want to learn more… Most revolutionary movements have started at the grass roots level, working around the confines of the systems in place..

    As Steven Biko said, “The most potent weapon of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed.”

    Thanks for your insights. I’ve learned a lot!!!!!

AddisTunes, March 13th, 2010 at 6:51 pm:

tarikua, March 13th, 2010 at 8:09 pm:

  • @Dest.-X I have to agree with you totally. All great points.
    But keep in mind that for the majority of ethiopians living in ethio, they are more concerned about improving their day to day lives. A very limited number of the population have access to privelaged life. so for them, going grand thinking what can i do to change or imporve other people life is like adding another problem to their daily struggle. Kinda like “Ba enkerte laye joro degefe”
    For those of us who are overseas(more privelaged than those living in ethio.) Most of us are engrossed with materialistic life, buy this house, buy this car, send money home to relatives, and just settle. Just sit back and watch things unravel. There is also a feeling, “how big of a change/impact would i make?” I am sorry to say this I haven’t met many habeshas who are interested in changing, in making impact to the different issues (socially, economically,politically) of ethio. I am talking as little as thought provoking discussions.
    Understandable when it comes to the dirty politics and corrupted burecracy. A lot of my parents generation (derg period) are so fed-up with politics and never want to do anything with it. However, being a pessimist shouldn’t be answer to issues facing our country.

tsepeaces, March 15th, 2010 at 1:15 am:

  • @destination-x you make such fantastic points!
    and I am really glad to see the trajectory of this convo cos the next article on the blog is going to touch on some of these topics coming up on the comments as well! Thanks so much for your participation these conversations are very informative discussion for sure!

    @addistune to answer your question about grassroots movements…many grassroots movements have had ideological content from which they spring from. content and dialogue that has been embraced by the people but produced by select leaders. this kind of discourse can only be framed well if we Ethiopians create these ideological materials that spring from on our society’s truths (with bottom-up perspectives). this is the kind of discourse that frames community as well as self-identity…and i sincerely believe we Ethiopians are responsible for generating this and for some reason or other have be crippled through various reasons including: consecutive gov’ts cracking down on dissent and inducing fear to us being more outward-looking rather than inward. these are the ways we can build movements from the bottom up – and that’s why media, stories, language, art and all the things we are discussing here (or the absence of these things) are key to our progress.

    @tarikua that’s an important point/perception, i had this same conversation with someone else about the topics you raised. I asked her to share this blog with her friends and she told me ‘esti muk yemiyagnik deltot filsifina yemiyawtenetin sew lifelig’ (lemmi look for the comfortable people who relish sitting around/reading and philosophizing.)
    there is a perception that only the well-off can do that…like people with lower economic status don’t engage in these kinds of discussions. I beg to differ! Whatever someone’s social class I think people have dialog about things beyond your village’s latest scandal or rumors about their neighbour…especially when these individuals have been exposed to different ideas and even some education. K’naan calls them the ‘dusty footed philosophers’ the little kids in the slums who sit & discuss everything from the sun and the moon to solutions to their country’s problems even when they have little exposure to education or privilege. I really think that’s real. But like you also mentioned, I agree that the red terror/white terror phenomenon has crippled our abilities to foster this organic dialogue into a movement replacing it with fear.

Destionation-X, March 15th, 2010 at 2:02 am:

  • @ AddisTunes: I agree with you that one may not have to wait for power to cede power.

    @ Tarikua: I agree with you, too, that for the majority of the people (particularly those in the rural areas, about 80% of the population) to think of or to worry about abstract concepts or grand ideas may seem a luxury, especially when they r struggling to get out of poverty … (however, that does not mean they don’t think or worry about those ideas; they just don’t have the means.)

    Therefore, the burden of fighting for grand ideas, and raising awareness of/mobilizing/stirring the majority rests on the shoulder of those that are privileged or that consider themselves privileged, whether they live overseas or inside the country. If the privileged get so fed up (or become pessimist) and can’t think of ways to change (or find a solution to) a failing system, that will only make things worse for the not-privileged and the society in general.

