The Ivorian Reggae star performed in Asmara, Eritrea on 6th and 7th of february 2012. The two concerts were held at Cinema Roma and Bahti Meskerem respectively. The Asmarinos are not probably known for their love of Reggae music but they took Tiken into their hearts and minds.
His powerfull lyrics and energetic dance, inspired the audience across all walks of lives. Tiken is well-known for his anti-colonialism and anti-racism standings which are reflected in his songs. Tiken had been forced to live in exile in Bamako, Mali at the height of the political crisis in his country, Ivory Coast.
He was threatened to death and had no any other option than fleeing for his life. I saw him performing for the first time roughly ten years ago, at summerjam in Cologne, Germany and have been his fan ever since. He is the embodiment of self-consciousness and African dignity.
The Asmarinos showed their appreciations when he dedicated songs for the Eritrean soldiers and fighters. He was eventually given the Eritrean Rubber Sandals so called "shiedas" as a present which are symbols of Eritrean resistance and fight for liberation/freedom.
Reggae is not of course a kind of music you could sit stil and listen to but would rather tune to and dance.The legendary Eritrean fighter and singer Fatinga joined Tiken on the stage at Cinema Roma and showed her appreciation by presenting Tiken flowers and dancing alongside with him for a few moments.
Songs like "Africa wants to be free", "African revolution must be black peoples redemption", touched the Asmarinos who could not stop singing these songs as it somehow appeals to them in many ways.
One man from the audience who was given the microphne By Tiken to sing after him almost "refused" to return back the Mice to the king as the guy wants Africa to be free so much!
Big time!
What a magnificient moment!
The fight against female gential mutalation is another unifying factor between Tiken and Eritrea. It was a bold and an unexpected initiative by different actors that made it possible for Tiken to arrive to Asmara.
We can only hope that there will be more of these sorts of concerts even in the future. As tiken is a world-star who will shine for many years to come, one can only hope/assume that he and his fantastic band had a wonderful time in Eritrea.
The two days with Tiken in Asmara were definately my best in Asmara thusfar. I never thought that I would ever see him in Eritrea. Dreams come true sometimes. I look forward to experiencing more Reggae and international music in Eritrea. The Pan-Africanism which is quite strong among exiled Africans, would only get beyond that if and only if we continued to open up ourselves and our cultures to eachother in a spirit of true brotherhood and internationalism.
Reggae is the only music which bridges all gaps!
Blessings!
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