About Africa Realities Media
[RwandaLibre] Radio: Music's potent role in the incitement of violence in Rwanda
Radio: Music's potent role in the incitement of violence in Rwanda
Kathryn Thomas is a vivid if surprising guide through the country's
rich musical heritage and brutal recent history

Rwandese refugees cross Rusumo border to Tanzania from Rwanda in May,
1994. Phorograph: REUTERS/Jeremiah Kamau/Files
Sat, Apr 26, 2014, 01:00
First published:
Sat, Apr 26, 2014, 01:00
Since Shakespeare wrote about it being the food of love, the idea of
music as a positive force has been embedded in our psyches. In common
with other art forms, it is almost unquestioningly seen as a good
thing, what with its charms to soothe a savage breast and all that.
Anyone subscribing to these notions might check out Music Passport:
Journey Through Genocide in Rwanda (RTÉ Radio 1, Monday), a
documentary that, in its chilling account of the role music played in
the carnage that befell the country in 1994, comprehensively debunks
such cherished assumptions.
That the person busting these myths should be Kathryn Thomas is an
even bigger jolt. Best known as an unobjectionably upbeat travel
presenter and gameshow host, Thomas is not the most obvious guide
through Rwanda's bloody recent history. Nor is her introduction
especially promising, as she talks about the power of music as
discussed by "philosophers, musicians and world leaders", from Nelson
Mandela to, ahem, Maria von Trapp. "We know it here in Ireland," she
says, "and in Rwanda, music has made that same journey, from politics
to hate to love and out the other side."
But such flourishes of fortune-cookie wisdom are thankfully rare, with
Thomas providing a vivid overview of Rwanda's musical heritage while
negotiating its traumatic past. Interviews with local musicians (and
the odd Irish musicologist) highlight the importance of music in
Rwandan life, but the story takes a darker turn. The genocidal
impulses that led to Hutu militias slaughtering the Tutsi minority
(and moderate Hutus) were fuelled by songs suffused with prejudice,
with the singer Simon Bikindi among the chief culprits.
Described by Thomas as "the Michael Jackson of Rwanda", Bikindi may be
a loathsome character – he was jailed in 2008 after an international
court found his music had an "amplifying" effect on the killing – but
his gifts were formidable. "I know he killed many people," the
musician JP Samputo dolefully says, "but that does not mean he was not
an amazing artist and singer." The brutal consequences of Bikindi's
work are made clear by Chantal, who recounts the fearful lead-up to a
massacre in which 3,000 people died but which she survived.
It is not all so grim. A more hopeful tone prevails in present-day
Rwanda, though, tellingly, many of the upbeat statements come from
returning expatriates such as the singer Mighty Popo. Throughout all
this Thomas refrains from expressing controversial opinions – "I feel
you have to be very careful not to mention Hutu or Tutsi," she notes –
preferring, perhaps understandably, to accentuate the positive.
"Rwanda's hope is for peace," she says at the end of her highly
creditable documentary, "and the artist's role is to refuel the
imagination." And, she might have added, to ensure that music does not
play such an insidious role again.
A much more inclusive and open vision of music is found in the work of
Andy Irvine, who talks to Peter Browne on The Rolling Wave (RTÉ Radio
1, Sunday) about the huge influence of different folk traditions on
his long career. It has been as much a physical journey as a musical
one. Irvine, who says he has "always enjoyed trying to live a hard
life", describes the road trip across Australia to record his new
album, Parachilna , as well as older travels through the Balkans and
Hungary.
The fruits of this are heard in his music – Australian ballads,
Bulgarian airs – but while Irvine describes himself as a "silly old
romantic male", he is refreshingly unsentimental about the peripatetic
life that has brought so much inspiration. He still enjoys going on
the road, but "it comes into contention with my desire to be at home,
so I'm looking for someone to clone me."
As this absorbing interview testifies, it would be hard to replicate
such an original figure.
The novelist Emma Donoghue turns up to talk about the music that has
provided her personal soundtrack in Songs in the Key of Life (TXFM,
Saturday). Presented by Nadine O'Regan on the newly rebranded
incarnation of the Dublin indie station Phantom FM, the show may not
feature the most startling choice of music, with U2 and Nelly Furtado
featuring, but it is illuminated by Donoghue's attractive and
deceptively breezy presence.
The Dublin-raised, Canada-based author's sexuality features
prominently, despite some mild dissent: "In Ireland I always have to
talk about being a lesbian, and in Canada I get to just forget about
it," she wryly notes. But she says that realising she was gay in her
teens made her feel different, and "given that fiction is about people
who are different, it really did set me on my path to being a writer".
