Black Bear Moon Music and Cultural Project

Over the last decade, the members of the Black Bear Moon Rhythm Ensemble, based in New Hampshire, USA, have dedicated ourselves to studying and performing the traditional music of West Africa, primarily as a means of celebrating culture and diversity and (hopefully!) enriching our own communities.

Through our efforts in spreading an awareness of the great cultural wealth of the peoples of West Africa, however, we have also hoped to promote a greater underlying message: that all peoples are equal, regardless of ethnicity, color, religious beliefs, gender, and so forth; despite our apparent differences, we are inherently connected to each other, our lives and fates intertwined in an elegant web. It is this, foremost, that we celebrate with our music…and for this reason that we are most disturbed by the current events in Guinea, West Africa, and are calling for your help and awareness.

Crisis in Guinea: Awareness Needed

It is with great sadness that we are learning of the great difficulties that our friends in Guinea, who have already lived in poverty and injustice for so long, are currently experiencing: On September 28, 2009, the Guinean military brutally cracked down on an unarmed population who were protesting military rule and junta leader Moussa Dadis Camara’s likely candidature for president. By many accounts over 150 unarmed people were brutally killed and more than 1200 injured by the military.

Peaceful demonstators had gathered to protest the possible presidential candidacy of the military junta’s leader, Captain Moussa Dadis Camara. Captain Camara had seized power in Guinea some 9 months ago in a bloodless coup following the death of Guinea’s previous president and military leader Lansana Conte. The stories of the senseless violence against the demonstrators are shocking. The population was met by a merciless attack by the military who fired live ammunition into the crowd, beat people with batons, and viciously raped women and girls in the streets.

A Show of Solidarity: What We Can Do

In response to these atrocities, and in a show of solidarity with the people of Guinea, we are encouraging all of our fans, supporters, friends and family to join us in raising awareness for the situation in Guinea, in support of a transition to the democracy that has eluded Guinea for the past 51 years of independence.

Some things you can do:

• write a lettor the editor of your local newspaper
• write to your elected representatives
• join the Guinea Solidarité Facebook group where you can sign an online petition in support of the Guinean people, stay connected on current developments, and learn more about what you can do
• post this on Twitter
• share this on Facebook

The addresses for your representatives can be found here:

House of Representatives | Senate

A sample letter template you can use, courtesy of the Guinea Solidarité group, can be found here.

Strong statements have been issued from the Secretary General of the United Nations, from the Security Council, from the European Union, Organization of African Unity, and from numerous other governments and human rights organizations around the world. We must encourage our own leaders in the U.S. to also take a strong stand against the brutal tyranny and wanton violence taking place in Guinea. While Guinea has traditionally been a relatively peaceful country, 51 years of dictatorship and gross mismanagement of government since independence has led to an unsupportable situation.

A Better World is Possible

With a belief in our interconnectedness of all beings on this globe, and the inherent respect for others that must come with it, the ultimate aspiration that we as musicians and performers have for our musical project is that we can, in our little corner of the world and with whatever influence we have, help inspire a real and true peace in the world — not a superficial peace based on ideals alone, but a peace that comes from a real understanding: when we oppress or harm another, we oppress and harm ourselves. When we work towards the betterment of others, we better the world for ourselves. Imagine, if all government policy were based on this principle, what we could achieve!

Thanks for taking the time to read this, and for any support, action, intent or prayers you can offer to help the people of Guinea.

In Peace and Rhythm,

Dave and the BBM Rhythm Ensemble