Political Science
Mali: Restoring Peace to a Peaceful Nation
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Location
Indianapolis, IN
Subject Area
Political Science
Start Date
11-4-2014 9:00 AM
End Date
11-4-2014 10:30 AM
Sponsor
Karen Burgard (Franklin College)
Description
Mali is a traditionally peaceful country located in northwestern Africa. Throughout its history, Mali has rarely been involved in any wars. However, when the Tuareg people began fighting for independent recognition in the north, a civil war broke out. The war brought bouts of violence to the country until, in 2012, a group of Tuareg rebels overthrew the Malian army and claimed northern regions as their own nation known as Azawad. But, Mali still struggles with the Turaeg leaders on control of Azawad.
Malian citizens want to see the civil war end, and they use music to express this desire. Amadou and Mariam use their music to advocate for peace and to call for the unification of all Africa. The songLa Paix, French forPeace, calls for the nations surrounding Mali to help the country restore peace. Through lyrical and musical analysis ofLa Paix,I show the ways in which Amadou and Mariam remind Malians and other Africans of their common ancestry. This common ancestry is meant to inspire Mali and other African peoples to put aside their differences to work together to restore peace. Amadou and Mariam's use of tribal language, tribal music, and references to other African countries symbolizes their desire to live in a peaceful country and on a peaceful continent. And,La Paix shows the progressive power of music; that is, music has the power to change minds and promote peace in a world ravaged by war.
Mali: Restoring Peace to a Peaceful Nation
Indianapolis, IN
Mali is a traditionally peaceful country located in northwestern Africa. Throughout its history, Mali has rarely been involved in any wars. However, when the Tuareg people began fighting for independent recognition in the north, a civil war broke out. The war brought bouts of violence to the country until, in 2012, a group of Tuareg rebels overthrew the Malian army and claimed northern regions as their own nation known as Azawad. But, Mali still struggles with the Turaeg leaders on control of Azawad.
Malian citizens want to see the civil war end, and they use music to express this desire. Amadou and Mariam use their music to advocate for peace and to call for the unification of all Africa. The songLa Paix, French forPeace, calls for the nations surrounding Mali to help the country restore peace. Through lyrical and musical analysis ofLa Paix,I show the ways in which Amadou and Mariam remind Malians and other Africans of their common ancestry. This common ancestry is meant to inspire Mali and other African peoples to put aside their differences to work together to restore peace. Amadou and Mariam's use of tribal language, tribal music, and references to other African countries symbolizes their desire to live in a peaceful country and on a peaceful continent. And,La Paix shows the progressive power of music; that is, music has the power to change minds and promote peace in a world ravaged by war.