And as she discovered her sexuality in "scary" 1980s Ireland, music
played a vital role in her life. "The first time I had the sense it
was possible to live a life which was different, sexually speaking,
was all through pop music," Donoghue says, citing David Bowie and
Freddie Mercury as exemplars of "this life outside". Sometimes only
music can hit the right note.
radioreview@irishtimes.com
http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/media/radio-music-s-potent-role-in-the-incitement-of-violence-in-rwanda-1.1774102
Rwanda Latest news
NEW in the last 5 minutes
Radio: Music's potent role in the incitement of violence in Rwanda
The Irish Times - Culture 01:00
In the last 4 hours
Le Rwanda, sa mémoire et notre mémoire
Le Huffington Post - International 22:23 25-Apr-14
In the last 6 hours
Former Ghana coach Dujkovic set for Rwanda return
AfrikanSoccer 20:40 25-Apr-14
In the last 8 hours
Ex Ghana coach Ratomir Dujkovic linked to Rwanda return
Ghanasoccernet.com 18:58 25-Apr-14
Yesterday
Dujkovic on shortlist for Rwanda job
BBC 16:23 25-Apr-14
Rwanda: The Peace That Was Not - Rwanda 20 Years After the Genocide
AllAfrica 15:03 25-Apr-14
Reconciliation after Rwanda's genocide
Merced Sun-Star, California - Opinion 13:17 25-Apr-14
Rwanda Forecasts Economy to Expand 6% This Year as Aid Resumes
Bloomberg - Regions 13:09 25-Apr-14
Rwanda to host 2014 Cecafa Club Championship
DNA India 11:44 25-Apr-14
Kagame Cup Set for Rwanda
AllAfrica - Soccer 05:46 25-Apr-14
Have they healed yet? Western dreams about Rwanda
openDemocracy 03:31 25-Apr-14
Airtel Rising Stars Football Clinic Kicks off in Rwanda
ThisDay Live - Sport 02:17 25-Apr-14
Belgium gives Rwanda 18 mln euros for public health
Shanghai Daily 01:28 25-Apr-14
Top stories
Have they healed yet? Western dreams about Rwanda
openDemocracy 03:31 25-Apr-14
Kagame Cup Set for Rwanda
AllAfrica 05:46 25-Apr-14
Belgium gives Rwanda 18 mln euros for public health
Shanghai Daily 01:28 25-Apr-14
Rwanda Forecasts Economy to Expand 6% This Year as Aid Resumes
Bloomberg 13:09 25-Apr-14
Liverpool remembers the victims of the Rwandan Genocide
Bay TV Liverpool 11:46 25-Apr-14
CEPGL Seeks to Fast-Track Production of 147mw At Rusizi III Hydro Project
AllAfrica 06:23 25-Apr-14
In the last 10 minutes
Radio: Music's potent role in the incitement of violence in Rwanda
The Irish Times - Culture 01:00
In the last 2 hours
South Sudan: Statement by Kenyan President Kenyatta, Chairman of the
East African Community and Rapporteur...
AllAfrica 23:37 25-Apr-14
Another dissident down
The Washington Post - Opinions 23:30 25-Apr-14
In the last 6 hours
Former Ghana coach Dujkovic set for Rwanda return
AfrikanSoccer 20:40 25-Apr-14
6 Airtel Rising
Times of Zambia - Sport 20:34 25-Apr-14
Liverpool Remembers Rwandan Genocide on its 20th Anniversary
Bay TV Liverpool 20:10 25-Apr-14
How I Used My Computer-Science Degree in the Peace Corps While
Serving in Rural Africa
National Journal - Tech 19:52 25-Apr-14
In the last 8 hours
Ex Ghana coach Ratomir Dujkovic linked to Rwanda return
Ghanasoccernet.com 18:58 25-Apr-14
Stanford should push Kagame on human rights
The Stanford Daily - Opinions 08:30 25-Apr-14
Kagame Cup Set for Rwanda
AllAfrica - Soccer 05:46 25-Apr-14
In the last 7 days
Rwanda: Kagame Hints at 2017 Election Run
AllAfrica 20:48 24-Apr-14
MBANDA: Kagame strongly supports press freedom
Daily Nation - Opinion 18:47 23-Apr-14
Paul Kagame hints at seeking third term as Rwandan president
The Guardian - Guardian Weekly 16:08 23-Apr-14
Kagame won't rule out third term
IOL - Africa 15:56 23-Apr-14
Kagame: Lessons learned from genocide
News24 - Africa 11:31 23-Apr-14
--
SIBOMANA Jean Bosco
Google+: https://plus.google.com/110493390983174363421/posts
YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9B4024D0AE764F3D
http://www.youtube.com/user/sibomanaxyz999
***Online Time:15H30-20H30, heure de Montréal.***Fuseau horaire
domestique: heure normale de la côte Est des Etats-Unis et Canada
(GMT-05:00)***
__._,_.___
.
