Speakers, musical groups highlight African heritage
by Lauren Crider, nw news editor

    Boitumelo, an African folk music group, will interpret the plight of the black South African people and demonstrate their culture to TCC students this month.

   The group will perform Tuesday, Feb. 12, at 11:15 a.m. in B-118 on NW Campus and Wednesday, Feb. 18, at 12:30 p.m. in the Student Center’s Center Corner on NE Campus.

   Rochelle Rabouin, executive producer and lead artist, said the show would feature songs from Zulu and Xhosa tribes and French, Indian and Portuguese pieces.

   The harmony of African music and instrumental styling is celebrated in the show, but the message of the music will be emphasized, Rabouin said.

   “Harmony is a very important factor in African music,” she said.

   Rabouin said the importance of harmony relates to the message of unification to achieve harmony in music and especially life.

   “Music kept the black South Africans from going crazy,” she said.

   Rabouin said she was influenced not only by her father, who is a classical musician, but also by the artistry of musician Miriam Makeba.

   Makeba’s music and message also will be represented in the show.

   This style of music has been dubbed as functional folk songs, Rabouin said, because it not only entertains, but also teaches, warns or tells of events in the history of South Africa.

   After studying music, Makeba performed what was called “Afro-soul” in South Africa.

   South Africa’s history is riddled with horrific stories of oppression of blacks, Rabouin said. Makeba’s music holds subtle messages heralding the end of mistreatment.

   Nelson Mandela even secretly commissioned her to spread the news of what was happening in South Africa before his imprisonment.

   Makeba was also one of the first to speak to the United Nations concerning the events in Africa.

   “She is one of few folk artists who used their gift to make a difference, and it did,” she said.

   “All of her songs were message songs, but they’re all fun to listen to,” she said.

   Rabouin emphasizes that Makeba’s mission was to “let the world know what was going on in South Africa because of apartheid.”

   Makeba’s style is unique even for this kind of music, Rabouin said. She incorporates many of the cultures that make up South    Africa’s diverse population.

   In some songs, Makeba uses the language of the Xhosa tribe, one of few languages where clicking sounds are an integral part of the speech. Makeba is one of the first to incorporate this kind of vocal percussion in her music. She even imitates oxen working in a field and the sound of a flicking whip.

   These elements will be reflected in Boitumelo’s performance.
Rabouin said she would periodically explain aspects of the show.

   She wants, above all, to get the message across.

   “I used to be focused on me, me, me, but now my whole mission is different,” she said. “It’s a gift that was given to me.”

   One song, Pole Mze, meaning sorry, sir, carries a lesson as well as a deep message, Rabouin said, for it teaches the importance of apologizing.

   “More importantly, it apologizes to all those who went first in the fight in South Africa. It expresses an apology for the struggle from those who entered into it too late to help,” she said.  

   Rabouin noted how amazing it is that a country is still struggling with what South Africa is.

   Skeptics of the message should remember that not 40 years ago the United States struggled with problems that parallel those of South Africa. Now as we wage war on terrorism, it is also important to remember our history and the history of others, Rabouin said.