ADVERTISEMENT
Thursday, February 2, 2023
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
Involve Africa
  • Home
  • All African News
  • Politics
  • Technology
  • Entertainment News
    • Travel
    • Tourism
    • Arts
  • Finance
    • Food & Agriculture
    • Business & Economy
  • Crypto News
  • Energy & Environment
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • All African News
  • Politics
  • Technology
  • Entertainment News
    • Travel
    • Tourism
    • Arts
  • Finance
    • Food & Agriculture
    • Business & Economy
  • Crypto News
  • Energy & Environment
No Result
View All Result
Involve Africa
No Result
View All Result
ADVERTISEMENT
Home Arts

How Kenya’s ‘patriotic’ choral music has been used to embed a skewed version of history

Involve Africa by Involve Africa
May 31, 2022
in Arts
0
How Kenya’s ‘patriotic’ choral music has been used to embed a skewed version of history
585
SHARES
3.2k
VIEWS
https://web.facebook.com/involveafricanews?_rdc=1&https://twitter.com/involveafricanews


Choral music – patriotic choral music in particular – is a significant genre in Kenya’s political history.

Patriotic music is defined by how it engages citizen to praise and express sentiments of national affiliation. In the Kenyan context patriotic choral music has been used to influence behaviour and the forming of a national identity.

We traced the history of the music to explore how it has been used in this way in the country. We found that songs that were composed and performed in the immediate aftermath of Kenya’s struggle for independence urged the public to forget colonial injustices to build the new country.

This music was used to create political heroes out of individuals at the expense of the hosts of people who contributed to the country’s independence. It continues to be used as a political tool. This is primarily done through a distribution network that involves airplay on both private and state broadcasters, and during national holidays.

A long tradition

Choral music was used to amplify former President Jomo Kenyatta’s widely publicised rhetoric of “forgive and forget”.

Kenya’s first president introduced the idea in his speech to the nation at the first celebration of Kenyatta Day – later renamed Mashujaa (Heroes) Day – on 20 October 1964. He proclaimed that:

the foundation of our future must lie in the theme: forgive and forget.

It would later become a motto closely linked to his presidency. His policies inaugurated a national culture of selective socio-political amnesia.

This persists in contemporary Kenya.

Most of the choral music composed and performed in Kenya as ‘patriotic music’ has been embraced and influenced by the government through the Permanent Presidential Music Commission (PPMC).

The commission was established in 1988 under President Daniel arap Moi, Kenya’s second president. The government agency deals with the entertainment functions of the state, among others.

Music researchers Hellen Agak and Kakston Mindoti observe that the commission scrutinises all Kenyan patriotic choral music to ensure that it conforms to the social and political ideals of the government. The commission also examines the quality of music and messages communicated.

Over different government regimes, patriotic choral music has been presented to the public through the national broadcaster and during state celebrations of national days. The music presented is curated through the commission.

During these celebrations, a few selected canonical choral pieces have continued to dominate through different governments and political regimes.

The telling of history

Our research focused mainly on the music of Enock Ondego, one of Kenya’s pioneer composers. Ondego’s ‘Huu ni Wimbo wa Historia’ (This is a Song of History) is perhaps the main choral composition that has persisted through different regimes.

‘Huu ni Wimbo wa Historia’ was composed in May 1964. It was first performed before President Kenyatta by the children of Samburu Primary School.

The song foregrounds the importance of the anti-colonial struggle in Kenya’s history. It opens with a plea to the audience to pay attention to the message.

It is a narrative of the experiences of different victims during the 1952 emergency period. The lyrics suggest that the struggle for Kenya’s independence was a collective moral phenomenon. Lines 7 and 8 – “there was sorrow in the country Kenya” and “all the people were very sad” – capture this reality.

In lines 14 and 15, the song further explains that there was “matata” (trouble) and that “many people died because of freedom”.

Yet, the history documented in the choral song is a selective one.

Despite the promise of its title, ‘Huu ni Wimbo wa Historia’ foregrounds only Kenyatta’s involvement in the freedom struggle. It does this by focusing on the supposed physical and emotional violence he faced as an individual. This erases the contribution of everyone else in the country’s struggle for independence.

The song initially mentions that Kenyatta was arrested together with other freedom fighters. But the others remain unnamed and unacknowledged (lines 4, 5 and 6).

Lines 20, 21, 22 and 23 invoke the memory of how Kenyatta and other representatives travelled to Britain to negotiate for Kenya’s constitution. Again, the lyrics foreground Kenyatta only. The promise of a collective identified by the idea of ‘representatives’ suddenly collapses into the singular.

When he reached there … he was beaten with rotten eggs … The father of the nation did not mind … he won and came back with a constitution for our country, Kenya.

Rather than recognising that Kenya’s constitutional victory was the result of collective endeavour, the song suggests that it was produced by the individual efforts of Kenyatta.

This silencing takes on added significance when considering the original naming of the commemorative day upon which this song reflects: Kenyatta Day.

The individuality cult of Kenyatta is central in understanding how music became a site where heroes were purged from Kenyan history, or where their role in the making of the nation was undermined.

Such narratives risk promoting socio-political, historical and even economic exclusion in the process of nation formation.

To echo literary professor Pumla Dineo Gqola’s work on postcolonial slave memory in South Africa, forgetting and remembering are framed within power hierarchies, where “unremembering is a calculated act of exclusion and erasure”.