    Having said that, I do not think being overseas qualifies one as more privileged than someone who has not left Ethiopia. To be privileged one has to first change one’s life and be in a position to help others. So for me a farmer who toils day and night in some rural village could be as less privileged as someone who struggles day and night to make ends meet in some country overseas.

    Cheers,

Destionation-X, March 15th, 2010 at 2:08 am:

  • @Tsepeaces …. thanks for the compliment … :) I was writing while you were posting, so I did not get to respond to you on the above post. I totally agree with you that your economic status does not determine whether you can discuss philosophical ideas or not … in fact most great philosophers were poor or chose to live their lives in poverty … :)

Fabay, March 15th, 2010 at 3:17 pm:

  • All I can say is I am loving this :D . Damn why can’t ppl. in the A be so out of the box thinkers and enjoy interesting conversations!
    @ X Breaking Barriers is interesting, tnx for sharing!

AddisTunes, March 15th, 2010 at 4:35 pm:

  • @Fabay “Damn why can’t ppl. in the A be so out of the box thinkers and enjoy interesting conversations!”

    LOL! Unfortunately, culture and tradition sometimes trump thinking… Being different is frowned upon.

tsepeaces, March 15th, 2010 at 9:50 pm:

  • @addistunes do you mean everywhere?? i think america encourages rebellion…even romanticizes it whereas in ethiopia u’re either crazyaaaayyy or KARAZAHY u catch my drift?

AddisTunes, March 16th, 2010 at 1:52 pm:

  • ETH, babes…. LOL!

Fabay, March 17th, 2010 at 12:17 am:

tarikua, March 17th, 2010 at 2:38 am:

  • @Dest-X, I don’t think privilage is onlyinterms of social status. It’s the different environment that we live in. The free flow of information,the freedom of experession, endless possibilites. We ought to be able to use all these to bring some difference.
    @tsepeaces I totally agree on ur point. They have so much to offer. Again, how many of them are introudced to education or new ideas? Just a thought!

Addislinx, March 17th, 2010 at 3:45 am:

  • I really enjoyed this post and the discussion after it.

    This is a quote from blenartshow.com

    “As an immigrant community abroad, and a community focused on immigration at home, we lose the entirety of ourselves. Our culture [Ethiopian] has been stripped down to the bare necessities of economic survival. We can argue intelligently about politics, but not beauty. We command our sons and daughters to become lawyers, businessmen, and doctors, but never painters, poets, or singers. We are engineering a generation of Ethiopians who will specialize in prolonging life and will have no idea how to appreciate it.”

    I agree for the most part with the quote but I am much more optimistic about the future of art in Ethiopia (if the necessary steps are taken)

    I see the problem in the disconnect between the artist and the audience. The artist thinks there is not a lot of audience and the audience thinks there are not a lot of artists. And for the artist and the audience that believe otherwise, there is a lack of a well organized and rich platform for the appreciation of the art (art, music, fashion…) culture.

    I applaud what blogs like senduq and sites like addistunes on their effort to bridge this gap and create a culture. A lot of new blogs are emerging and I see their potential on creating a dynamic and critical platform.

    I believe one huge way of creating that culture is through the involvement of the artist and the art lovers in the this enormous wave of SOCIAL MEDIA.

    I agree with addistunes saying the “media” controlling the “message” but Social Media is a new type of media where WE are creating the message collaboratively and not one corporation or a government.

    I am an architecture student but I love all kinds of different artistic works of Habesha artists. I would always stumble on amazing talents that are scattered all over the web. With no prior knowledge about the world of blogging or Social media I decided to do something about it and launched a blog (addislinx.com) without knowing what to expect. Four months has passed and the feedback has been enormous. Just by the act of sharing what i found on the internet, my understanding and appreciation of the works of amazing Ethiopian artists has grown greatly. I tried to use Social media as much as i could to create the connection and the platform that i am talking about and it is working beyond my expectations!

AddisTunes, March 22nd, 2010 at 5:16 pm:

  • Addislinx, great job and great insight!

Pablo, March 29th, 2010 at 2:03 am:

  • Nice Blog
    Greetings for all African friends…
    From Argentina, Pablo Aro Geraldes

    http://www.arogeraldes.com

    I wait your visit and your messages

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