Butterfly Wedi Tikabo’s song in New York

Butterfly Wedi Tikabo’s song in New York

And here we go again…, Wedi Tikabo’s song came alive in New York during the Presidential gathering as it did in Asmara Stadium in May 24, 2011 independence day. The song Tsim-b-la-lie (Butterfly) by Yohannes Tikabo, due to its strong lyrical and musical appeal shined in Manhattan center New York City. Even though I was not personally there, the experience seemed fun, joyful, exciting and felt the love of my people in one place for one purpose. As H.E. President Isaias Afwerki and delegates entered the Manhattan Center they were received with standing ovation and cheerful roar a show of pleasure and satisfaction. The President gathering must have been gratifying and satisfying for the leaders and participants as they cheered the moment-away accompanied by great songs that included Butterfly.

What is it that makes most his song unique?

I will start with some: --- Catchy melody (hooks)
--- Lyric with strong Eritrean appeal
--- The character (of the song) has a strong desirable personality
--- Strength (very clear and powerful message)

For me, a great song has to resonate in some way in my memory, either lyrically or musically, long after I've heard it. Great songs come back year after year and evoke old emotions anew and sometime find something new, or rediscover the original. It is the harmonic blending of the sound, the story and the rhythm that evoke emotions and arouse my imagination. Wedi Tikabo’s lyrics have a vivid metamorphosis and images that transcend time and place. Not only does it rhyme; it has a strong rhythmic feel to its verses.

It is eight minutes long, complex and pleasant. When I first heard it was after H.E. President Isaias Afewerki concluded his speech during the 20Th anniversary of Eritrean independence. It was a dramatic finish to a lively program that brought the audience to their feet. As he was performing, the lighting was adequate; the set design was simple but effective; and the pixilated life images used in place of back projector -- great idea.

Ultimately, the music and lyric was accessible; oddly familiar yet refreshing; playful but serious; and appealing to Eritreans. And despite the meaningful contradictions and complex mishmash of lyrical styles, he kept the crowd captivated by a sensation that they were witnessing something entirely new. The lighting was beautifully matching the sound, creating a sensory texture that jabbed straight in the spinal cord. Definitely, a warm rush of blood to the head, causing neck hair to stand up along the way…

It was a brilliant show on beautiful winter. Sometimes it is all timing-a song hits you at a time of change, attaches itself readily and becomes associated with that experience of changing time. Wedi Tekabo comes along and resuscitates us with a refreshingly positive, yet solid, dose of a new metamorphosis that define our strength and unity under one Allah(Mesgid) and God(Debre).

Butterfly: in short can be defined as Emerging. Even though I am not able to sort his lyrical message without knowing what was going on through his mind; allow me to express my personal assessment of his Lyrics.

Simply, Wadi Tekabo, as a singer, song writer and performer has managed to convey his message by symbolizing chronological transitions (metamorphosis) of a butterfly and, how it deals with its formation, growth and development phases. Those stages represent how Eritrea survived through challenging period and emerged a sovereign state because of the patience, integrity, responsibility, religious harmony, synchronization of national development and national Defense and sacrifices of Warsai and Yekealo. Wedi Tekabo managed to direct us to be vigilant and that our umbrella should be impenetrable from any kind of acidic rain, temporary flashing lightning, roaring thunder that simply fades-out even if Eritrea, the Butterfly, was encircled and entrapped by traitors from within and outside by evil thoughts and deeds.

Finally, what makes our Independence Day anniversaries, national holiday celebrations, organizing committee, like the Manhatan Center, Eid Al Fitir and Kudus Yohannes unique is a combination of many factors. It is not just the obvious ones such as a great dance, music, performance, attentive audience etc… But it is also an opportunity to highlight the importance of event organizers, music writers and lyricists, instrument players, dancers and security officers and the like that contribute mightily to the success of these events but go on unrecognized.

TV ERI, thank you and congratulation on the success for putting on an inspiring events, anniversaries and educational programs to our homes inside and outside the country. And also my thanks go to every singers and musicians who always contribute patriotic national songs and participated in various occasions from within and all the talented singers and musicians from abroad.

Long live Eritrea!

Tesfai Abraham (Asbu)

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