Ubuntu

from Badinyaa Kumoo by Sona Jobarteh

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about

The term ‘Ubuntu’ (Mooya in Mandinka) refers to a shared African concept which encompasses defining aspects of humanity such as compassion/unity/ community. In this song I call into question the fact that compassion, empathy and humanity towards others is distorted by international media and the dominant global narrative through a process of dehumanisation. Many are de-sensitised to the lives of others by repeatedly being exposed to images of people stereotyped as those who suffer from war; those who suffer from poverty; those who are branded as ‘terrorists’. I assert that the onlookers carry a responsibility of compassion and humanity towards all people, because we are one.
I use the Zulu language in this song to pay homage to the Zulu warriors who were amongst our African heroes who fought to defend their land against invasion from Europeans.

An important aspect of humanity is the ability to work together to protect your land, your people and to stand up for human rights, however this aspect of humanity has been consistently distorted in relation to Africans. This homage to Zulus highlights the problem of the subconscious and internalised narrative that historically labels all Africans who fought for their land, freedom and human rights as 'violent', ‘threatening’, ‘barbaric’, ‘primitive’ 'terrorists'. We therefore need to re-assess who we as Africans consider to be ‘heros’, and who are in fact ‘terrorists’. We need to think carefully how both the historical and current narratives need to re-written from the perspective of the African in order to memorialise our pioneers, role models and freedom fighters in the rightful way. Singing in the Zulu language, which is foreign to me, was important to make a statement at the need for us to value and be proud of the rich diversity of languages we have within the continent. Instead of defaulting to colonial foreign languages without any question, let us learn to explore and celebrate our own.

lyrics

A mother mourns
Her child gone
A life lost
A father cries
His life torn apart in a flash
These lives
Are real
Like you and me
The pain, the love and the loss
It hits us the same way
In Africa, traditions say
We are one
Protect our humanity
Don’t learn to fight,
Fight to love

Be careful
This world can destroy your human spirit
Built on greed, selfishness and blood money
From a young age
They teach us to defeat one another instead of support each other
Just one touch
One word,
One smile
Can save someone
Hear me,
Im calling on the spirit inside all of us
Our greatest gift is to see others as we see ourself

credits

from Badinyaa Kumoo, track released September 23, 2022
Composed by Sona Jobarteh and Eric Appapoulay. Produced by Sona Jobarteh
Lead Vocals / Rhythm Guitar / Kora / Calabash / Bass / Percussion: Sona Jobarteh
Backing vocal arrangements: Sona Jobarteh
Acoustic Guitar: Eric Appapoulay
Male Backing Vocals: Risenga Makondo, Luyanda Jezile, Roger White and Eric Appapoulay
Zulu Lyrics: Eugene Skeef
Mixed by Femi Temowo
Mastered by Chris Pavey

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Sona Jobarteh London, UK

sonajobarteh.com

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