__,_._,___
Support Our Work Now !
Africa Realities Media is independent. Your support helps us expose injustice, challenge silence and produce evidence-based analysis on Africa and the Great Lakes Region.
Africa Realities Media offre un espace aux écrivains, chercheurs, experts, activistes, voix communautaires, militants, analystes et personnes ayant une expérience vécue qui souhaitent contribuer à des contenus réfléchis, responsables et courageux sur les changements nécessaires dans la région des Grands Lacs, ainsi que sur les réalités politiques, économiques, culturelles et sociales africaines souvent ignorées, minimisées ou mal représentées.
Nos articles et vidéos visent à ouvrir le débat, renforcer la sensibilisation, encourager la pensée critique et favoriser une réflexion plus profonde sur les réalités vécues par les populations africaines. Nous voulons aider les peuples de la région des Grands Lacs à mieux comprendre leurs droits, notamment leurs droits humains, leur droit au développement, leur droit à la dignité, à la sécurité, au bien-être et à une vie meilleure.
À travers nos contenus, nous cherchons également à rappeler aux décideurs, aux institutions publiques, aux acteurs régionaux et internationaux, ainsi qu’aux responsables politiques, leur devoir de transparence, de responsabilité et de redevabilité envers les populations qu’ils prétendent servir. Notre objectif est de contribuer à une culture de vérité, de justice, de participation citoyenne et de protection égale pour tous les peuples africains.
Why We Exist
Many abuses facing African people are committed by African states, ruling elites, armed groups, military forces and security services. But these abuses are often sustained by international silence, Western lobbying, trade interests, migration deals, mineral access, diplomatic partnerships and unequal global accountability.
Africa Realities Media exposes that system.
Lived Experience Matters
Survivors, displaced communities, refugees, families affected by repression, journalists, activists, women, young people and diaspora voices are not passive subjects. They are knowledge holders.
Their experiences must shape policy, advocacy, journalism and public debate. The people closest to injustice are often closest to the solutions.
Our Principle
Africa Realities Media is rooted in one principle: African lives deserve equal truth, equal justice and equal protection.
Popular Posts
A votre aimable attention s'il vous plait, Cher(e) lauréat(e), veuillez prendre connaissance de la pièce jointe et automatiquement entrer en contact avec Maître Bakary TOGORA dont les informations sont les suivantes : Vous avez gagné 250.000€ suite à un tirage au sort. CABINET JURIDIQUE MAITRE BAKARY TOGORA. Adresse Mail: cabinet_consultant.togorab@hotmail.fr Contact Téléphonique: (+22) 546 077 726. Adresse Permanente : 20 Avenue du Général De Gaulle, Plateau Rue du Commerce, Immeuble le petit Bassam, Abidjan. Numéro de la fondation : +1 347 434 5496 LA DIRECTION DES OPERATIONS. __._,_.___ Répondre en mode Web Répondre à expéditeur ...
Share 64 3 Share 3 1 Tweet 64 Women mostly in South and Central Africa, and Indonesia are carrying out a horrific practice known as ‘ Dry Sex’ which not only leaves them in pain but at increased risk of HIV. Dailymail Report Dry sex is a practice where women reduce moisture in their vaginas in order to make intercourse more pleasurable for men. This according to reports can lead to cuts, sores and inflammation in the vagina, and increases the chance of a condom breaking. These factors in turn increase the chance of the women contracting sexually transmitted diseases including HIV. It is borne out of a cultural belief that men find sex more pleasurable if a woman’s vagina is dry, and that men will reject women whose vaginas have been ‘stretched out’ by sex. To achieve dryness, women insert, chalk, sand, pulverized rock, herbs, paper or sponges before sex, according to journalist Ms Syfret, who has reported o...
http://www.inyenyerinews.org/amakuru-2/the-paul-kagame-doctrine-after-20-years/ African leaders have just concluded a mini summit in Luanda, Angola, to discuss the conflict in DRC and the diplomatic showdown between South Africa and Rwanda. It is reported, as usual, that a "Luanda Declaration" was signed, and President Zuma and President Kagame "agreed" to talk to "resolve" the impasse between their two countries. The latest quarrel between South Africa and Rwanda is due to the assassination of Colonel Patrick Karegeya in South Africa on 31/12/2013 and another attempted assassination on General Kayumba Nyamwasa a couple of weeks ago. Is this new ground for hope, or it is the usual diplomatic hype, postponing the problem to a later date? This writer firmly believes it is the latter. A good foreign policy champions, defends and protects a country's ( read people's) national interests. It seeks friends and...
