By Ali Kamutsitsi Gunde.
Sunday October 20, 2024
Sam Max Jah the earliest known individual in the country to embrace and spread Rastafari teachings from the late 1980s and retired radio reggae show host Geoffrey Kazembe, will attend the Burning Spear’s show, courtesy of the Lost History Foundation (LHF).
This gesture by LHF comes in recognition of the pioneering contribution by Sam Max Jah to the Rastafari movement in Malawi and instrumental role by Geoffrey Kazembe in popularizing reggae music in the 1990s through the radio airwaves.
The legendary Burning Spear, hailing from Jamaica, will perform at the CIVO Stadium in Lilongwe on Saturday, 26 October 2024.
LHF, deeply invested in preserving and documenting the history of reggae and Rastafari way of life in Malawi, has sponsored Sam Max Jah’s ticket, transportation from Nsanama in Machinga district to Lilongwe, and accommodation in Lilongwe.
Sam Max Jah’s journey is emblematic of the struggles and triumphs of those who embraced Rastafari faith in Malawi long before it became widely recognized. His story offers a window into the roots of a movement that may inspire generations.
During a phone interview with Sam Max Jah on how he felt receiving sponsorship from the LHF to attend the show, he expressed his gratitude, saying, “Like many other Rastafarians, my journey into Rastafari in the 1980s began with reggae music, where I found core messages of spiritual and African consciousness. Among the artists whose reggae music inspired and guided me in this respect was Burning Spear. It is, therefore, a great honor to have this opportunity to witness Burning Spear perform live right here in Malawi.”
Attendees at the show will have the unique opportunity to meet with Sam Max Jah. He will be available for interactions with the audience, sharing his journey as a Rastafarian and offering autographs.
Geoffrey Kazembe is widely recognized for his instrumental role in popularizing reggae music in Malawi, particularly through his long-running Sundown Reggae Show on Radio Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), which began in the early 1990s. His efforts introduced generations of MBC radio listeners to the reggae music and, notably, to the music of Burning Spear.
By sponsoring Geoffrey Kazembe’s attendance, LHF acknowledges his immense contribution to the reggae movement in Malawi and his lifelong dedication to spreading the music and messages of reggae artists like Burning Spear. This show will give Geoffrey Kazembe an opportunity to witness the legend perform while also reconnecting with the roots of a musical journey he shared with listeners for a couple of years.
LHF is currently developing two major book projects: ‘The History of Reggae Music in Malawi’ and ‘The History of the Rastafari Movement in Malawi’. Both works feature Sam Max Jah prominently, tracing his pioneering role in the evolution of Rastafari movement.
The two projects also dwell on Geoffrey Kazembe’s role in the popularizing of reggae music in Malawi through the radio airwaves. These two projects will be accompanied by two video documentaries respectively, offering a comprehensive look at how reggae music and Rastafari movement have shaped Malawi’s cultural landscape.
According to Dr Paliani Chinguwo the Research Director of LHF, the gesture by LHF is about honoring figures who have left an indelible mark on Malawi’s spiritual and cultural history. He remarked, “There is a tendency to wait until our heroes have passed on before we honor them. As a society, we must move away from that practice. Sam Max Jah was a pioneer, not only in embracing the Rastafari faith but also in spreading its message to others in the country. Additionally, he played a key role in the development of reggae music in the early 1990s, using a sound system equipment to popularize reggae music at various venues in Blantyre.”
Dr Paliani Chinguwo also emphasized the importance of recognizing the contributions of retired radio reggae show host Geoffrey Kazembe, whose ‘Sundown Reggae Show’ on Radio MBC brought reggae music, and especially the works of Burning Spear, to Malawian audiences. “Geoffrey Kazembe’s efforts in the 1990s helped cement reggae’s place in Malawi’s cultural landscape, and his unwavering passion for the genre influenced countless listeners in Malawi and abroad,” Dr Paliani Chinguwo added.
By supporting both Sam Max Jah and Geoffrey Kazembe to attend the Burning Spear’s show on October 26, LHF seeks to celebrate their roles in shaping Malawi’s reggae and Rastafari movements while they are still alive.