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August and Eritrean
Music Amanuel Biedemariam
Every
summer and particularly in August, Eritreans become extra busy with social
events by celebrating the annual Festivals in Eritrea and around the world.
The events are major contributors to Eritrean societies around the world with
out exception. They play important roles and have become an integral part to the
Eritrean way of life worthy of gratitude and source of comfort to all
Eritreans for many reasons.
The
primary reason for the festivals is Eritrean UNITY! Every thing else is
bonus. The benefits fill wide range of needs for all involved. Young Eritreans
get to know each other; Eritrean leaders deliver updates and hear from the
public, artists display and sell their art; and sports take center stage
exciting the young and uniting them. Eritrean restaurants are full,
businesses get their share and some get opportunities to network. Eritrean
artists sell their newly released CD’s, show-case their talents and get their
props or love from their adoring fans on concerts. It is a win-win situation
for all involved. And every year the
music sounds better and the concerts get livelier. This
year, I had the opportunity to attend festivals in two cities a week apart;
in Toronto Canada on the first week of August and a week later in DC; and as
you may have guessed, I received my charge.
The
purpose of my trip to Canada was to visit family. However, since all my
family members were attending the festival in Toronto, I tagged along. The
concert was on a Public Park and the music started late while we lollygagged
around uninterested. The local Eritrean bands of Toronto finished playing and
warmed up the audience. Then all the sudden and to my surprise, I heard
familiar music that caught my attention. I turned around and I was looking at
this imposing stage with a beautiful sunset rays that beamed from the back of it giving a hallo affect and
making it difficult to see who was playing on stage; and attracted by the
action I drew closer to the stage.
The
music was intense, fun, relentless and it took me a minute to realize I was
watching musicians from Eritrea, direct from Asmara. Better yet, it is Brikti
Tanki, the legendary musician amongst many. The singer that really rocked the
house was Dawit Shilan. He turned the place upside down with his fiery songs
that combined the oldies but goodies like Konjitiye, songs from the sixties
and Guayla that sent the place into frenzy. I was awed with his intensity and
mastery of the traditional Kirar accompanied by energetic base player that
moved the place. It was a dream, a dream I didn’t expect to experience with
great quality of sound and musical coordination. I was blown away and happy
that I tagged along not expecting any thing!
I
love music and I love Eritrean music for every thing it represents. I always
look forward to attend and enjoy the annual DC festival in Upper Marlboro and
every year it seems like the event gets better. This year was special because
one my favorite singer, Helen Meles was the featured artist. She didn’t
disappoint. It is fulfilling to see hundreds if not thousands flock from
their seats on-to the dance floor. Kids, elders, young men and women in
Unisom covered the dance floor with a nationalistic fervor that puts any one
into a patriotic trance. And the love expressed from the audience to the
musicians was a testament to the point I am making.
Once
again, I was awed by the quality of music and the coordination of the
musicians. I was particularly blown away by the base guitar played by Yemane
that hovered on the stage non stop beautifully with minimum breaks and
interruption driving those who were dancing crazy. The concerts I attended in
combination with newly released CD’s by Bereket Mengisteab, Wedi Tukul, and
Tareke Tesfahiwot among others made for a special August musically. But, what’s the big deal? Eritrean
music and musicians are by far the most patriotic musicians to say the least.
And what they endured over the last thirty-plus years was nothing but
amazing. They lost their musical resources, lost their physical musical
environments, lost their freedom to express their patriotism, they were
physically disbursed around the world and to top it there was no
institutional support to encourage and nurture them. In other terms it means
that the fate of Eritrean music was the fate of Eritrea, it was meant to die! What
is inspiring is the fact that through all these challenges, Eritrean
musicians persevered and sustained the musical needs of Eritrea through thick
and thin. It did not matter that they could not afford musical equipments, or
they lacked the technology, or advanced technical expertise that could have
allowed them to keep up with musicians around the world, but they kept
feeding us music that we needed; to inspire, console, entertain, love and so
on. That is a true legacy of every Eritrean musician with out exception. They
gave us music from Meda, Saudi Arabia, Italy, US and from every where around
the world consistently.
However, what made this
years musical success even more special is the fact that it came on the hills
of a major sanctions against the people of Eritrea by the US. Without getting
specific and veer-away from my subject; Eritrean music, Eritrean musicians
and the people of Eritrea are one of the same. Once again, Eritrean musicians
answered the call and gave Eritrea a uniting spirit. The unity many try to
weaken unsuccessfully. They try because they don’t understand; they fail to
understand Eritrea is for REAL! They can sanction all they want, but it is
certain that Eritrea will always find a way. Eritrea can screw a whole
some-how, and create an opening to say here we are! A testament of the
illusive resilience unseen any where! Even
better, after a successful YPFDJ conference; all those who attended received
another opportunity to thank Helen Meles and the band on Sunday August 31st.
What was special about that night? To see the young future of Eritrea truly
appreciating each other and the music was a blessing. Moreover, the
camaraderie amongst them was impregnable! All these, while they hoisted,
waved and danced with Eritrean Flag. What a fulfilling and heart warming
experience! I Love Erei!!
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