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" Writing a reference letter for my Rwandan musician friend as he seeks political asylum in the U.S. Please pray for him! "



The U.N.'s Creative Economy Report
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March 3rd, 2010
News

Howdy friends, for those of you interested in the in-depth thought process behind utilizing music as a tool for overcoming poverty in the developing world I thought I would share a report published by the U.N. with you.

 

Back in 2008 when this report came out I remember feeling elated as I read through page after page of well documented material which confirmed the viability of what I had been passionately working towards for the last several years…utilizing music as a way to overcome poverty! In this brilliantly written 357 page study the authors/researchers conclude that “this report provides empirical evidence that the creative industries are among the most dynamic emerging sectors in world trade.” And that the creative industries (with music as a central component) “have the potential to generate income, jobs and export earnings while at the same time promoting social inclusion, cultural diversity and human development.”

 

With this report being the first to present the perspectives of the United Nations on this exciting new topic. The creative economy seems full of possibility as a way to overcome poverty! And this makes me so excited for the potential of Ensigo in the next few years.

 

Feel free to download the PDF of this report here: The UN’s Creative Economy Report

 

Uganda's Most Popular Crippled Dancehall Musician
2

February 10th, 2010
Music & Video

Upon first arriving in East Africa I was shocked by the strong influence of Jamaican music on Ugandan culture. It seemed that about 2/3 of the songs being played on the radio could fit into the dancehall genre. It was evident that the embracing of western culture as superior has led to a devastating loss of Uganda’s traditions in speech, music, dress, and visual art. Professor John Ssempeke voiced the same concerns with the loss of Ugandan culture. In conversation with him at Uganda’s National Museum the professor of traditional African music expressed “slowly our culture is being lost to Westernization. I believe that one day in the near future our precious culture will become totally lost, and people will long to have it back.”

 

While I tend to dislike the majority of Ugandan dancehall music, I thought this video offered an interesting perspective on this popular sub-culture of urban Uganda. I would love to open this topic up for dialogue and hear what other opinions are represented…feel free to add your comment to this post.

 

Trinity Tree
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January 27th, 2010
Creative Writing

During my first trip to Uganda in 2006 I was invited to author/professor Timothy Wangusa’s launch of his latest book Africa’s New Brood. Over the course of the presentation Professor Wangusa read selections of his favorite poems from the book, which combines African folklore and proverbs with Christian symbolism.  Its main theme is that of growing up in the Ugandan society and what challenges come with growing up in the traditional setting.  I was incredibly moved by the simplicity yet deep profoundness of Professor Wangusa’s shortest poem titled Trinity Tree. Before reading it he unveiled a little history behind the poem stating that it had taken him 20 years to write it, and that this poem best embodies his goal which is “to leave behind a body of inventive writing which communicates to my readers a sense of Christian values fictionalized and poeticized”:

 

Trinity Tree

By Timothy Wangusa

 

The Father in the root;
The Son in the shoot;
The Spirit in the fruit.

 

Extra, extra read all about it!
1

January 19th, 2010
News

I know this is a bit delayed, but if you feel so inclined please check out the newspaper article below. It was featured in the Wausau Daily Herald on January 1st, and was written by the incredibly gifted Keith Uhlig.

 

 

Haiti
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January 14th, 2010
Music & Video

A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck off the coast of Haiti on January 12. Thousands are feared dead and countless buildings have collapsed in what geologists describe as the strongest earthquake to hit the region in more than 200 years.

 

The earthquake is feared to have killed more than 100,000 and Haitian officials have stated that it is possibly much higher. Most of the damage was in the heavily populated capital of Porta-au-Prince.

 

You can help keep people alive.

 

Our friends at Food for the Hungry are working with their partners on the ground, providing the following to survivors:

 

* Water filtration systems
* Water purification tablets
* Kitchen kits and cooking supplies
* Flash lights, blankets & medical supplies
* Hygiene kits
* Temporary shelter tarps and plastic

 

Without this immediate disaster relief, infections and disease will spread, killing countless more Haitians. Food For The Hungry already have a head start with workers mobilized on the ground. But they urgently need additional supplies and support to save more lives.

 

Your gift of any size now will provide what they need to bring life-saving help to Haitians in need. Donate now at www.fh.org

 

While you are making your donation please check out some wonderful music below by Altieri Dorival, the father of Haitian Twoubadou music.