BY EDITH GONDWE, THE NATION
Inspired by rising cases of
domestic abuse, female musicians Hilco and Sangie have released a single titled
Pemphero which highlights the dangers of clinging to an abusive relationship.
In an interview Hilco said she and Sangie were inspired to do the song after noting that many women in abusive marriages choose to stay in the hope that prayer will change their husbands.
“Many women choose to stay
with their abusive partners. Even after years of emotional and physical
torture, many women choose to pray and be hopeful even in the face of death,”
she said in an interview yesterday.
Hilco said she hopes the
song will talk to those in abusive marriages that some situations do not need
prayer but action to protect oneself.
In a separate interview,
Sangie said the society gives a blind eye when it comes to what is really
important.
“Many women stay in bad
marriages because they do not have anything to do while others stay because
they are scared of being ridiculed by society,” she said.
Sangie added that the song,
is trying to empower those in abusive marriages to first know their worth and
protect themselves.
She said: “There is no
manuscript for marriage. Much as the church is always against divorce, I think
it is important to leave if the environment is no longer safe. One’s life is
more important than being married.”
In part the song goes: “Sangie:
Amwali mwatani mukuoneka okhumudwa, mmene kwachela nkhope yanu ndi yakugwa
Hilco: Ndi bambo a Ju
akundipatsa malingaliro,
Agona kunja eti kufunsa
mpaka kundimenya
Sangie: Zikutheka bwanji, zikukhala bwanji, banja lanu anthu amati ndi chitsanzo
Hilco: Poti mwafunsa
ndimasuka
Mwaona kunja mkati muli
nyerere
Banja eeh banja ee
Banja ndi kupilira
Sangie: Upilira bwanji
mubanjamo mulibe mtendere
Hilco: Langa ndi pemphero oo
Langa ndi pemphero amuna
angawa adzasinthe
Sangie: Langa ndi pemphero
langa ndi pemphero amunakowa asadzakuphe”
Commenting on the
collaboration, Sangie said it is rare to see female musicians work together.
“It’s high time we normalise
working and supporting each other as sisters. It was really a beautiful
experience and I enjoyed it,” she said.
Hilco also heaped praise on
her collaborator: “I have always wanted to do a song with her. She is good at
what she does. So, when I came up with the idea, I thought it would be nice if
I collaborated with a fellow female musician and the outcome was beautiful.”
The song was released on
Monday.
