Do music and politics mix?
At every election rally or meeting I cover for SudanVotes and South Sudan Radio I am finding a colourful contribution from musicians and performers as a formal part of the presentation. But what has music got to do with politics? Or is it just because music keeps people awake while they are listening to long boring speeches of the politicians? This is the question I will be investigating.
One thing I am noticing is that the same traditional dancers, like the Shiluk traditional dance group pictured below are present at lots of different political rallies, held by different parties. So it appears that the traditional dancing groups are considered as neutral to be used by every political party that organises and pays. The Nyepo-Tibidi dancing group, for example, have also danced for many political party rallies that I have been present at. The politics does not seem to matter.
Shiluk traditional dancers performing at Juba election rally
But when the SPLM-DC launched its campaign in Juba last weekend there was a dancing group wearing SPLM T-shirts appearing to attach themselves to a particular party. When I asked one member of Nyepo-Tibidi traditional dance group as to which party they supported, he told me they dance for every southern Sudan political party and wear all the T shirts. They added that they will keep their individual voting choices private on the historic occasion on April 11, 2010.
Musicians also seem to be following the same example. For example, South Sudan artist, Mary Boyoi was the one who entertained supporters of the SPLM-DC during the launch of their chairperson’s campaign in Juba. Mary sang for peace and made every body shake their bodies like the occasion was a big music concert that she is well known for hosting. But Mary is not a vocal supporter of SPLM-DC though there have been rumours that she was being asked to stand as a SPLM candidate due to her popularity.
Mary Boyoi performing at SPLM election rally
The popular South Sudan artist Gordon Kong’s music is also frequently used used for interlude and motivational music during political rallies across Juba. He sings for peace and appears to be able to keep a politically netural position.
And from watching political campaigns across the world, like the campaign of the African President Obama, he always used music, such as that of Bruce Springsteen to welcome and entertain his supporters.
But my concern is that the music, while entertaining, is also confusing the people in their decision making and if they like the song or the dance then they think they will like the politician too, without really knowing what his or her policies are.
it is the political leaders themselves that should maintain this spirit for the betterment of Southern Sudan and not the superficial shakes or jingles of our wonderful musicians and dancers.
THE SUDAN VOTES MUSIC HOPES ALBUM COVER RELEASED ACROSS SUDAN AND ONLINE AT
'CPA' by SudanVotes MusicHopes Juba artist CIMALBEN shows the connection often made between music and politics.
