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Musician and composer Peter Mawanga wrote this song of confession, pointing to hope for deliverance, in response to Judges 6:1-18.

Judges 6:1-18

ULEMU

By 

Peter Mawanga

Credits: 

Curated by: 

Spark+Echo Arts

2020

Image by Giorgio Trovato

Primary Scripture

The children of Israel did that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight: and Yahweh delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years.
The hand of Midian prevailed against Israel; and because of Midian the children of Israel made themselves the dens which are in the mountains, and the caves, and the strongholds.
So it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites, the Amalekites, and the children of the east came up against them.
They encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the earth, until you come to Gaza. They left no sustenance in Israel, and no sheep, ox, or donkey.
For they came up with their livestock and their tents. They came in as locusts for multitude. Both they and their camels were without number; and they came into the land to destroy it.
Israel was brought very low because of Midian; and the children of Israel cried to Yahweh.
When the children of Israel cried to Yahweh because of Midian,
Yahweh sent a prophet to the children of Israel; and he said to them, “Yahweh says, the God of Israel, ‘I brought you up from Egypt, and brought you out of the house of bondage.
I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all who oppressed you, and drove them out from before you, and gave you their land.
I said to you, “I am Yahweh your God. You shall not fear the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell.” But you have not listened to my voice.’”
Yahweh’s angel came, and sat under the oak which was in Ophrah, that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite. His son Gideon was beating out wheat in the wine press, to hide it from the Midianites.
Yahweh’s angel appeared to him, and said to him, “Yahweh is with you, you mighty man of valor!”
Gideon said to him, “Oh, my lord, if Yahweh is with us, why then has all this happened to us? Where are all his wondrous works which our fathers told us of, saying, ‘Didn’t Yahweh bring us up from Egypt?’ But now Yahweh has cast us off, and delivered us into the hand of Midian.”
Yahweh looked at him, and said, “Go in this your might, and save Israel from the hand of Midian. Haven’t I sent you?”
He said to him, “O Lord, how shall I save Israel? Behold, my family is the poorest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.”
Yahweh said to him, “Surely I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man.”
He said to him, “If now I have found favor in your sight, then show me a sign that it is you who talk with me.
Please don’t go away, until I come to you, and bring out my present, and lay it before you.”
He said, “I will wait until you come back.”

Judges 6:1-18

The song is inspired by the book of Judges 6, verses 1-18.


After the Israelites had sinned against God, He gave them into the hands of Midianites.


Later, when they confessed to God and cried out for his forgiveness, God used Gideon to redeem them from the Midianites.


ULEMU is a song of confession and total submission.


Ndabwera pamaso panu, mogonja ndimothedwa nzeru


Ndaona ukulu wanu ambuye ndilandireni inu

(Here I am in total submission, I confess my sins and acknowledge you are my lord and saviour.)


Ndayesayesa mwa nzeru zanga koma ndaperewera ndithu


Ndazindikira kulakwa kwanga ambuye ndikhululukireni inu

(I thought I could stand on my own, but instead I have fallen short of your glory, so please forgive me.)


Ulemu ukhale kwa inu


Ndi mtima wanga wonse ndipereka


Ulemu kwa inu

(With all my heart, I give glory and honour unto you.)



Spark Notes

The Artist's Reflection

Peter Mawanga has attracted worldwide acclaim with his music, the Nyanja vibes, performing on world stages in Africa, Europe and America. Not a stranger to the BBC and other media outlets, Mawanga has established himself as one of the living legends in Malawi and Africa.


Blending traditional instruments as the Nyanja’s visekese, malimba, and kaligo, with contemporary instruments, he produces music that is fondly described by many as therapeutic, drawing from the Nyanja’s core values of peace and calm. The Nyanja are the most peaceful people in Africa and their country Malawi, which has never been at war, be it civil or otherwise, is known as the warm heart of Africa. Their instruments are deliberately designed to produce sounds that appeal to different feelings that aim at calming the nerves, celebrating life, pleading for peace and mostly merrymaking. It is from this source that Peter birthed the aMaravi movement and the celebrated Nyanja afro-vibes which mainly took off when he produced the now world renown album, Mawu A Malawi (The Voice of Malawi), which featured stories of AIDS.


For seven months Peter and colleagues had collected narratives from twenty-six of the most inspiring people they had ever met. They shared their loss, pain, joy, courage, and wisdom. The result of the project was Mawu a Malawi. The album was launched at the University of North Carolina and Department of State, making Peter Mawanga the first African musician to perform at the office of the Secretary of State. Since then, Peter’s performances have been holistic, characterized by song, film, dance, talks and sometimes dramatic monologues.


His talks, among other things topics, are on:


  • Malawian traditional sounds; origins, use, relevance, relation to Africa and the world at large, the fusion with contemporary instruments, extinction, and preservation efforts.

  • Music and dance in Malawi, the interplay of music in the social setup. Issues of identity, music as a people’s movement and a catalyst for life. Dance and tribal heritage.

  • Talents of the Malawian Child Project Mawanga’s personal life (self-discovery) and involvement in projects for social change and economic empowerment.


Peter, just like the Nyanjas of Malawi, believes that music goes beyond the ear, reaching out into the inner person to produce a healing power. It is one of the keys to a peaceful mind.



Peter Mawanga

About the Artist

Nambala Wani

NDAUPENYA

ASAMALA

Peter Mawanga

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