Baaba Maal Thrills Toronto Audience
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Not Seen Yaradua Nigerian Acting President Goodluck Jonathan says he hasn’t seen or spo- ken to ill-president Umaru Yaradua since he returned from a sick bed in Saudi Arabia. Indeed no one has seen Yaradua in public. Jonathan, who recently was in the US on President Obama’s invitation to the nuclear summit, said the last time they spoke was days after his admission to hospi- Website: www.centum.ca/emelikeukpabi tal in Saudi Arabi, November 26. 5/1/10 Gaddafi: Confused or mad? Fallout from the Libyan leader’s comment that Nigeria should split along ethnic lines Senegal‟s Baaba Maal thrills Toronto audience By Anya Wassenburg in Toronto "I think it's a subject we should (take Special to the African World on) as African musicians," he says. Baaba Maal is on tour in the "Western music is just about business." U.S. till June. But he was recently in He notes that griots were far more than Toronto to kick-off his North American entertainers. "Centuries ago, this was tour at the Royal Conservatory in front the role of the griots, not only to tell of a huge audience. stories, but to advise the leaders." I caught up with internation- Leaders used thir songs to mobilize ally acclaimed musician and singer after the high energy show here on April 6. Baaba Maal is a musical superstar in his native Senegal, striking international fame about twenty years ago with his fu- sions of West African traditions and global influences, and the soaring vocals that rise above it all. Baaba is a Fulani and sings mainly in his na- tive Pulaar, with the odd piece in French. Over the decades, he's been something of a stylistic chameleon, exploring various musi- cal influences from other cultures (notably on Television, his 2009 CD collaboration with NYC based electronica group Brazilian Girls) as do so many others in adopting African rhythms and styles. The mantle of star isn't one he wears lightly, BY PETER UDUEHI however. Baaba is a Nigeria has recalled its ambassa- the same region. griot, part of a West dor to Tripoli following utterances by Gaddafi first said that Nigeria African tradition of Libyan leader Muamar Gaddafi that Nige- should be balkanized into two along reli- musicians/singers/ ria should be disintegrated like the former gious lines with the predominantly more storytellers that goes Baaba Maal: Modern-day Griot Yugoslavia along ethnic lines. Muslim north and more Christian south back centuries to the Gaddafi, self-proclaimed prince of parting. Then he changed his suggestion days of the Mandé Em- world revolutionaries and always the that it should be along ethnic lines though pire. Interestingly, Baaba was not born support for projects or ideas - much the quintessential protector of human rights he misinformed the geographical repre- into the griot caste, as is the tradition. way North Americans use media, a fact for all people except his own, further had sentation of the Ibos and Yorubas as com- He was actually born to a fisherman's that makes his role that much poignant his government representative summoned ing from the west and east respectively. family, but was educated in music from back at home. Baaba talks about the up recently in Abuja for explanations. Ni- His ignorance on the geography an early age by close friend Mansour significant factors that affect access to gerian leaders are peeved at the Libyan of Africa’s most populous nation as well as Seck, a blind griot who still sings the information in much of Africa, including leader’s comment which came on the heels the share gumption to make such a sug- backing vocals in his band today. To the disruptions of war, language differ- of the recent murders of hundreds of peo- gestion received aspersions from many Baaba a griot is someone with a role and ences, and lack of education. "But they ple in Jos, Plateau state by Muslim terror- Nigerian leaders. Senate president David a responsibility, and in respect to Afri- are very close to their culture," he notes ists who hacked their Christian victims to Mark called him a “mad man” while can culture, a vital one. A socially con- - making music a natural bridge to the death in their sleep. The Muslims say they Continued On Page 2 sious political message is part of that otherwise unreachable. were simply retaliating for the killing of role. Continued On P. 2 their flock by Christians months earlier in Nigerians in their homeland. town in Senegal." There he becomes a African Worl 5/1/10 p 2 Gaddafi "It is very inciting and dan- conduit to the larger world. "People Continued From Page 1 gerous to the corporate existence of want to know my opinion because I Nigeria. We should condemn his travel," he says, reporting a drop in at- port in the capital Libreville