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Tonga Music Concert 2002
"
MESSAGE IN THE DRUM AND STRING"
Monze is a town in Southern Province of Zambia, just about 200km from
capital Lusaka. Further South, we meet rural town of Chisekesi. Off
the main road, going East toward Gwembe town, we will find a turn off
to a renowned place called Chikuni Mission (distance not exceeding
12 km).
Established in 1905 by a Jesuit priest, Fr Joseph Moreau, Chikuni Mission
ended up not just to end the notions of highly tradition-rites believers,
but also turned this place into a Perry-urban village. Today Chikuni
Mission is more or less like a town, at least on the Zambian scale.
Standing piously high beside Canisius High School, is the legendry
tower that used to be the central Holy Place of worship for converters
and the converted alike. It’s this foundation on which were laid
the technicalities, which make Chikuni Mission a driving force to reckon
with.
Apart from putting education and health standards at First Class Level,
there is today a dream come true, that people otherwise had never dreamed
of before. The ‘miracle’ is Radio Chikuni, which went on
air in 1999 with an official radius of 70km. Its programmes are community
based while its producers/broadcasters are young men and women well
versed, skilled and active in broadcasting communication. Summing up
its mission of “Empowering the People”. One of many ways
is through a musical concert.
Though started three years ago, the 2002 concert was a symbol of a
destine made in an achievable track. The previous two seems to have
taught the radio team the pros and cons of what makes not just a concert,
but Radio Chikuni Concert a success. More than 120 local bands registered
in the Ten (10) categories that were lined-up for the stage. But only
70 were able to perform due to time factor.
The moment the first string vibrated through the Public Speaking equipment,
one could not manage suppressing a joyous smile from the face. Ululations,
bleating and cheers filled the air, signifying a true moment of good
days in a life of someone who values culture.
The more than 4,000 spectators had a time of revisiting their culture.
Bringing back to life, those past times when they would converge in
similar gatherings under the bright moon and sound the drums of NKOSAADI
(concert) and NKAANGAKAYE (children’s night games); the plays
that used to bring harmony among the Tonga and watered their culture
to fullness; chewing up all those vices that would otherwise have cracked
society to death. The 2002 concert brought renowned Tonga drummers
and string pullers together as brothers and sisters not adversaries.
People went ‘hail’ to the jives of Kalindula (a local classical
lyric), new to the Tonga string system but incorporated in its tunes.
If someone called this concert a failure, then he could have watched
a different one, because the beauty of the Tonga culture was displayed
to its excellence. The roots almost dying were seen being buttressed
to life once more. The silent culture was made to talk in Tongues unforgettable.
The unheard voices went round the country, heating the blood of culture-lovers
to tears of joy.
This concert was simply a message in the drum and string. The very
one to remain a symbol of unity, prosperity and integrity. Dancers
were made to swing to their tune, because they realized that people’s
eyes are just ‘decorations’ and do not inflict an injury
on anyone. That’s what the organizers meant by “A person
without knowledge of his/her past is like a tree without roots”.
Sakala Brothers were the invited guest to perform. They gave an excellent
performance and showed how to entertain the public.
