Building African Consciousness Through Music

by RAS MIDAS

At this most important time in African history we as African people at home and abroad must take the necessary steps to rediscover our cultural heritage and spiritual consciousness. As a singer, songwriter and performer I see that our music can be used as a creative force and a psychological vision to contribute to the rebuilding of the African continent towards one global family.

Music and arts are the foundation of any civilization because they are the symbols and soul of our people. I have discovered that music and dance can be used as a telecommunicative energy of positivity that can awaken the light of human consciousness so that civilization can evolve into a higher form.

The revolution of African art and music is also the beginning of change which will help us reach out to one another and build a better understanding of communication and mutual respect. Music is the combination of Word, Sound and Power which can transform the psychology of a nation towards evolutionary or revolutionary freedom of mind. The positivity of music can stimulate the world within all of us to educate our minds towards higher faculties so that the consciousness that has been buried from the legacy of neocolonialism and imperialism may arise and be activated. This enables the body, soul and mind to heal through which the African man and woman can have contact with the physical and spiritual planes to help them express their selves to the highest impulse and noblest characteristics of human existence.

The ancient astral light of communication transmitted through dance and music enables us to develop the revolution of love, unity and spheres of mental awareness as a guidance and lesson. We need to move forward in building a new global community in many parts of this world through the realization that we are one people.

Music is the voice of the oppressed and the main instrument to maintain peace and harmony. When positive music reaches your inner temple, you feel no pain. Music is the positive energy that is not restricted by language, theology, nationality or political ideology. It is a celestial vehicle moving forward as one of the grand cycles of creation through sound waves and vibrations that can stimulate the conscious and subconscious mind. With modern technology mankind has the ability to create the environment in which we can reach out and touch each other’s heart and soul. Music allows us to accommodate the re-creation of brotherhood with the invisible ocean of love fire that will cover this planet so we can build a new world with the guidance of the ancients in spirit and in truth.

Reggae music is one of the greatest cosmologies of creative sound to emerge in the 20th century that teaches the unification of humanity. Politically and socially reggae music reminds us that we can all work together cultivating justice and equality. The motion of music improves our spiritual awareness that can help advance us in recreating this global cultural village where respect, tolerance and forgiveness will give us the opportunity to construct a brand new day. There is one thing for certain we can all agree upon and that is that in every civilization of mankind, music, art and dance are the foundations which inspired spiritual consciousness as well as political, economical and social awareness towards change.

As the power of Word and Sound illustrates from our ancient teachers, the unity of rhythm in motion and time will give that balance to be as one with the Universe so we can obtain peace within ourselves. For it is music that will teach mankind a lesson and if we listen carefully to the cosmic principles of sound energy which constitutes man we will accomplish the tasks of rebuilding the moral and ethical value of human dignity. As the last great messenger, Haile Selassie I (“Ras Tafari”) said at the League of Nations during World War II, “Until the color of a man’s skin is no more significant than the color of his eyes, love and lasting peace will be an illusion to be pursued but never obtained.”

A world without music, dance and art would be no world whatsoever. That’s why music can unite and heal our consciousness in one global African Community.

Presented by Ras Midas at the Global African Music and Arts Symposium, University of California, Santa Cruz, 2003