Celebrating Women: International Women’s Day, 2007
Celebrating Women Musicians from South America
Today is International Women’s Day (IWD).This day recognises the struggle by women to eradicate the cultural, legal and political obstacles that stop them from attaining economic independence and that create an unequal gender status quo. In addition, the day celebrates the progress of women throughout the world despite the limitations imposed upon them.
As with every IWD, the list of women one would like to honour and celebrate and who are an inspiration is an ever lengthening one. This list would be extremely long as one would be duty bound to mention all the women, famous or unknown, working to make a difference.
Nonetheless, as with every IWD, my list, were I to produce it, would include some regulars as I would include my mother, my wonderful sisters (both biological and non-biological), peace activists, law makers, Nobel laureates, leaders, lecturers and professors, writers and poets and not forgetting women bloggers and my online support network – the indefatigable group that supports me when I am faced with misogynists.
During last year’s IWD, my focus was on celebrating African women’s musicians. The magnificent divas who have managed to achieve world class fame and recognition in face of adversity through their talent and sheer hard work.
Continuing on the theme of music and musicians as the arts are very close to my heart, I want to focus on three women musicians of African descent from South America or the Latin world. These women’s ancestry is partly or wholly African – a fact that is acknowledged and splendidly reflected in their music. They too have had to overcome hardship. As Virginia Rodrigues (see below) said at the start of her career: “I have three strikes against me: I’m a woman, I’m black and I’m poor.”
These women truly make up the soundtrack of my life and the lives of many people as their songs encompass universal themes such as love, joy, life, sorrow, struggle, etc. Additionally and more important, the women are exceptionally talented and their music superb and superlative.
Shine on, Salvador da Bahia’s leading vocalist, Virginia Rodriques. Virginia Rodrigues is proud of her African roots and says I sing for people of African descent..the gods of the Candomblé religion, for the earth, water and air, for myself, and for us.” This diva’s beautiful voice is an incredible, rich contralto with an amazing range. I fell in love with Virginia Rodrigues’ voice since I listened to her first album ‘Sol Negro’ 5 years ago and I still hunger for more.
Shine on Celia Cruz, Cuban diva and three-time Grammy Award and four-time Latin Grammy winner. Like Virginia Rodrigues, Celia Cruz has a lovely voice that defies description and in one word, Celia Cruz’ music just makes me happy. Her sense of joy and fun is infectious and it is impossible to listen to her dance hits without dancing, without smiling and not without wanting to thank God for life and love.
Shine on Susana Baca, Peruvian diva, almost solely responsible for the revival and reclaiming of Afro-Peruvian music. I love Susana Baca because for me, first and foremost, she is a poet – her first musical release was a cassette of poetry set to music after all. Her voice is sweet, very moving, convincing and authentic. Susana Baca sings from the heart. One of my favourite Susana Baca songs is ‘Maria Lando’ a ballad recounting the daily struggle of a black working woman and also ‘El Mayoral’ (Slave Driver).
Happy International Women’s Day to you.
15 comments
[...] reminds of the the purpose behind international women’s day Today is International Women’s Day (IWD).This day recognises the struggle by women to eradicate [...]
[...] reminds of the the purpose behind international women’s day Today is International Women’s Day (IWD).This day recognises the struggle by women to eradicate [...]
Its been awhile how are you …let me wish you happy women day
best wishes
Happy IWD to you – love your choice.
where is Toto Lampasino (spelling?)
Thanks you inspired me to write today
[...] writes: Continuing on the theme of music and musicians as the arts are very close to my heart, I want to [...]
