Interview with Singer/Producer Dawit Efrem

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Perspective

By Semere Tesfamicael Habtemariam
Feb 13, 2004, 23:35 PST

A short biography of Dawit Efrem: Dawit Efrem was born in Asmara and was raised in both Asmara and Mendefera. He started playing music at a very young age. His father is a veteran "tegadalai" who currently resides in America. Dawit inherited love for democratic Eritrea from his father, ato Efrem Taffere, but it was his mother, wezero Abeba Gebremicael, who heavily encouraged his music. Dawit is an accomplished singer and musician with five successful records to his name. Since his first album "blen ayney", Dawit has become a household name in Eritrea's music industry.

Semere: Congratulation, Dawit, on your new release, vol. 5. Why a new album?

Dawit: Thank you. I'm releasing a new record because I want to speak for those voiceless Eritreans that are suffering under the dictatorship of Isaias. As you're familiar with all dictatorial systems, the people under a very oppressive regime can't speak and if they do they would be thrown in jail or killed. The few lucky ones would probably be forced to flee the country and become refugees.

Semere: Why is that your problem?

Dawit: These are my people and I feel a strong obligation to speak for them. It is not about personal gain, we're talking about the fate of an entire nation and people. In this kind of situation, silence is not an option. We've paid dearly for the liberation of Eritrea and we awe it to our martyrs that we continue the fight for justice and freedom and democracy. I chose to speak to expose the injustice of the "hgdef" regime and encourage other Eritreans to join the fight for democracy and rule of law.

Semere: Is that why one of your songs says "tes'e teberaber" (rise and wake up)?

Dawit: Exactly. I'm talking to those who have intentionally chosen to ignore the suffering of our people. Those that have chosen silence and indirectly are helping the dictatorship. I want them to wake up and be on the side of justice and the Eritrean people.

Semere: You're alone in the business. Why is it other singers have not followed your example?

Dawit: I can't speak on their behalf, but I can say this is a moral decision for me. I can't be controlled by what others do or not do. I can't wait for others to lead the way. This is my country and I care about my people. I feel this is the time to speak.

Semere: Do you see yourself as a leader?

Dawit: It is kind of a problem to see myself as a leader. I'm just following in the footsteps of many Eritreans who have sacrificed so much for their country. All I know is that as an artist and an Eritrean, I've an obligation to speak about the dire conditions in which the majority of our people live.

Semere: What is the sacrifice, Dawit?

Dawit: You know as well as I do that it is not easy to live in the US. Just like everybody else, I've to work about 50 and more hours a week, pay the bills, the mortgage and other family obligations. By speaking against the regime, I've also excluded myself from the music market that is monopolized by 'Hgdef' corporations. I've also to produce and make my own records using my own money and use my own distribution channels. I'm interested in spreading my message and not in making profit. Besides, "hgdef" defamation campaign has not spared me. But I don't pay attention to them.

Semere: It is noble that you're motivated by a higher goal, but I'm sure you would not mind to make a buck or two?

Dawit: I like to make money but in our current situation, I'm more motivated to contribute to the salvation of my people and country. If in the process, I break even or make a profit, then, that is just great. I want to make more records and I can only pursuit my artistic work if I've more money. And I thank, above all, my God and then my fans for enabling me to do what I love to do in the first place.

Semere: How did the public receive your "menyu tehatati" record and did you make a profit out of it?

Dawit: 'menyu teHatati' was a special record. It was the first of its kind and I'm very proud that it was well received by the public. I've been very encouraged by Eritreans all over the world. I was the first one who spoke about the suffering of our people and people were so appreciative about my humble contribution. I've been invited to give concerts in the US and Europe and I'm just happy to be of service to my people.

Semere: But did you make or lose money?

Dawit: Thanks to God and my fans, the record sold enough and I'm quite happy with the outcome. I'm able to stay in business and do it again and I don't doubt that my fans would love my "tes'e teberaber" even more.

Semere: How is "tes'e teberaber" different from "menyu teHatati"?

Dawit: At the time I released "menyu teHatati" I was depicting the huge loss we suffered as the result of the war that our president repeatedly calls a "stupid war". Like many people I was asking myself of "who is responsible" for the suffering and loss. My goal was to encourage people to ask questions and understand the situations. In my new record, "tens'e teberaber" my goal is to seek solutions and empower people to take ownership of their problems. I'm convinced that if our people rise up and demand what is rightfully theirs, we'll find solutions for our problems. This is time to act and take action.

