Wokomaatani, Faith rock Winehouse
Some events are like gems, rare and scarce. This was clear when musician Faith Mussa shared the platform with poet Benedicto Wokomaatani Malunga at the Winehouse in Blantyre on Sunday.
It was a rare afternoon as deep poetry met glorious music. Not too often can a sizeable audience get such a treat from the masters of art in their own right.
How else can you explain the signature poem Ndidzakutengera Kunyanja Ligineti coming face to face with a touch of Mdidi and so much in between?
Mussa, who teamed up with Omex Chimpeni on percussions and joined later by Gresham Mokoena on keyboards, also dished out such songs as Desperate, Kusilira Zili Zonse and Nditumeni.
His surprise pull was Aphiri, a song about a returnee who came back with an empty suitcase. Here is a song that was banned during the one-party era.
Mussa was over the moon: “I am happy to perform with my registrar at the University of Malawi. He is a giant. And to be here in these hard Covid-19 times is so humbling.”
Wokomaatani, who was introducing his upcoming collection Ulaliki wa Moto, was equally elated.
“It is an honour performing with faithful Faith. Art brings us together,” he said.
The poet also brought poems from his previous collection Siananso Awa and some poems from the 29-cut collection.
Other performances were from Annemarie Quinn, poet Jane, Felix Jere and Desiree.
Winehouse publicist Emmanuel Maliro said the acoustic and poetry afternoons are staying put.
“We want to give patrons rare afternoons. There will be surprises for those who love laid-back performances,” he said.
