Legendary musician Soldier Lucius Banda, who is currently receiving medical attention in South Africa, has said that musicians have a sacred task to create music that uplifts, heals and inspires hope.
The ‘Mabala’ and ‘Down Babylon’ maker, who has 20 albums to his acclaim, said this on Friday as he joined fellow musicians in the country and all over the world in celebrating World Music Day.
“We are the medicine men and women of our time, called to dish out melodies that soothe the savage beast of despair. Our music must be the sunshine that breaks through the clouds of sadness, the rainbow that follows the storm,” he said.
Lucius, who said he is getting better said music is more than just a celebration.
“It is also a balm for our souls. In these trying times, when depression and suicide seem to be on the rise, music has the power to heal and comfort us. It is a reminder that we are not alone in out struggles, that someone out there understands our pain and is singing our tears away,” he said.
Lucius said he would have loved to celebrate with fellow musicians and the country through performances.
“All I can do now is to wish my friends, on this special day, the very best. We celebrate the rhythms that make our hearts beat as one. From the drums of Gule Wamkulu in Kasungu to the sounds of Valimba in Nsanje to the afrobeat of Nigeria to the reggae in Jamaica, music has power to unite us across tribes and borders,” he said.
Lucius said the country needs to celebrate World Music Day with a renewed sense of purpose.
“Let us sing, dance and make music that heals the brokenhearted, that binds up the wounds of our souls and that reminds us of the beauty and wonder of life,” he said.
The legendary musician added: “may the music of Africa forever be the language of our shared humanity, our shared healing and our shared hope”.
Several other musicians also sent in their messages on World Music Day on Friday and they included Wendy Harawa, Erik Paliani, Lawi and Sangie.
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