http://glpost.com/rwanda-leader-paul-kagame-gets-jewish-embrace-human-rights/ Great Lakes Post Website: http://www.glpost.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greatlakespost Twitter: Great Lakes Post@greatlakespost __._,_.___ Reply via web post Reply to sender Reply to group Start a New Topic Messages in this topic (1) ---------------------------------------------------------- The Voice of the Poor, the Weak and Powerless. More News: http://changingaf...
----- Forwarded Message ----- From: MUSABYIMANA JEAN DE DIEU <musajados@yahoo.fr> To: Democracy Human grpe <Democracy_Human_Rights@yahoogroupes.fr>; cliir Antoine <cliir2004@yahoo.fr>; CORWABEL ASBL <corwabel@gmail.com>; leprophete umuhanuzi <lepropheteu@yahoo.com>; ijwiryarubanda ijwiryarubanda <ijwiryarubanda@ijwiryarubanda.com> Sent: Monday, 31 March 2014, 11:34 Subject: *DHR* pétition à l' Union Européenne contre l'arrivée du criminel kagame Soutenez les étudiants en signant contre l'arrivée du plus grand criminel de l'histoire de l'humanité à Bruxelles. signer ici svp!: https://secure.avaaz.org/fr/petition/LUnion_Europeenne_Conseil_de_securite_de_lONU_Contre_la_visite_du_Hitler_Paul_Kagame_le_criminel_a_la_tete_du_Rwanda/edit L'Union Européenne. Conseil de sécurité de l'ONU: Contre la visite du Hitler...
Nyirubwite "Maître" Evode Uwizeyimana yarabyivugiye ko kontaro ye izamara amezi atandatu. Ubwo iyo comisiyo nayo izamara amezi atandatu. Ngira ngo kandi mwiboneye igisubizo cya Barreau ya Québec yemeza ko "Maître" Evode Uwizeyimana atigeze aba avocat muri Kanada! Ahasigaye ababishoye mwatwohereza cya gisigo cya "Maître Corbeau Et Le Renard". -- SIBOMANA Jean Bosco Google+: https://plus.google.com/110493390983174363421/posts YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9B4024D0AE764F3D http://www.youtube.com/user/sibomanaxyz999 ***Online Time:15H30-20H30, heure de Montréal.***Fuseau horaire domestique: heure normale de la côte Est des Etats-Unis et Canada (GMT-05:00)*** __._,_.___ Reply via web post ...
Komera Agnes. Kiriya kiganiro cyahise kuri Radio Flash FM naracyumvise ariko nasanze nta gishya kiri mo, ari propagande isanzwe ya FPR igamije gushyushya imitwe y'abantu ngo bareke gutekereza ku bikorwa bindi bishobora kuzahura uRwanda muri rusange. Njye yaba Jannette yaba Habumuremyi ndetse n'undi wese uzava muri RPF simpamya ko azatsinda amatora yo muri 2017. Nemeranya n'iyi Raporo ya AFRICOM k' uRda yo muri 2011 aho ivuga ko RPF yamaze urwayo, ko rero yagombye kujya ku ruhande, ikareka n'abandi bakayobora. Pour votre info: Excerpts from: Rwanda : assessing risks to stability By Jennifer G. Cooke Center for Strategic & International Studies Washington, DC June 2011 ( http://csis.org/files/publication/110623_Cooke_Rwanda_Web.pdf ) ======================================= "The elections in 2017 could be a moment for a significant pol...
Mme Vidal La première caractéristique d'un blanc menteur c'est de faire comme si la tragédie rwandaise avait commencé le 6 Avril 1994, et de chercher les preuves là où elles ne sont pas, c'est-à-dire au détour de petites phrases prononcées par des personnes qui ne maîtrisent pas la langue, qui étaient enflammées ou qui sont malmenées par leurs interrogateurs. Quand vous parlez de planification du génocide, vous oubliez ceux à qui il a profité et qui avant tout le monde ont commis des exactions contre la population civile. La rancœur accumulée par les hutus contre les tutsis a été notamment été favorisée par le nettoyage ethnique opéré par le FPR dans les régions de Byumba et Ruhengeri, ce qui a eu pour résultat, un million de réfugiés entassés aux portes de Kigali. Parler du génocide et omettre de parler de cette situation est un mensonge par omission. Disons comme vous l'affirmez que l'attentat n'a...
