Cultural Fusion in Oxford Daddy Lumba's Enduring Hit: Music News from Around the Globe

Oxford, England, recently hosted a series of performances showcasing a diverse range of musical traditions. The Art Beyond Borders Initiative (ABBI) presented a concert at the Holywell Music Room, featuring Peking Opera, classical Indian music, and songs inspired by Arabic poetry. Betty Yan and Yuchen Zhang performed "A Bird Singing in the Wind," a Chinese art song. Aastha Mohapatra presented "Song of Radha," highlighting the lyrical beauty of Raags in Indian classical music. "Aatini Al Naya Wa Ghanni," inspired by Khalil Gibran's poetry, demonstrated the storytelling depth of Arabic music. In Ghana, Daddy Lumba's 1990 hit, "Ankwanoma," continues to resonate deeply. Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyabeng invoked the song's lyrics to express his commitment to duty amidst challenges. The song, released on February 12, 1990, remains a cherished highlife classic. Its themes of resilience and sacrifice have been adopted by numerous contemporary musicians. Fameye's "Not God" samples "Ankwanoma," and the phrase "Ankwanoma me me kra b) af)re o..." is frequently used to convey perseverance.