Likoma residents plead for more music shows
Usually, the onset of summer in the country attracts more shows across the country’s cities, including its districts. But for the people of Likoma and Chizumulu islands, whether summer or not, music shows are almost non-existent.
This year, only three shows have taken place at the island.
Apart from the Likoma Summer Festival which took place last weekend, other shows were performances by gospel musicians Evans Meleka and Martha Mituka in June and August respectively.
As of last year, only Mzuzu’s Pamlonga Band branched to the island on their way to Mozambique.
For the people of Likoma, if at all there is a show, then it is either a choir festival or activities by artists from the same district. Random interviews with residents of the island indicated that musicians from the mainland visit the island for performances at least once in a year―sometimes it goes even to two years.
“We even count the number shows that have taken place here. Apart from Meleka and Mituka, we also had Skeffa Chimoto in 2012, Anglican Voices in 2007, Saul Chembezi in 2008 and Davie Kampala in 2003,” said Simeone Manda.
Wanangwa Thapale, born and bred at the island, said the only show he would live to remember is the last Likoma Summer Festival.
“The only show I would say has taken place here is this summer festival because most of the artists who have been coming were either just passing by on their way to Mozambique or were here as guest artist during other activities,” he said.
Thapale cited the case of Meleka who visited the island upon invitation by the Anglican Church’s Choir, Madalitso, which was launching an album.
“We don’t blame them though. We know that the challenge is with transport. But we would also love to have performances at least once a month,” he said.
Various musicians told On the Arts that unreliable mode of transport to Likoma is the main reason they fail to perform at the island.
Acoustic artist Boniface Ndamera of Lucky Stars, who performed for the first at the island during the Likoma Summer Festival, expressed regret for spending his 63 years without visiting the island.
“Those who promote us through performances should consider organising shows at the island. The show I performed there was witnessed by a huge audience. Although it is a small island, patronage is huge; almost at par with other venues as Nkopola,” he said.
He added that tranquillity that comes with the beauty of the island is unique as compared to other venues which artists are used to performing.
Gospel musician Mlaka Maliro performed at the island last weekend during the summer festival since late 80s. But then, in the 80s, he visited the island with a church choir, and not in his capacity as Mlaka Maliro of Maloto Sounds.
Urban musician Piksy was surprised that government has not heavily invested to provide alternative means of transport to supplement the MV Ilala as a way of opening up the island to the mainland.
Possibly the Likoma Summer Festival has just opened up the eyes of artists to have a different view of the island.
