Politische Musik in Guinea-Bissau

Anne-Kristin Borszik

Africa Spectrum, 2003, vol. 38, issue 3, 319-345

Abstract: This contribution analyses the political position musicians in Guinea-Bissau take to comment on the current state of Guinean society. By describing this state, musicians intend to inform and mobilize its population. Their central message is that development is obstructed by corruption and that people themselves need to assume responsibility for the fate of their country. The political field is described as being one of trust and mistrust, unequal power relations and the occult. Musicians as prestigious members of society emerge as critical observers of this political field. Most often they escape censorship and express the unspeakable by turning common linguistic concepts like "sugar", "fish" and "boat" into metaphors. Thus, sensitizing takes place indirectly. Musicians do not influence the politics of the day. Instead, by combining the population´s language, Kriol, with western-influenced music, they direct their message at the youth and politicians. This contribution aims at illustrating the contents of political music and its embededdedness in socio-political contexts. Furthermore, it suggests the subtle influence of this music on discourses in the political field and on desirable political changes.

Date: 2003
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