When it comes to the far reaching influences of our Ghanaian culture, nothing surprises me, -honest! Via Google (thank heavens for La Google) I’ve discovered untold coincidences -far too numerous to print. From the Kromanti (Maroons) in Accompong Jamaica, to Queen Abena (Aura/Abla) Poku’s children in Ivory Coast, to the Cromanti Funerary Music of Carriacou, Akans in Java, Ashanti Kings in the Seychelles, the numerous Sankofa marked burial coffins found in NYC from the 19th century, our shared names with the people of Suriname, The annual Kwakoe festival in Amsterdam, our people in Burkina Faso, the Awassa dance of Guyana -to the unfortunate similarity regarding the Nazi swastika and one of our Adinkra symbols. -Nope, nothing surprises me folks. Take our nursery rhyme, ‘Kye Kye Kule’ -and the way it has travelled through time, crossed borders and can now be hear in the playgrounds of America, in Puerto Rican homes and in the classrooms of Jamaica -fabulous. I’ve known forever that globally -our food has (unbeknownst to many, including ourselves), inspired many cuisines in the new world but now I know that orally -we can also be found in cultures that bare little resemblance to ours. -But I’m always amazed at the way we just sit and let others claim it as their own, -perhaps we have nothing to prove. Enjoy the following film clips
Puerto Rican musicians Hector Lavoe,Willie Colon, and their band perform "Che Che Cole" and "Machito" in a nightclub.
I feel like I understood every word, I wonder why?
Marc Anthony…
Puerto Rican musicians Hector Lavoe,Willie Colon, and their band perform "Che Che Cole" and "Machito" in a nightclub.
I feel like I understood every word, I wonder why?
Marc Anthony…
I have noticed this song all around the world too. Most people do think it's from Ghana originally. I would like to post this on my site of International music. Can you please let me know what language it's in and if it means anything. I also say some say it's a nonsense song.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Lisa from Mama Lisa's World
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ReplyDeleteRather it being a song that "others" claim as their own it may be more of the perseverance of the African culture that was brought to places such as Puerto Rico during the African diaspora. Looking at the context and time period that hector lavoe and willie Colon released Che Che cole it highlights the black empowerment and black pride movement that was happening in Puerto Rico.
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