We continue our discussion examining the role of Pan-Afrikanism in forging a viable Afrikan identity amid the seeming denigration of the same within the public sphere. (1) In places like the USA this is seen notably in the political sphere around the demand for reparations and the antipathy for Afrikan origins. (2)
This condition has been termed Mentacide by some of our most esteemed thinkers like Ancestor Bobby E Wright and Mwalimu Bomani Baruti. (3) As Baba Baruti asserts:
“Self-hatred results from learning to be ashamed and/or hating one’s own story, one’s own traditions, one’s own people, one’s own self.” (4)
In 1977, reggae legend Peter Tosh wailed:
“Don’t care where you come from
As long as you’re a black man, you’re an African
No mind your nationality
You have got the identity of an African” (5)
Fast forward to 2022 and there are indications that this sentiment has not stood the test of time, if the reactions to Ghanaian Afropop, dancehall and reggae musician, Stonebwoy is anything to go by. In a September interview he opined:
“Reggae is rooted in the heart of Africa. It’s not a foreign style or movement. It only has more consciousness and awareness attached to that style of music… Even our Afrobeats of today also stem out from the highlife core, where the highlife core tells stories and brings people to consciousness. Whether Reggae, Dancehall, Highlife, or Afrobeats, they all come from the same source… To me, it’s not that it’s very difficult to actually express oneself with those styles, all those names in Jamaican. Remember that Jamaicans are all Africans by virtue of the slave trade. So, it’s just the music that we’re doing back again.” (6)
It probably didn’t help that this quote was framed with the title, “Africa owns Reggae music — not Caribbean, says Stonebwoy.” Interestingly, in spite of the backlash (7), Stonebwoy found support from dancehall superstar Sean Paul, acknowledging the genres foundational “African drums and sounds.” (8) However, both Paul and Stonebwoy earned a rebuke from singer and DJ Queen Ifrica: “With no apologies to no one pan di face a di earth. Reggae and Dancehall music is indigenous to Jamaica like Apple Valle is to Apple; Jamaica’s Africa’s Apple Valley,” the Lioness on the Rise singer said. (9) She also took issue with Stonebwoy’s reference to “the slave trade,” retorting that Afrikans were on the island before enslavement and that “Jamaica was not a slave plantation; slavery was added to Jamaica.” (10)
UK-based Cultural scientist Bro. ShakaRa Mbandaka shared his perspective on the matter in an online post:
“Stonebwoy neva seh nuttin wrong.
Stonebwoy seh Jamaicans are Afrikans – ‘im correct
Stonebwoy seh reggae music belongs to Afrikans – ‘im correct.” (11)
He added: “the only people who have a problem with this are Afrikans who have a problem with being recognised and affirmed as Afrikans.” (12) It’s a take that elicited some pretty objectionable responses. (13) Yet Bro. ShakaRa locates such viewpoints within the realm of what he terms “anti-Afrikan foolimentality.” (14) An additional irony was highlighted when he pointed out was there was a bigger outcry about who owns reggaes music in response to Stonebwoy than there has ever been over the (white) corporate domination of the industry. (15)
Moreover, similar instances within popular culture have been appearing with increasing frequency in recent years. A case in point is a Voice headline from seven years ago that screeched: “’Afrobeats Floats At Notting Hill Carnival’ Sparks Outrage,” accompanied by the sub-heading: “Angry Twitter users slam inclusion of African genre at Caribbean festival.” (16) The dispute now is that Afrobeats is taking over carnival, where it “don’t belong.” (17)
One of the functions of Pan-Afrikanism should be to forge a coherent, viable Afrikan identity that must be rooted in the Afrikan personality, something that Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah defines as “the cluster of humanist principles which underlie traditional African society.” (18) That identity and personality is affirmed by culture, be it Afrikan or otherwise and the raison d’être of popular culture is mass consumption. These debates indicate a disconnect (or an attempt so to do) from out traditional source while clinging to what Professor Carolyn Cooper terms “fraudulent” constructions like “out of many, one people,” in the case of Jamaica. She adds that this national motto was “a deliberately dishonest attempt to create the illusion of racial harmony in a society still suffering the consequences of institutionalised racism and class prejudice.” (19)
One wonders if these controversies are deliberately manufactured or whether they are a true reflection of where the global Afrikan family is at, some combination of the two or even frivolous distractions. Perhaps even the very asking of these questions is indicative of a deficit in our cultural analytical capacity.
