1st July: International Raggae Day

Raggae music is known to communicate freedom, love and peace. Originating from Jamaica, it has a similarity with Sega. Played during the era of colonisation, Jamaicans used to free their pain through music. It was a way of expressing their feeling about conditions tormenting them. In Mauritius, some musicians and some people do have a soft corner for these beautiful raggae tunes. Dancing to the tune of Damian Marley at the recent concert, they have shown how many smiles reggae can bring. 

Dean Rungen

• Favourite singer: Kaya

• Favouritesong: Simé Lamière

Dean has grown up in a very raggae/saggae atmosphere. For him, reggae propagates peace, love and harmony among people. « Raggae has always been part of my life and I am now using this type of music to share my thoughts through music itself ». Raggae music is part of his flesh and soul. It teaches him not to be blind in front of the beauty of nature and its cultures and to always be kind in front of adversity. “We should always think with our heart and always be at peace with ourselves.” He has learnt this philosophy from Kaya. He feels deeply blessed and in harmony when he listens to his songs. “Kaya has always motivated one to make love and not war, we are all human and it is important to be united.” For Dean, raggae culture and music can transform someone to be more positive and reject the pessimist attitude. In Mauritius, many people are dancing or enjoying a good reggae song. When I see youngsters listening to Kaya or an international star like Damien Marley, it gives goosebumps.” 

Melika Sanassy

• Favourite Singer: Bob Marley

• Favourite song/lyrics: One love- Bob Marley. 

• Favourite lyrics: “Do not forget your history nor your destiny”. 

• “Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery. none but ourselves can free our mind”.

Since she was a little girl, Melika has lived by reggae music. Her father was a big fan of Reggae especially of the king, Bob Marley. “He has always transmitted to me the beautiful words that have always cheered me up.” It has, according to her, such a beautiful and sweet melody. Reggae sings words of truths. “In reggae music, one hears only words of peace, love, unity. This is paramount”. Listening to a good reggae song helps her see life in another way. It helps her to propagate positive vibes. “After a tiring day at work, this soft music gives me the joy of living and it is all I need to unwind.” For her, associating raggae music with marijuana or drugs is wrong. The reggae culture is just beautiful. “One must not necessarily smoke or use drug to appreciate this beautiful music that brings universal peace. Moreover, reggae brought together several cultures.” One should be grateful of the convergence of reggae and Sega. “We have a unique legacy, our famous seggae. There are words that mark us, which make us see much further, especially making us even more intelligent and change our perception of seeing things.” - Peace.

Joane

• Favourite Singer: NattaliRize, Morgan Heritage, Matisyahu, The Marley family and some other artists like Etana, Lauryn Hill, Buju Banton, Jah Cure and local ones like Blakkayo, Ras Ti-lang...

• Favourite song: Generations will rise

 Joane is far from being judgmental. Culturally, reggae plays many roles and is a way where many Jamaicans tend to define themselves. The social impact of reggae music has largely impacted life in Jamaica. For her, reggae has created an understanding of their culture. It is a form of music in which words can be heard and spoken. “Music has always played an essential role in my life.” From an objective point of view, she thinks that this can change someone’s life.

She finds the lyrics soft on the ears and she feels her heart thumping to the beat of the drums. Reggae music does not deny the chaos of the world and yet, it manages to convey calmness. She enjoys this confluence of chaos and calm. “The relationship between the feeling and the music are correlated and not causal. I sometimes get very nervous, mainly when I am tired. In this case, I simply plug in my earphones/speakers, press play on some reggae vibes and turn up the volume.”

It’s been two years now that she discovered Nattali Rize, who is an Australian musician, record producer and political activist. She began her music career as a street percussionist in Byron Bay. “I really appreciate her music because she knows where she stands and what she talks about from a general point of view.” Joane also explains: “People need to stop thinking that Reggae music is all about revolution and weed! And also that all those who listen to that music are stoners and need to wear dreadlocks! This is not true at all. It is deeper than that. Jimmy Cliff, Bob Marley, Haile Selassie or Dennis Brown share messages of love, of peace and push people to face reality.”  The impact of reggae and Rastafari on the worldwide cultural universe is according to her colossal. Unfortunately, some people cannot see and don’t want to see beyond dreadlocks and weed which is sad.” Her best moment remains the Eureka Music Festival in Moka and the The Bridge Eco-Arts festival that was held in Tamarin where the artists blew everything! “I never had such feelings after that in any other live music festival/concert.”

Roy Kinoo 

• Favourite Singer: Bob Marley, Damian Marley, Gentleman and Stephan Marley

• Favourite lyrics: "if you get down and you quarrel everyday you’re saying prayers to the devil I say »

• My favourite songs: No more trouble. Positive Vibration. Rat Race.

Reggae music means lot of good and positive vibrations. He listens to many music genres and reggae remains one of his favourites.  “You can sense how much love there is into reggae. Words are so simple and profound. It makes me think that the Good wins over the Wrong.” It also represents happiness and freedom. Rastafari is always present in reggae music. “Many people associate reggae music and rastafari with cannabis that they qualify as drugs and that’s sad. Mindsets need to change.” For him, Bob Marley has helped in the evolution of raggae music. It has helped people to see above boundaries, countries and races. His music is still being played even after 36 years. “I think Bob Marley would be very happy and proud of what he did. How much he inspired other artists. He is not really dead, he still lives on.” Rasta people are generally cool, happy and seem to live far from stress. He thinks that they tend to keep the best inside and give more importance to the feelings over the material world. It’s important to respect that. “Lately I had the chance to attend ‘Festival Reggae Donn Sa’ and Gentleman was the special guest at the Damian Marley concert in Mauritius. I was so excited and lucky to attend both. You should see all the people singing and jumping. On both occasions, there were so many people. It made me happy seeing many different cultures and also different age groups in Mauritius loving same music.” Reggae music speaks out of love and unity.