Semere: How do you want the people to act and take action?

Dawit: First the people should not be silent about the injustice they are witnessing. There is a clear-cut divide between black and white here. It is a choice between evil and good, falsehood and truth. It is important that we stand for truth and goodness. This does not require one to philosophize. It is a simple moral choice of good and bad.

Semere: That being true. How do you want the people to take a course of action? Are you encouraging people to rise up and fight the regime with bullets?

Dawit: First, the people must unite. There is no need to be divided along old lines of religion, ethnicity, regionalism, tribalism and political partisanship of ELF vs. EPLF. For a small country like Eritrea, unity is a necessity and it is not a choice.

Semere: Do you think the Eritrean people are not united? Do you see them divided along the lines you just mentioned?

Dawit: Yes. I don't like to believe it but I can't deny it. The regime is also funneling more fuel into the fire. We've to be immunized and unity is our vaccination.

Semere: Where do we get the vaccine?

Dawit: The vaccine is in the song "tes'e teberaber". I want the people to wake up and be aware that the fate of all Eritreans is interlinked. If one Eritrean falls, we all fall. I still believe in the saying "United we stand, divided we fall". This is what every Eritrean needs to understand.

Semere: Let's assume that we've the unity that you're speaking of, what do you want the people to do?

Dawit: I'll let that to be sorted out by our political leaders and our people.

Semere: Do you trust the current leaders in the opposition to deliver what you're hoping for?

Dawit: I'm always hopeful.

Semere: Do you've anything to say to the people in the opposition camp?

Dawit: I say listen to the song "teqawamay dembe".

odgL� �Mk mkH� [L�T   The opposition camp must unite
}H� �EL mkH� K��T     Through consensus for a common goal
��I KdD[� l�p ʷ�T   Creating a common ground to work together
�mk'o� �HD� �� oLA�T::   By learning from the errors of the past.

Semere: That is truly beautiful and I hope they listen.

Dawit: I hope so too. That is the goal and my motivation.

Semere: What do you hope for the regime you characterize as "dictatorship" to do?

Dawit: I don't expect a dictator to make any positive change. It has to be defeated and completely eradicated. And those that are responsible for the suffering of our people must be brought before justice. This is a fight between good and evil and in this fight good must win. There would not be a complete victory if evil is not entirely eradicated. That is my personal opinion.

Semere: Do you think the opposition must have a deck card of the bad guys serving the regime? You know like what the US had when it invaded Iraq.

Dawit: That's funny. I don't think it is a bad idea. The good thing is that we all know who those bad guys are.

Semere: Nowadays, people are talking about a possible dialogue with the regime. What do you think?

Dawit: Dialogue with this regime is against everything I stand for. Any responsible opposition would not entertain this. We should not negotiate with the devil. You don't negotiate with a murderer. You catch a murderer and you bring him to face justice. I see it that way. No dialogue, no negotiation.

Semere: How do you see the Eritrean people doing that? How do we win over evil or bring the murderer to face justice?

Dawit: Let the Eritrean people choose how they want to do this. I'm very proud of what the people in Bosnia and Georgia have done to claim what is truly theirs.

Semere: When your "menyu teHatati" was released, Salih Gadi called you a singer-journalist and put you in the same category as the late Yemane Barya. Was he right?

Dawit: Yemane Barya is one of my favorite singers and I did work with him in the past. Yemane has left a great legacy and he was a legend even before his death. I feel privileged to be put in the same category and I hope I live up to the Yemane Barya's name. Yemane Barya is irreplaceable and a big loss not only to music, but also to Eritrea.

Semere: If the great Yemane Barya was alive, do you think he would have joined you in what you're doing?

Dawit: Yemane was always a man of the people and I don't doubt that he would be at the forefront of what I'm doing. He would have made our job a lot easier. It is because he fought and advocated for the causes of the people that Yemane Barya passed away not exactly rich. Yemane was one of kind. His premature death is just a bid loss.

Semere: Do you have any message to the other singers that have chosen to be silent?

Dawit: I would advise them to be on the side of the people and justice.

Semere: Any message to your fans?

Dawit: Thank you for your continued support and enjoy the new record. Happy holidays to all.