That Song Found Me Here!

Our handbook suggested that we not bring mp3 players because “we are in Tanzania to be in Tanzania.” Translated and put in context it was referring to the fact that we should be tuned into our environment, not to mention the fact that having a piece of gear like that marks us as a tourist, a target for robbery, and puts a visual wealth barrier between us and those around us. There have been numerous times on this trip that if I had closed my eyes, what I heard was no different than that at home. Driving through the market district in Arusha, I could hear “Drive Me Crazy” by Britney Spears or in the dala dala “Love in This Club” by Chris Brown was being blasted. It is such a contrast to what I expected. I was hoping to hear some lovely Tanzanian tunes. Occasionally they float by my ears, yet from the time I wake up until I go to bed, at any given time I can hear, “No Air,” “Umbrella,” or some other catchy Top 40 tune of the Rap/R&B variety being played.

I think what was the strangest and disconcerting was my ride on the Dar Express. I was contentedly watching the countryside roll by and then I heard it…”I Kissed A Girl” by Katy Perry. I distinctly remember thinking as the song came on the radio on the way to the airport, “I’m so glad I’m not going to have to hear that song for months!” It found me in Tanzania and interrupted my nice thoughts!

On a deeper note, I’ve had to think about the impact this style of music brings with it. Tanzania, Dar Es Salaam especially, carries an evident Western influence. I have to wonder what effect this rush of media is having on mainstream or more traditional Tanzanian culture. I’ve seen the influx of media even in my few short years in American culture – the progression of musical lyrics, the slow slide down in visual content and ads popping up everywhere for everything. . I wonder if things will follow the same path here? It’s been said that input equals output. If Tanzanian youth are being exposed to more outside influences than ever, will their lifestyle quickly follow suit or is the culture here strong enough to withstand the Western media influence? I hear the difference in Tanzanian hip hop and what is being “imported.” The lyrics communicate a different message and the videos are far different. The Tanzanian style reflects more wholesome values. I’m sure that there are exceptions, but I have seen very few.

I hear and see Western media and its influence, specifically music in this case, in so many places. I think one of the most memorable was in Eluwai. We are in the middle of the boma and one of the men had a radio turned on and I caught a few notes of a catchy pop tune I know. It was more than out of place. It was alien in the setting. I’m sure to them it isn’t a big thing, but it was a complete jaw dropper for me.