When Ethiopian and local Sudanese music rocks Juba
By Jack Daniel
November 3, 2007(JUBA) — Life goes better as Ethiopian Music rocks Juba , weekends in Juba are full of joyous moments both by young and old fans at Queen of Sheba, one of the famous restaurant that serve African dishes specially the chilly and delicious Ethiopian foods most eaten by all also in Southern Sudan.
Weekend fever broke out just some few minutes later after some good African Ethiopian dishes were served. as fans were impatiently waiting for the Ethiopia trim-trim to click and invite more to the dancing ground, Ethiopian must was much more about their traditions that has never adopted western tune nor dance.
This almost pleased everybody in Southern Sudan and promised that, South must restore and promote local music in conjunction with the traditional values and should not be influenced by the western music. On other hand, people do agree to some extend of modifications but not be incorporating the bad part of other music.
What many young and elder southern Sudanese ask was, what is our government doing in promoting and protecting the local music industry and also materially and financial funding the Southern Sudanese Music Association to advance their competitiveness in music industry?
Since there was no ministry culture representative present to answer the question but Dr. Manoja indirectly answered by showing that, he was not only there to dances but with great enthusiasm of promoting the traditional music and encourage local artists to work hard in a progressive creativity. Not only an experience dancer, has he had what it takes to promote the Southern Sudanese music, he also want to tell that taking experiences from other musicians in the neighboring countries is of important service for our local musicians to gain experiences.
One example was recently shown by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport by inviting and bringing several musicians from Uganda so that, the set an example of good music while they are joined by their colleagues musicians from Southern Sudan.
The Southern Sudan Musicians Association who organized Miss Malakia southern Sudan competition has organized to fly in Mr. RedSan, a well known musician in Kenya to perform during the next final competition proposed to take place in the month of December 2007. Mr. Redsan along his colleagues’ musicians in Juba Southern Sudan will perform at Home and Away hotel in Juba.
“I am not only inspired by the Ethiopian music but the commitments of our government has in promoting local musicians to advance their carrier and strengthen music industry that incorporate local traditions and cultures with social development of our communities in Southern Sudan.”
Such an unlimited support from the government specially Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport along with Ministry of Social Welfare is much needed as this will encourage local artist to perform better even in promoting peace and stability specially in creating awareness and dissemination of CPA.