From the New York Times:
Miriam Makeba, a South African singer whose voice stirred hopes of freedom among millions in her own country though her music was formally banned by the apartheid authorities she struggled against, died overnight after performing at a concert in Italy on Sunday. She was 76.
....
Widely known as “Mama Africa,” she had been a prominent exiled opponent of apartheid since the South African authorities revoked her passport in 1960 and refused to allow her to return after she traveled abroad. She was prevented from attending her mother’s funeral after touring in the United States.
You know that you're a force, when your music is banned. So many heroes out of South Africa. Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Steve Biko, and Nadine Gordimer.
She was particularly renowned for her performances of songs such as what was known as the Click Song — named for a clicking sound in her native tongue — or “Qongoqothwane,” and Pata Pata, meaning Touch Touch in Xhosa. Her style of singing was widely interpreted as a blend of black township rhythms, jazz and folk music.
Miriam, may you rest in peace and rise in glory. We were blessed by your beautiful music.
Almighty God, our Father in heaven, before whom live all who die in the Lord: Receive our sister Miriam into the courts of your heavenly dwelling place. Let her heart and soul now ring out in joy to you, O Lord, the living God, and the God of those who live. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen.
This is very sad, indeed. RIP.
ReplyDeleteyes- very sad
ReplyDeleteI may be wrong, but I believe it was she who inspired the popular song in the 60s, "The Lion Sleeps Tonight." (No doubt someone on this list will correct me or fill in the information, there being such an elite and educated group of people who traffic this blog.) It was revolutionary then and now, as was she and will continue to be, even in death.
ReplyDeleteMay she rest in peace and rise in glory.
Here's the story of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight". Miriam recorded the song, but it appears that it was not written for her. The version that I remember the most was that by the Weavers.
ReplyDeleteThe composer, Solomon Linda, received little money during his lifetime, since the song was not copyrighted.
RIP, Sister Makeba
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of "Lions":
ReplyDeleteRight after seeing the obit (on CBS News), our network affiliate had an ad for a local stage production of "The Lion King" (y'know, w/ the monkey-griot doing that stirring call). I was struck, as I hadn't been before, just *how much* it was (evidently) inspired by Miriam's voice and music.
[Hope she was still conscious last Tuesday night, don't you?]
May she rest in peace, and rise in glory!
JCF, I hope that Miriam was able to savor the moment of Obama's election.
ReplyDelete