In the current government, songs such as ‘Huu ni Wimbo wa Historia’ continue to get significant airplay, especially on national holidays.

Influencing memory and history

By relying on such music for entertainment during state commemorative events, the presidential music commission plays a crucial function in statecraft, especially in the context of influencing memory and history.

But the musical and performance component of the songs also reveals that it is multi-layered.

The emotive tone and mood of ‘Huu ni Wimbo wa Historia’ demonstrate the immensity of the pain endured in the anti-colonial struggle. Feelings of despair and sorrow are painted through repetition and by onomatopoeic sounds, such as ‘woooi woooi’ (line 11).

Such sounds capture the general mourning response of the public not only to Kenyatta’s arrest, but also to the deaths and torture witnessed after the state of emergency was declared.

Hence, the song’s text seems to call for a celebratory turn towards the future, while simultaneously ruminating in the pain of the past through non-linguistic verbal signifiers that reach their full effect only in performance.

This shows that patriotic choral music in Kenya, although repeatedly used as a political tool, also shares the potential for contesting meaning and drawing listeners’ attention to different layers of significance embedded in musical texts.



Source_link

You might also like

Univeristies and excellence in default — Opinion — The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News

Leading artists criticise Barbican’s collaboration with Israeli embassy for concert | UK news

Vision & Sound: An African American Experience Feb. 1–28

Previous Post

What coltan mining in the DRC costs people and the environment

Next Post

ST Engineering iDirect and ComClark partner to raise the bar on satellite internet for students across the Philippines

Involve Africa

Involve Africa

Related Posts

Univeristies and excellence in default — Opinion — The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News
Arts

Univeristies and excellence in default — Opinion — The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News

by Involve Africa
February 2, 2023
Arts

Leading artists criticise Barbican’s collaboration with Israeli embassy for concert | UK news

by Involve Africa
February 1, 2023
Vision & Sound: An African American Experience Feb. 1–28
Arts

Vision & Sound: An African American Experience Feb. 1–28

by Involve Africa
February 1, 2023
A Big List of Things To Do This February in L.A. [2023]
Arts

A Big List of Things To Do This February in L.A. [2023]

by Involve Africa
February 1, 2023
Baltimore Fishbowl | Terri Lee Freeman of Reginald F. Lewis Museum
Arts

Baltimore Fishbowl | Terri Lee Freeman of Reginald F. Lewis Museum

by Involve Africa
January 31, 2023
Next Post
Rajant Named a Winner of Security Today’s 2022 “Govies”

ST Engineering iDirect and ComClark partner to raise the bar on satellite internet for students across the Philippines

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recommended

Mahindra named fastest-growing brand in South Africa Johannesburg

Mahindra named fastest-growing brand in South Africa Johannesburg

January 12, 2023
Kanaani condemns murder of African-American teacher

Kanaani condemns murder of African-American teacher

January 14, 2023

Categories

  • All African News
  • Arts
  • Business & Economy
  • Crypto News
  • Energy & Environment
  • Entertainment News
  • Finance
  • Food & Agriculture
  • News Videos
  • Politics
  • Technology
  • Tourism
  • Travel

Don't miss it

African Development Fund helps create thousands of jobs for youth in Malawi | African Development Bank
Food & Agriculture

African Development Fund helps create thousands of jobs for youth in Malawi | African Development Bank

February 2, 2023
Ethiopia: a border town ravaged by the Tigray conflict | DW News
News Videos

Ethiopia: a border town ravaged by the Tigray conflict | DW News

February 2, 2023
A newbie’s safety guide to solo travel
Tourism

A newbie’s safety guide to solo travel

February 2, 2023
Univeristies and excellence in default — Opinion — The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News
Arts

Univeristies and excellence in default — Opinion — The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News

February 2, 2023
Nigeria: Govt Replies El-Rufai, Says Buhari Not Working for or Against Any Presidential Candidate
Politics

Nigeria: Govt Replies El-Rufai, Says Buhari Not Working for or Against Any Presidential Candidate

February 2, 2023
Ground Breakers: Billionaire mining boss Robert Friedland calls for end of African discount in epic copper rant
Technology

Ground Breakers: Billionaire mining boss Robert Friedland calls for end of African discount in epic copper rant

February 2, 2023

Social Bar

Welcome to involve Africa The goal of involve Africa is to give you the absolute best news sources for any topic! Our topics are carefully curated and constantly updated as we know the web moves fast so we try to as well.

Categories

  • All African News
  • Arts
  • Business & Economy
  • Crypto News
  • Energy & Environment
  • Entertainment News
  • Finance
  • Food & Agriculture
  • News Videos
  • Politics
  • Technology
  • Tourism
  • Travel

Site Links

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Recent News

African Development Fund helps create thousands of jobs for youth in Malawi | African Development Bank

African Development Fund helps create thousands of jobs for youth in Malawi | African Development Bank

February 2, 2023
Ethiopia: a border town ravaged by the Tigray conflict | DW News

Ethiopia: a border town ravaged by the Tigray conflict | DW News

February 2, 2023

INVOLVEAFRICA.COM

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • All African News
  • Politics
  • Technology
  • Entertainment News
    • Travel
    • Tourism
    • Arts
  • Finance
    • Food & Agriculture
    • Business & Economy
  • Crypto News
  • Energy & Environment

INVOLVEAFRICA.COM

What Are Cookies
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT