Music is all around us—it’s on commercials, in our phones
and iPods, being played by street performers, or sang out loud by that guy on
the bus (you know the one I mean). But what if music wasn’t allowed? What may
seem impossible for some of us to imagine is a reality for the people of
northern Mali, where
music has now been banned for nearly nine months.
Islamic militants in the area banned all music, sending
death threats to musicians, shutting down venues, and burning equipment and
instruments. Many artists went into exile, fearing for their lives. Many more
are still trying to flee.
Why? No one seems to know, exactly. It could simply be a
cruel act of hate, intending simply to put fear in the hearts of residents. It
could be an attempt at crippling a primary Malian export. It could be the work
of religious zealots who believe music distracts from devotion.
The country of Mali has in the past produced internationally
renowned artists like Alie Farka, Rokia Traoré, and Salif Keita.
Music is built
into tradition and ritual there, too. Music here in the U.S. is often used
simply for entertainment—but in Mali music is much more meaningful as a whole.
Births, deaths, and weddings are all accompanied by singing
griots (musicians). Music has also, through the years, functioned as a vital
part of oral history. Without music, many of those stories—traditions, family
histories—could be lost forever. Not to mention that Mali has the lowest
literacy rate in the world. With only 26.2% of people able to read and write,
oral tradition becomes even more vital.
No comments:
Post a Comment