to a a foreign ministry statement said (Ghaddafi) utterances and forge mosphere of family, friends and neighbors. standstill and could lead to signifi- "His theatrics and grandstanding at ahead as one indivisible nation in line Musicians, as he points out, have a kind cant cuts in oil production. every auspicious occasion have be- with the vision of our founding fa- of authority with people long ago for- The unions are unhappy at labour come too numerous to recount." thers. We must see our differences as feited by the political class. "People will regulations and want restrictions on judge you by your words," he says. "We the use of foreign workers. prefer to listen to the artists," he laughs. Shady politicians - it's an element that Gabon is one of Africa's main oil pro- cuts across all the world's cultures. ducers but is trying to diversify away He sees the committment to a socially from oil as revenues from it fall. conscious message as lifelong. "I don't There have been reports of shortages see any way to run away from that." It at petrol stations and people stock- doesn't extend to any political aspira- piling fuel. tions beyond that, however. "I'm an art- "The strike will be tough and could ist," he says. "If something is wrong, I be long," said Onep union Secretary will make a song," he pauses, "and if it's General Guy Roger Aurat Reteno, something good, I will make a song reports the AFP news agency. about that too." "The consequences will be hard and disagreeable, but we are pushed into situations that are deplorable for everybody." An Onep spokesperson told AFP the Gaddafi and other African leaders in good times. African traditional rulres had strike would effect all sectors using at one occasion crowned him the “King of all Kings”. Some believe he bribed his Shortage way into their hearts and utterances. fuel, including the national energy and water company, but not hospi- Many senators say it is something that should propel us to ensues as tals and the security services. ironic that Gaddafi, who until re- move ahead and continue to live in Onep's main grievance is that too cently as chairman of the African peace with our neighbours," Agoda many oil jobs are going to Africans Union proposed that the continent said. Gabon oil from other countries and Western- should be united into a “United ers. States of Africa”, is now calling for strike begins The government had offered to es- the disunion of one of its parts. T h e Baaba Maal Gabon's main oil workers' tablish temporary restrictions on chairman of the House Committee on foreigners working in the oil indus- Continued From Page 1 union has begun a strike which is Airforce John Halims Agoda, who try if talks were resumed, but Onep He sprinkles his socially conscious mes- seen as a big test for new President sponsored a motion on the Libyan sage between the music in his concerts, Ali Ben Bongo. rejected the offer. issue said Ghaddafi's comments de- about music as a way to bring people The strike has brought public trans- Gabon's previous President Omar served to be condemned. He said that together, and about things like equality Bongo amassed a vast fortune during it is ironical and unfortunate that and an increased role in society for Af- his 41 years in office and was accused Ghaddafi has remained controversial rica's women, (this to the crowd's delight of embezzling oil revenues. on African and global politics and his at the Toronto show.) "We need these His son succeeded him in September call for the disintegration of Nigeria people for the future of the African con- 2009 after polls which opponents say must not be taken lightly. tinent," he insists. were fixed. "We urge the Federal Gov- It's a role he took on in a different con- The election was followed by violent ernment to liaise with the United text in December 2009, when he at- tended the Climate Change Summit in street protests by opposition activ- Nations Security Council to as a Copenhagen as the climate change am- ists. matter of utmost urgency order the bassador for the Africa Talks Climate Libyan Leader, Colonel Muammar initiative. Africa Talks is a research and Ghaddafi, to stop forthwith his call communications drive that looks at the Up to the second! for the break up of Nigeria along views of Africans on climate change. In religious divide in order to end the Copenhagen, he introduced a global recurring crisis in the country. panel discussion with young people from "We also call on the Federal around the world, among other things, African teams as Government to request the African urging climate justice for the world's Union (AU) to order an independent poorest countries who will bear the bur- den of climate change they largely didn't investigation into the motivation of they perform at create.