Music played a major role during Eritrea’s thirty years struggle for independence. The annual Bologna festival was a phenomenal event during the 1970s that brought together Eritreans and friends of Eritrea from across the diaspora. It brought a sense of national unity, through music and drama, between nine ethnic groups, that were otherwise diverse in ethnicity and language. It was the symbol of pride and triggered hope for the never-ending struggle. I can never forget watching the The Bologna Festival videos as a kid, the most memorable being the 1990 Festival. My favorite songs were Fatima’s, a freedom fighter and popular singer. Ok, so her Tigre songs did not have a koboro beat but still enormously effective. However were these art forms entirely sincere? Looking back of course it was propaganda. The unfounded unity of Eritreans, at the time, undoubtedly foreshowed a picture of trouble to come. Though I would strongly argue that this was music that had a purpose: to inspire and embody a generation of Eritreans to fight for full sovereignty and safeguard the rights of the Eritrean people.
The strong emphases on music pre- Independence was a necessity that strengthened the struggle by increasing support and unifying citizens of different background. You only need to ask any Eritrean, who lived through the struggle, of a favourite tune during the revolution and you will witness the true impact of music of the past. Perhaps a tragic nostalgia will emerge. Having said that the situation post -independence is entirely different. The power of music on citizens is now used to manipulate and even brainwash society. One lyric that comes to mind was Yohannes Tikabo’s anniversary song “Berhan kuoinu beka”, which translates to ” It’s all bright, that’s it”. The once so popular and charming songs expressing hope and uncompromising human dignity was a thing of the past. You can immediately hear the insincerity of the words aimed at controlling the population’s thinking.
The infamous YPFDJ (the diaspora youth group controlled by the only Party PFDJ) is a perfect example of the koboro’s power. Festivals and parties organized by the embassy itself have proven to be a hit with the diaspora youth. The same youth born and raised in a democracy, still controlled by the propaganda from their country of origin… Bizarre… The power of music, in Eritrea’s case the koboro has no limits. Knowing the historical significance of the influence of art in Eritrea, the only way to threaten such a deadly power is by creating a moderate alternative to weaken it.