Today's Set List!

Music as Emancipation and Protest Performance Program

Introduction: African Drum Improvisation

 Song: By the Rivers of Africa

Taste of­ Freedom (Poem from The Gift of Peace)

Song: A Change is Gonna Come  - Bill

Song: Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning - Suzi

The Manual of Instruction for Genocide  (Poem from The Gift of Peace)

Song: Maraikana isiZulu- Sonkanise – Drummers, Bill, Suzi

Edouard (Testimony from Rwanda)

Song: Mapambano         kiSwahili from Kenya – Peter, Drummers and Suzi

Vijana Musialale means that youth should not give up, withdraw or back down because the struggle for a better community and life is still on.  They should resist oppression and injustice and fight on.  The song has been used many times by many social groups struggling for their rights.  The word “vijana” is interchanged by “Wazee” (elderly), “Kinamama” (Mothers), “Wasichana”(girls), “Wavulana” (boys), “Wananchi” (citizens), and so on.

Song: Mwafanazala/Rero Zaramo from Kenya and Tanzania -  Peter, Sonkanise, Suzi

English translation:“You cannot dance if you did not eat”…a song about workers not paid; and taxed but not provided service.

Bahatizz Sisters  (Testimony from DRCongo)

Song: What’s Going On – Bill, Suzi, Sonkanise

Song: Gjia  Ndeble

composed by guitarist Nothembi Mkhwebane

Sonkanise, Peter, Suzi, Bill

English translation: “The black government, people who are ruling and traditional leaders.  Our land will come back, and cows, and farms.” The song reminds us that artists and participation in political conversations are crucial. 

Song: Wake Up Everybody – Bill, backing vocals all

How the Change Came (Poem from The Gift of Peace)

Song: Solidarity Forever  - Suzi, all

We, having struggled with the fear and realities of violent death, unjust circumstances and painful separation, commit to each other.  Solidarity to our union of community, whose members sing, dance, drum and share our stories as we strengthen and change our world.