Country Music…in Africa
24 November 2009 at 09:45 Gavin 10 comments
By Gavin Sword, KF9 Rwanda
The music of Africa conjures images of native dancers and handmade instruments – the drums, rhythms and dancing are mythical. Knowing I was coming to Africa, I was so looking forward to hearing the native music of Rwanda. Music is one of the purest ways I know to experience and appreciate new cultures and connect with people.
During my time here, I have had a few occasions of hearing the native music of Rwanda and it was wonderful. A church service and wedding ceremony I attended with traditional dance and songs were particularly memorable. However, at my MFI, the radio plays pretty much all day long on the computer of my officemate and the thing is, it’s not African music at all. This gentleman has a penchant for country music – and the truth is his brand of music has really gotten me hooked.
Country is a musical genre heretofore overlooked by this Kiva Fellow, but over the past two months I have learned the lyrics of more country hits than you can imagine. A few toe-tappers come to mind and I am going to try to relate them to microfinance because I have listened to these songs every single day I’ve been here and I’ve had time to make some connections, however tenuous.
The Rhinestone Cowboy, by Glen Campbell is a song about a down-on-his-luck fellow who dreams of bigger things in life,
“There’s been a load of compromisin’ on the road to my horizon…but I’m gonna be where the lights are shinin’ on me…Like a Rhinestone Cowbow….getting cards and letters from people I don’t even know. Well I really don’t mind the rain, and the smile can hide all the pain, but you’re down when you’re ridin’ the train that’s takin’ the long way…and I dream of the things I’ll do -with a subway token and a dollar tucked in my shoe…”
Those are some great lyrics! Don’t we all dream of bigger things? Many of the borrowers I have met share that same pluck and ambition – maybe not for the bright lights and hit records, but they have their own big dreams and are working so hard to reach them. Not exactly like the Rhinestone Cowboy, but there are some rich metaphorical similarities to be gleaned, no doubt about it.
And who can forget Dolly Parton’s stirring rendition of “9 to 5” – is there a more apt song about the life of a frustrated working man/woman in any land with hopes of a better future? As Dolly laments,
“You’re in the same boat with a lot of your friends, waitin’ for the day your ship’ll come in and the tide’s gonna turn and it’s all gonna go your way…”
Hats off to our Kiva borrowers because they work for themselves, not having to deal with bosses that ‘just use your mind and never give you credit…and let you dream just to watch them shatter – just a step on the boss man’s ladder…” Hooray for entrepreneurship and working for one’s self!
Finally, Ronny Milsap’s “I Wouldn’t Have Missed it for the World”… This brings to mind my own experience of being here as a Kiva Fellow in Rwanda;
“Our paths may never cross again…I’m glad for all the good times…cause you brought me so much sunshine…I wouldn’t have missed it for the world…I wouldn’t trade one memory…cause you mean that much to me…I wouldn’t have missed it for the world”
That Ronny Milsap really has a way with words. My time here has changed my life for sure. I have learned something of microfinance and what it can and can’t do. I appreciate the complexities and nuances and appreciate more just how much I don’t know. It has been an eye opening experience and one that “I wouldn’t have missed for the world…” . And, I know when I go home, my I-Tunes collection will be permanently changed. I will wistfully listen to country music and think of …Africa.
Entry filed under: KF9 (Kiva Fellows 9th Class), Rwanda, Vision Finance Company s.a. (VFC), a partner of World Vision International. Tags: blogsherpa, country music, Gavin Sword, KF9, Kiva Fellows, Rwanda, Vision Finance Company, www.kiva.org.
1. Rhinestone Cowboy Song | 6 June 2011 at 02:44
[...] Country Music…in Africa « Kiva Stories from the Field The Rhinestone Cowboy by Glen Campbell is a song about a down-on-his-luck fellow who dreams of bigger things in life, “There's been a load of compromisin' on the road to my horizon…but I'm gonna be where the lights are [...]
2. ALEX | 27 November 2009 at 20:19
Gavin,
Haha I myself had an encounter with country music while road tripping across the midwest this past summer. I got to Tennessee and the live country just took me by surprise. I will always think of that moment when eating BBQ, hearing country on the radio, or enjoying a Shiner Bock. Proud to be a KF9 and amongst your rank. /ALEX
3. Judith Love | 26 November 2009 at 11:16
Keep up the great work that you are doing.
love,
aunt “Zooie”
4. FM, Aide de Camp | 25 November 2009 at 14:59
Another wonderful entry ! I love this blog and your insights Gavin ! The Kiva blog – and particularly your postings – make for some of the most inspiriing reading I have ever had the pleasure of ! Once again congratulations to you, Christian, Savilia and Leslie for sharing this noble experience with us all ! Truly Remarkable ! ~ I will say however, that you’ve always harbored a quiet appreciation for Country & Western music ! I recall that Kenny Rogers was never overlooked if discovered in an old and lonely jukebox! I know it will be hard to leave Kiva and Rwanda, but we look forward to hearing about your adventures when you and the rest of the family return! We miss you ! Godspeed.
5. Leslie | 25 November 2009 at 04:17
When you play country music backwards, the girl comes back, the dog comes back, and it stops raining.
6. ruthellengruber | 25 November 2009 at 01:04
Hi — I keep a blog about country music and the “imaginary wild west” in Europe (and also elsewhere outside the US). Thought you might be interested in these posts about Africa: http://sauerkrautcowboys.blogspot.com/search?q=africa
7. Laura Buhler | 24 November 2009 at 14:14
* not Gisenyi. It was Ruhengeri.
8. Gavin | 24 November 2009 at 21:34
I’m going there on Friday (then to Gisenyi for weekend!) – country & western on the radio all the way, i’m certain.
9. Laura Buhler | 24 November 2009 at 14:14
When Gervais and I were driving to Gisenyi one time, he had country music playing. Usually NOT a fan of the genre, I tolerated it because I thought it was so cute, and quirky, that country was so popular there. Then, Shania Twain came on. I smiled, looked at Gervais, with whom I had never been able to communicate beyond smiles and morning Mwaramutses, and yelled “CANADA” and pointed to the radio. “Canada?”, he replied. “Canada!” and he smiled and pointed at me. For once we were able to actually tell the other something about ourselves. All through this ridiculous song… probably “I feel like a woman”.
10. Linda Fine | 24 November 2009 at 12:49
You area very blessed man and deserve all good things in your life. I am priviledged to have had an opportunity to work with you. Happy Thanksgiving to you, Leslie and your children. Love, Linda