SOLIDARITY
13-05-2020 by Freddie del Curatolo
The Mijikenda is a small tribe, especially when compared to the large African ethnic groups, but those who have moved to Italy and other countries in the world feel the call of their roots and often hold fast to the teachings of ancient traditions handed down by their people.
So in these times of emergencies, which from the pandemic in Africa become real humanitarian alarms, the association "Nafumanyane" that brings together the Mijikenda abroad (which includes nine subgroups, including the giriama) has organized a collection of food, through donations that converge from various countries and with the help in Kilifi County of a group of musicians and cultural activists gathered by the singer and promoter Katoi Wa Tabaka under the name "AfroGunda Band".
An operation of immense solidarity, from those who certainly are not doing very well in Europe and the United States to those who are suffering extreme conditions in their homeland. Especially the elderly, authentic "living books" of this ethnic group. Nine hundred sacks of flour have already been collected and the first deliveries have taken place in the headquarters of the Malindi District Cultural Association not far from the Sabaki River, which in these days risks flooding for the umpteenth time.
"I have put together the best musicians of the Coast - explains Katoi - our goal is to distribute food from Malindi to Diani for the Mijikenda community and at the same time raise awareness among our fellow countrymen through music, writing songs about the pandemic, but also about justice, to avoid police harassment and invite everyone to collaborate to overcome this enemy that brings poverty and other causes of disease here.
The poetic and civil lyrics of "Haki iwe ngao", AfroGunda's first single from this point of view is significant: an invitation to rediscover unity and a sense of homeland at the time of Covid-19 and not to return to feuds between those who represent and hold power and the citizen who is afraid and rebels.
The artists who have joined the initiative of Katoi Wa Tabaka and the Mijikenda abroad are Pday Hurricane, Alkenia, Chapatizo, Ohms Law Montana, Victoria Saher, Malkia Maliha, Victor K, Stanley Komora, Bemru, Abber PG and Kitole Kenda. Together, like Kilifi All Stars, some of them also produced a video and sang an awareness song about Coronavirus.
If you would like to help the Mijikenda with a donation, please send your contribution to 0718810325, waiting for an official Mpesa Paybill.
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