When 'Music is our weapon' screened in TZ

Twitter: @CarolAnande Instagram: @CarolAnande Facebook: @CarolAnande

Sarabi performing to their fans at Makuti Restaurant
in Dar, after the debut screening
of their film 'Music is our weapon' 

A poster was circulating the art circles in TZ, with an African film to be screened at Century Cinemax in Oysterbay, Dar es Salaam on the 29th of April. Titled ‘Music is our Weapon’ I was psyched to watch it, after seeing who the director was- Mr Taye Balogun from Nigeria.

I had first seen his work a year or so back in Mikocheni, Dar. When he showcased a provocative fine art exhibition, with landscaper photographer Mutua Matheka titled ‘Why Africans aren’t united’. True to form after viewing ‘Music is our weapon’, I was impressed by his work.

This time not so much for the finesse of delivery, rather the film's raw rich East African based content. ‘Music is our Weapon’ is a documentary film featuring the journey of ‘Sarabi’, a music band from Kenya. I had never prior to seeing the film, heard the groups music or seen them live.

Some members of Sarabi having a selfie after
the debut of their featured film'Music is our weapon' in DSM

As it goes their story is touching and inspiring showing how ordinary kids from the slums of Nairobi. Namely Nelson Mandela-the lead singer, Christabele Were (Bella)-co lead singer with musicians Benard Oduo, Tony Kimangu, Haron Waceke, Mbau Peter, Adam Mwadama, John Maluni and Jack Maguna (who had taken a break and is now back in the band). Become 'Sarabi' a well oiled band performing live music around the region and abroad.

After watching the film we had the pleasure of seeing them live in front of us at the auditorium, the group then went to Makuti Restaurant in Oysterbay. Where they performed live for the crowd, it was here that I saw in living color the chemistry that is free flowing in the band.

Something George Ndiritu ought to be thanked for as Sarabi came about through his efforts via Mathare Youth Sports Association. A facility working to give youths in the slums of Nairobi a chance to make something of their lives by participating in extracurricular activities. It’s here that George Ndiritu initiated ‘Haba na Haba’ an art center, which invites kids from these rough neighborhoods to learn music and dance.

It fares the members of Sarabi have known each other since their early teens, in the film we see footage of them engaging in activities at ‘Haba na Haba’, while they were a little over 10 years old. Sarabi today is a respected band in Kenya who have performed on various platforms in the East African region and abroad; to include Sauti za Busara festival in Zanzibar, Toskilde festival in Denmark and DoaDoa festival in Uganda among many others.

Taye Balogun at the debut
screening of
 'Music is our weapon'
in Dar es Salaam

Their music which is an eclectic mix of rock, reggae & Kenyan traditional music is said to represent the modern sound of Kenya. Indeed the group is a great ambassador for the nation; it was beautiful to see through ‘music is our weapon’ how the band is engaged in social justice. They run a public library with a play ground for kids.

Having experienced rough childhoods their music reflects ways for progress for people who are on the poverty margins in Kenya and around the world really. Still their message has at times gotten them in trouble as we saw in the film, their lead singer Nelson getting arrested for participating in a peaceful protest with the famous Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi, who is a big fan of the band.

Bella catching a selfie moment with fans
after the showing of
 'Music is our weapon' at Century Cinemax
in Oysterbay, DSM

Taye has thus done a good job in bringing this unique band to the limelight in his words

“When I bumped into them two years ago performing on stage though I couldn’t understand the words they were saying. I knew they were angry about something. After talking to them I knew I discovered my diamond story; we know that Kenya has so many NGOs yet those in the slums are still suffering. So upon knowing the journey George Ndiritu undertook of his own volition and seeing the passion behind Sarabi, I knew there’s a worthy story to be told here…” Taye Balogun.

The lead singer 'Nelson Mandela'
serenading the crowd in the
after party of the film
 'Music is our weapon'
at Makuti Restaurant in DSM

Taye followed the group for a year and three months to shoot this film documentary of 1hr: 50 min, with no donor funding. Speaking with the band Nelson had this to say “To have our story captured while we’re still alive and growing is very humbling for us. It tells us to keep the fire burning…”

Bella who is the only female member in the group on asking her if she imagined one day she’d be here she answers. “In a way yes, because I worked hard for this since I was young. I’m very grateful to Haba na Haba. Plus I take the responsibility on my shoulders to provide the female voice of my people through the music at Sarabi seriously.”

Well if you get the opportunity to watch this Doc-film ‘Music is our weapon’ do go witness some East African She/heroes. Also if you Sarabi is playing at a venue near you don’t miss it.  Hawa ma yankii ni balaa jukwaani, kwanza lazima utataka kucheza pili ujumbe wao unavutia na kushirikisha watu wote kwenye jamii.