Den Mi Wesu (In My Bones) by Michael Wanga
Den Mi Wesu – “in my bones” in Papiamentu – is a ‘deep dive’ into the origins of spiritual experience and how rhythmic expressions strengthen it. An excavation of instruments, voice and movement with which Michael wants to expose his own roots. Rhythm and spirituality belong together. They connect us with the primal power within ourselves. Rhythm is not taught to us, but passed on from the musical traditions of our ancestors. Sound and movement are the carriers of history in Afro-Caribbean culture. They contain the essence of the spiritual experience that is shared all over the world, through meditation, worship or prayers.
Michael, born in Curacao, has always been told that his family comes from two strong tribes. On his father's side, the indigenous population that managed to survive on the Caribbean islands and on his mother's side, the freed slaves that were brought there from Africa. Despite his African and indigenous roots, Michael grew up with the influence of Western European beliefs. This brought him into conflict with himself, as a modern-day consequence of colonialism. A cultural clash that is expressed in music, from gospel to tambú.
As part of the new generation of descendants of the Afro-Caribbean diaspora, Michael Wanga is searching for a connection with his ancestors. A connection that he draws from rhythm and spirituality, for which he wants to dig deep into the stories and sounds that have shaped him through generations.
Negropont - A performance in Papiamentu and English.
It is 2050. Tensions between Curaçao and the Netherlands are running high - poverty and unemployment on the island are at an all-time high. The zeitgeist is triggering movements on the island, creating a new collective consciousness. Is the island ready for a new direction?
The Papiamentu album Negropont is the sequel to Juny Martina's previous project Destrukshon, in which he explored the past again and creatively described the uprising of May 30, 1969 from his own perspective. Both the feelings that lived within the community and everyday issues were addressed. His latest work, the immersive album and concert 'Negropont', takes a dystopian look at the future of Curaçao - but what should we do to guide the transition to the new Yu Di Korsou in the right direction?
Negropont delves deep into the complex identity and future of the 'Yu Di Kòrsou' and Juny weaves his personal experiences into a creative investigative story with cultural and political statements. He mixes cultural genres such as Seú, Tambú, and Müzik di Zumbi with HipHop to create interesting post-genre music - and at the same time razor-sharp lyrics that address the urgency of the changes that need to take place. In doing so, he also shows the beauty of what makes the Yu Di Korsou a Yu Di Korsou.
With the immersive concert Negropont, Juny Martina creates an Afro-futuristic world around his music, in which he creates a unique, hybrid live experience together with performers Osawe, Noëlgel, Sjenks and Redyson.
