West Papuan Independence leader
Benny Wenda has collaborated with former members of Reggae King, Lucky Dube's
band.
'Free West Papua' is written and
produced by Thuthukani Cele, now of the One People Band, with vocals from
Sister Phumi Maduna, Thuthkani Cele and a very powerful message by Nobel Peace Prize Nominee Benny Wenda.
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| Benny Wenda:” Music contains the human spirit, so music can bring the change, not only to a political campaign, or a human rights campaign, but music can bring change to opinions and to people's mind sets . . .” |
In West Papua all freedom songs
are banned, along with raising the national flag, the 'Morning Star' which can
carry a 15 year prison sentence...or worse. Over 500,000 indigenous West
Papuans have been killed, imprisoned or disappeared over the last 50 years in a
“silent genocide”. People live in fear for their lives. A media ban as well as
human rights organisations being prevented from working there means that West
Papua doesn't get much coverage in mainstream media.
Lucky Dube's songs however, are
played, and LOUDLY at pro independence demonstrations on the streets of the
capital, Jayapura and in every town and on cellphones across the land.
“We always demonstrate with Lucky
Dube's song playing because the song makes everyone strong for the fight, with
more energy, with the spirit of Dube, because his songs are about protesting,
for everyone to live happily with no discrimination” explains a West Papuan
activist.
Back in 2007, on the day of Lucky Dube's funeral, people marched on the streets of Jayapura in West Papua. It was
a national day of mourning. The West Papuan independence movement had lost a
hero.
“I was in Jayapura when Dube
died. We had a long march and then a celebration of his life”, West Papuan
activist.
When Mr Wenda met with Sister
Phumi and Thuthukani to tell them about Dube’s spirit and his music's fame in
West Papua, they had no idea just how much his spirit was alive in this
Melanesian land. Magic was made that day.
“Music contains the human spirit,
so music can bring the change, not only to a political campaign, or a human
rights campaign, but music can bring change to opinions and to people's mind
sets… For me it is very important. The song can contribute a big part to the
struggle itself. Freedom, justice, democracy & independence” Benny Wenda.
Please play it loud and share it
far and wide