Yes, ONE LOVE! I love it. This a wonderful tribute. We should always celebrate our brothers and sisters in the African Diaspora. Thank you for this. Peace~
Its been awhile I hope you are well
Just a quick stop over to greet you
i love my mom and i respect all women in this world
Hon Raila Amolo Odinga, the Mp for Kibera, nay, Langata, is considered a Kingmaker in Kenyan politics. According to the late Hon Michael Kijana Wamalwa, he inspires both Railamania and Railaphobia while the latest biography aptly describes him as an enigma in Kenyan politics. In Luo Nyanza Raila has cultivated a cult of personality that is the envy of many a politician. This cult has spawned myths that elevates Raila almost to the level of luo legends like Gor Mahia and Lwanda Magere. Infact, Hon Raila Amolo Odinga, the Mp for Kibera, nay, Langata, is considered a Kingmaker in Kenyan politics. According to the late Hon Michael Kijana Wamalwa, he inspires both Railamania and Railaphobia while the latest biography aptly describes him as an enigma in Kenyan politics. In Luo Nyanza Raila has cultivated a cult of personality that is the envy of many a politician. This cult has spawned myths that elevates Raila almost to the level of luo legends like Gor Mahia and Lwanda Magere. Infact, professors of Political Science bow in awe and sing praises to Agwambo, owad gi Akinyi
Raila straddles the Kenyan political landscape like the proverbial colossus. Whenever, he is out of the country, his absence speaks even louder. He has the knack of setting the political agenda by just calling a prss conference; and even if you are dyed-in-the-wool critique of this guy, you must appreciate one fact: he is a force that cannot be wished away.
Despite all this accolades as a politician, Raila fails miserable as a leader. This is manifested by the increasing socio-economic misery that he has brought to members of the luo community. No wonder, the word luo Nyanza evokes negative feelings of poverty disease and immaturity. This is not to say that Raila is wholly responsible for the woes facing the luo community, members of this community are equally culpable.
To begin with, Raila enjoys unbridled power as leaders of the luo community- forget the fact that he is a Nairobi MP. This has come about due to the fact that the luos suffered immensely under Kenyatta and Moi to the point where they were desperate for leaders who will fearless fight for them. The late Jaramogi Odinga, one of the most principled and honest politicians this country has ever had – took up this mantle but fate was not kind to him. His son ascended to this throne with the promise to deliver the luo from socio-political wilderness. Unbeknown to the luo community, he subtly changed course and is now leading them deeper and deeper into the hot desert while he is covered with a human umbrella and has fresh water at his disposal. He has even taken all the manna that dropped from heaven so that his people can remain hungry and beg from him.
Many sons and daughters of the luo community have died in this circus of the so called political and economic liberation while his closest relatives live in luxury. When its is appropriate, Raila sheds crocodile tears knowing well aware that these suffering and death only serves to reinforce the persecution complex within the community that ensures his political survival.
It is instructive to note that the sugar and fish sector remain the mainstay of luo economy. However, no single day not one I know of has Raila ever employed his mobilization skill and rhetoric to fight for the farmers and the fisherfolk. For along time, before Kibaki came to power, sugar framer went for years without being paid for their produce. Meanwhile, tones of sugar were being imported into the country compounding further the woes further. All this time, Agwambo never raised a finger or was he part of the cartel that was importing sugar. In the fish sector, it is ironical that people in Nyanza are contended with fish skeletons popularly known as mgongowazi due to high levels of poverty while hoping against hope that all will be well when Raila becomes president Never!
Some will argue that Raila is the MP for Kibera and is not responsible for the woes affecting the people of Nyanza. Nothing could be further from the truth. Raila is covertly and overtly at the centre of all the major political events taking place in the region including who becomes MP, if in doubt, just ask Raphael Tuju, the MP for Rarieda. However, this is not to say that Tuju should provide the much needed alternative centre of power, given that he cannot be come an MP if left to his own devices.
One would ask: what do you want Raila to do? Before I answer the question, I would say that Raila has remained the undisputed (mis)leader of the luo community for very long time. If he was wise and had the interest of the luo people, he would use this privileged position to help his people economically and not to pursue his own selfish political interests at the expense of his community. He should do this by using his influence among the luo as a political bargaining chip to force the government acquiesce to the urgent needs of his people in whatever way possible in return for political support. Politics for its own sake will not help the luo people.
At this point, I want to challenge Raila to tell the public any substantial contribution in terms of economic development that he has made to his community.
In conclusion, its time for the luo to take a hard look at themselves in the social-economic mirror and see the bruises and wounds in their faces caused by a leader whom they worship more than Nyasaye
I guess you are still celebrating Women’s day – And it’s 24th October 2007 over here..
Be good love.
[...] I found this great article. You can read rest of it here : here [...]
[...] I found this great article. You can read rest of it here : here [...]
[...] the face it, my focus for this year’s International Women’s Day, unlike the focus here, here and here may appear disordered and quite random when it actually [...]
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