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Voice of Peace
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Ottawa Sun, Voice of Peace >>
"This is not a political party," the man born Barcelo de Carvalho asserts. "I am a musician. I only wish I could do more."
The Angolan singer and percussionist responsible for popularizing semba music is too modest.
Bonga Kwenda, as he has called himself since being forced into exile over 30 years ago, has through his music, words and actions done far more for the people of his native land than any politician.
When Bonga left Angola, the nation was still under Portuguese rule. Independence led to a lengthy civil war that ended less than two years ago. Today, political manoeuvring is threatening food aid to perhaps 2 million malnourished Angolans.
Through it all, Bonga has raised his voice to promote peace and to cast a wary global eye on the plight of the Angolan people.
'THE PRIORITY IS FOOD'
"The priority," a placid Bonga reminds us, "is not songs. The priority is food for the people."
Bonga has been working for the people since his teens, when, as an internationally known athlete, he was able to bring messages to exiled freedom fighters in Europe.
When Angola's authorities became suspicious, Bonga settled in the Netherlands, where he set his message to music. An extraordinary debut album, Angola 72, matched joyous semba and sultry Cape Verde rhythms to powerful cries for freedom. (And yes, semba is similar in form and appeal to Brazilian samba.)
Subsequent releases have condemned violence in his homeland.
This Saturday, Bonga will bring words of wisdom and a four-piece band to Ottawa.
The message he brings is simple: "Why fight? Fighting is never good for the people. The only solution is for African people to be good."
03/31/04
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