Sights and sounds from Sierra Leone
Luke Wassermann is a US citizen and music publisher who takes pride and interest in recording and publishing indigenous music of Sierra Leonean artists in the likes of Sorie Kondi, Mende of Moyamba, Dances of the Secret Society, Susu of Lungi, and Folk Songs of Sherbro Island. Luke’s website promotes not only Sierra Leonean artists but other artists around the world. I’ve listened to and reviewed more than half a dozen of his published music CDs recorded in Sierra Leone. It is a good thing that these songs and music could be kept for posterity, even after the artists have expired. This is a gold mine that Sierra Leoneans too could conduct a study, if not take pride in researching and documenting our rich diverse culture and history. The publisher contacted me to express his thoughts on the nation’s 50th Independence Anniversary Celebrations. Though brief, his message and pictures speak volumes.
“April 27, 2011 marked the 50th anniversary of independence of Sierra Leone. I spent the day in the province where I live, in Lungi. Everyone was in a jovial mood, and I joined the late afternoon parade of masked devils, drummers, and revelers starting from Masoila, past the airport, and back to my town of Tintafor at sunset. It was a great day in the history of Sierra Leone and I had a lot of fun. I’ve never witnessed anything like it in my life actually. Here are a few pictures and a sound clips from the festivities.”
AUDIO: https://www.yousendit.com/download/MEtTWmdqMGNwM2xFQlE9PQ
By Roland Bankole Marke, USA
Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!
© 2011, https:. All rights reserved.