Something to believe in

I attended and observed a Nikah (also spelt Nikai) wedding which is the traditional Islamic marriage ceremony. This was actually my second but I didn’t observe the entire ceremony the first time around. There’s something that leaves me just transfixed in each passing moment of a new experience and this was no different. So I was born and raised into a Christian home, and for a while there in my high school days had this passion and zeal for the Pentecostal brand of Christianity. I went to a school with friends that were Muslims, so seeing them pray 5 times a day and break their fast in a communal fashion was nothing new to me. Nigeria’s population after all is about  50% Muslim and 50% Christian.   If you ask me what I am, I will tell you I am a Christian much like I will check “Black” as my option when forced to choose amongst limited options. I say that because as I have grown and matured I have developed a relationship with a supreme being that many call by different names. I have also learnt many things from teachings from other “religions” that have made my life more fulfilling. So back to the Nikah wedding, right after the ceremony ended the party began. I was fortunate to get the seat I did because I think I had the best seat in the house since I was able to observe what I am about to describe. The music starts and the DJ is blaring D’Banj’s “Oliver Twist” and P-Square’s “Chop my money” with people getting into a frenzy on the dance floor,  I raised my head in the space above and I saw people doing the salat (Muslim prayer) and I  admired, actually almost envied them. Such discipline! Such focus! Such reverence for a supreme being! I believe what the world needs from humans is 2 things. First, each person should have belief or faith in a supreme being; second, try seeing if you can gain some insight from what the other person believes, maybe you might learn something but if you don’t just do us all a favour and shut your mouth! I’ve heard that people are afraid of what they don’t understand, so be afraid but shut up!

My supplication is thus: That you are able to open yourself up to other experiences that could add fullness to your life while you hold on to the faith that grounds you and defines your journey in life and thereafter. Until next time- "As-salam Alaikum Wa al-hub” (Peace and Love)

The Beauty of Struggle and pain

As some of you may know and for those who don’t I started blogging a year ago this month. It’s proven quite cathartic for me- an avenue to just let it out-my anger, angst, joys, all of it. Some of you also know that I have a deep appreciation for music. As I told a friend of mine- writing is like breathing to me and in the last year I decided to come up for some air; music feels that way too. I believe though that an essential ingredient to creating any piece or work is struggle and pain. The voice is an incredibly powerful instrument and I believe pain and struggle strum that voice to create what I refer to as music that emanates from the core. Some of the amazing voices I’ve heard musically tell the same story - the African Americans during slavery, The Igbos during the civil war, Blacks in South Africa during apartheid and the list goes on- please understand that I recognize that human suffering is universal, but these patterns validate my theory about the correlation between music and suffering.

I have taken another baby step in my journey toward  self-discovery and the quest to experience fully all the makings of me. I have decided to marry my passion for music and the essence of the things that I write about – and wait for it…..on radio. Yes, Ms I’d-rather-be-behind-the-scenes, Ms obscurity-is-more impactful than visibility, Ms I’d-rather-not-be-out-there. Yes, that Ms is going to have the opportunity to share of herself and hopefully have the blessing of having you share of yourself too via a program on www.myrootsradio.com at the end of November 2012. I’m excited about myrootsradio.com because of its unique offering of African music which engages, entertains and takes people of African heritage through a musical experience to a place and time that reminds us all of from whence we came and how deeply our roots define who we are.

Myrootsradio.com and I look forward to taking this journey with you, until then I wish that you always find ways to create beauty from your struggle and pain.