----- Forwarded Message ----- From: Theobald Gakwaya <tgakwaya@yahoo.com> To: "Democracy_Human_Rights@yahoogroupes.fr" <Democracy_Human_Rights@yahoogroupes.fr> Sent: Friday, 28 March 2014, 19:31 Subject: Re: *DHR* RADIO IMPALA. Abatekereje gushyiraho Radio yo kumara abaturage ubwoba ngo baharanire uburenganzira bwabo bagize neza cyane Ariko se niba barabwiye uwo mugiraneza ko Radio Impala ari iyo gufasha opposition politique Rwandaise kugira acces kuri Medias Noneho yaba yarabaye umwihariko w'amashyaka amwe gusa bigenze bite? Mbese ariko byagenze nta buriganya bwo bwaba burimo? Mbese uwo mugiraneza yaba yari agamije gufasha gusa plateforme RNC-FDU-Amahoro Congres? Nimukomeze kutuvunguriraho natwe tumenye ukuri, Rwaka On Friday, March 28, 2014 2:06 PM, "majaribu1987@yahoo.fr" <majaribu1987@yahoo.fr> wrote: ...
Depuis les 5 dernières années, les experts sur le Rwanda n'écrivent plus des livres sur le génocide rwandais. La plupart ont disparu parce qu'ils ont honte de leurs écrits sur le Rwanda considérant que certains éléments de la vérité sur le Rwanda sont maintenant connus ou que le Rwanda avec son dictateur Kagame sont vus d'une manière différente. Mme Vidal est en train de les rejoindre. From: Rwembe Charlie <rwembe6030@yahoo.fr> To: "Democracy_Human_Rights@yahoogroupes.fr" <Democracy_Human_Rights@yahoogroupes.fr> Sent: Friday, 28 March 2014, 15:18 Subject: Re: *DHR* Claudine Vidal s'est réveillée en disant: "Et moi aussi, et moi aussi" Mme Vidal, Pourquoi ne reagissez-vous pas aux nombreuses reactions qu'a suscite votre interview? J'attends tjrs de lire votre reaction aux reactions des netters...
Why Africa Realities Media Is Different
Africa Realities Media speaks to Africa and to the developed world. Many abuses facing African people are committed by African states and ruling elites, but they are often protected by international silence, lobbying, public relations, trade interests, migration deals and unequal global accountability. While governments pay lobbyists to present a good image abroad, ordinary African people continue to face violence, hunger, disease, poverty, repression and exclusion. We challenge the normalisation of African suffering and demand equal truth, equal justice and equal protection.
Pourquoi Africa Realities Media est différent?
Africa Realities Media s’adresse à l’Afrique et au monde développé. De nombreux abus subis par les peuples africains sont commis par des États africains et des élites dirigeantes, mais ils sont souvent protégés par le silence international, le lobbying, les relations publiques, les intérêts commerciaux, les accords migratoires et une responsabilité mondiale inégale. Tandis que des gouvernements paient des lobbyistes pour présenter une bonne image à l’étranger, des Africains ordinaires continuent de faire face à la violence, à la faim, aux maladies, à la pauvreté, à la répression et à l’exclusion. Nous contestons la normalisation de la souffrance africaine et exigeons une vérité égale, une justice égale et une protection égale.
Policy and Systems Change
Our work is designed to trigger debate, discomfort and action. We do not only expose injustice; we work for policy and systems change.
We want governments and institutions to address the root causes of inequality, disadvantage, discrimination, exclusion and barriers affecting African people. We believe lasting change must be shaped by people with lived experience.
Exposing Injustice in Africa
Africa Realities Media is an independent African accountability platform based in London. We report, analyse and challenge the systems that shape African suffering, silence African victims and protect abusive power.
We are not here to repeat diplomatic language. We are here to ask the questions that are often avoided: why are African deaths treated as normal? Why are African victims given less urgency? Why are governments that imprison, exclude, displace or kill their own people protected when they serve powerful international interests?
Africa Realities Media gives space to writers, researchers, experts, activists, community voices, campaigners, analysts and people with lived experience who want to contribute thoughtful, responsible and courageous content about the changes needed in the region, as well as the political, economic, cultural and social African realities that are often ignored, minimised or misrepresented.
Our articles and videos aim to encourage debate, raise awareness, stimulate critical thinking and support reflection. We seek to help people in the Great Lakes Region understand their rights to human rights, development and wellbeing, while also encouraging decision-makers to be more transparent, responsive and accountable.
Comments
Post a Comment