(1) Afrika Speaks with Alkebu-Lan on Galaxy Radio (28/11/22) What is the role of Pan-Afrikanism today? https://alkebulan.org/2022/11/28/aswag-409-pan-afrikanism-role/
(2) Bryan 18X Crawford (27/05/19) ADOS Its origins, troublesome ties and fears it’s dividing Black folk in the fight for reparations. https://www.finalcall.com/artman/publish/National_News_2/ADOS-Its-origins-troublesome-ties-and-fears-it-s-dividing-Black-folk-in-the-fight-for-reparations.shtml; Jessica Ann Mitchell Aiwuyor (02/01/20) Understanding ADOS: The Movement to Hijack Black Identity and Weaken Black Unity in America. https://ibw21.org/commentary/understanding-ados-movement-hijack-black-identity-weaken-black-unity/.
(3) Mwalimu Bomani K Baruti (2005) Mentacide and other essays. Akopben House. p. 6-7.
(4) Ibid.
(5) Peter Tosh (1977) African in Equal Rights LP. CBS
(6) Kunle Daramola (18/09/22) INTERVIEW: Africa owns Reggae music — not Caribbean, says Stonebwoy. https://lifestyle.thecable.ng/interview-africa-owns-reggae-music-not-caribbean-says-stonebwoy/
(7) Kediesha Perry (29/09/22) Stonebwoy says reggae is African. https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/stonebwoy-says-reggae-is-african/; Claudia Gardner (29/09/22) Stonebwoy Under Fire After Claiming Reggae “Belongs To Africans” And Not Jamaica. https://www.dancehallmag.com/2022/09/29/news/stonebwoy-under-fire-after-claiming-reggae-belongs-to-africans-and-not-jamaica.html
. Op. cit.
(8) Claudia Gardner (04/10/22) Sean Paul Says “Nothing Wrong” With Stonebwoy’s Comments On Reggae’s Origins. https://www.dancehallmag.com/2022/10/04/news/sean-paul-says-nothing-wrong-with-stonebwoys-comments-on-reggaes-origins.html
(9) Claudia Gardner (09/10/22) https://www.dancehallmag.com/2022/10/09/news/queen-ifrica-weighs-in-on-sean-paul-stonebwoy-comments-reggae-comes-from-jamaica.html.
(10) Ibid.
(11) ShakaRa Ɔkyeame (03/10/22) Reggae Music is Afrikan Music. https://www.tiktok.com/@shakaraspeaks/video/7150199178839280901?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7151909232303392261
(12) Ibid.
(13) A character under the moniker Fyah Ras posted: “Reggae music is Jamaican just like me a tell yuh guh suck yuh madda a Jamaican. https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02sVdvrPzyS8ryATwjudtEcPmjqv3SNrdAyFZRDg8uDm3bt6y4eTXKSdd24m6GcbAZl&id=532967153
(14) ShakaRa Ɔkyeame (03/10/22) Op. cit.
(15) ShakaRa Ɔkyeame (06/10/22) Who owns Reggae Music? https://www.tiktok.com/@shakaraspeaks/video/7151444279817194757?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7173483923762497029
(16) The Voice Online (04/08/15) ‘Afrobeats Floats At Notting Hill Carnival’ Sparks Outrage. https://archive.voice-online.co.uk/article/afrobeats-floats-notting-hill-carnival-sparks-outrage
(17) reinier gaucho (02/08/22) Fighting to hear Afrobeats & Drill at Carnival… https://twitter.com/_amrxi/status/1554506004410388486
(18) Kwame Nkrumah (1990) Consciencism. Monthly Review Press. p. 79
(19) ShakaRa Ɔkyeame (06/10/22) #OutOfManyOnePeople https://www.tiktok.com/@shakaraspeaks/video/7160555431494962438?is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1
we ask the question:
What is the role of Pan-Afrikanism today? Pt. 2
1) What does the Stonebwoy situation tell us about Afrikan cultural transmission?
2) Are debates over who owns reggae music frivolous?
3) Is “out of many, one people” really a “fraudulent” construction?
4) How can Pan-Afrikanism develop our cultural analytical capacity?
Our very special guests:
Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka: Resident guest who is Spiritual Leader of the Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement and an Afrikan-Centered Education Consultant. Bro. Ldr is a veteran activist of nearly 40 years standing, a featured columnist in The Whirlwind newspaper and author of Mosiah Daily Affirmations and Education: An African-Centred Approach To Excellence.
Bro. ShakaRa Mbandaka: the son of Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka, Father, Partner, Universal Afrikan Nationalist, Organiser, Spoken Word Activist, Writer, Cultural Scientist, Educator, Sema Tawi (ShakaRaSpeaks.com).
TRIBUTE TO SIS IRENE YAMBÁ: http://reparacionafricana.blogspot.com/2022/11/uhuru-poto-irene-yamba-abuy-nfube-awe.html?m=1