Bridging the France Rwanda gap with music

GEORGE KAGAME AND CHARLOTTE KINGSMAN meet the men defying stereotypes On August 5, the government released the Mucyo report which officially brought to light the role of France in the 1994 Genocide. The relationship between France and Rwanda is at its lowest for may years. Rwanda was not one of the colonies of France in Africa, instead it was a Belgian colony. France’s interest in Rwanda can be said to have been motivated by the French desire to have their language spoken here as part of what was once known throughout colonial Africa as the assimilation policy. While French and Rwandan leaders are trying out differences, the exact opposite is happening among youths of both countries. Antoine Chavendelier, a 28 year old from France and a group of Rwandans have formed a band known as Uhuru Brothers. Uhuru is Kiswahili for ‘freedom’. According to Chevallier, the Uhuru Brothers are brothers of freedom “because each of us comes with different background and feeds the group with their own unique and original style.” He says his inspiration to start Uhuru Brothers grew out of his friendship with Jean Marie Manzi, a Rwandan musician residing in Kiyovu. “I met Jean Marie; he used to invite many friends to play at his house in the Kiyovu. From our friendship grew the band. Some of them were very professional and inspired to do something for music. Even if I was not here for a musical career, I was willing to help them.” Uhuru Brothers play rumba, East African reggae and salsa but Chevallier says roots-rock-raggae is their specialty. “I like Rwanda, my motivation to stay here has a lot to do with the Uhuru Brothers. It’s a project close to my heart. One day I hope to see the band succeed to great levels.” “Rwanda is one of the few countries where it is hard to go when you are French. I was really saddened to see the Franco-Rwandan cultural centre closed but I know that if I’m here it means that Rwanda wanted me and accepted me.” Chevallier is concerned by the less than impressive standards of Rwanda’s musical industry today. He says that most musicians in the country are heavily influenced by U.S. hip hop and many rely on playback to perform their own songs. He adds that in France the audience would pelt eggs and tomatoes at artists performing on playback. The producer believes that Rwandans love music but they do not fully appreciate it. “There are currently very few options because there are few musical instruments in the country. It is one of the basic observations which makes me want to help develop live music in Rwanda.” He adds that the poor state of music in Rwanda explains why most high profile artists that perform in the country are from abroad. The undeveloped potential of Rwanda’s music industry has been caused by a weak private sector in the country says Chevallier. He says the private sector can contribute to the success of local musicians so long as it promotes a modern but Rwandan music. Congo, Ivory Coast and Ethiopia have managed to get ahead in the African musical industry and export their music well beyond the continent’s borders. But to get there, Chevallier says, Rwanda must protect and promote its artistic heritage, exploit it as a proof of national reconciliation. Chavndlier says that Rwanda’s music now has a richer heritage because the country is at the crossroads of two cultures strongly influenced by ex-colonies: “From this fact emerges a varied musical culture in which artists can easily alternate rumba and reggae. What is more, I have met extremely talented singers and musicians despite the lack of musical training available.” Ends