PitsiRa Ragophla
Project: South African Freedom Day Song Circle
South African Freedom Day Song Circle is a space for the community to sing, connect and heal. In times of turmoil, we sing. In times of happiness, we sing. In times of uncertainty, we sing. Singing in community is a powerful stabilizing force. We are deeply connected to songs of our ancestors and songs of our unborn great-grandchildren. We sing in a circle to harness the collective power and ensure the cycle of ancestral wisdom like protest songs and the burgeoning new songs of this era, have a space of interconnectivity. We sing about freedom even when we are still yearning for true liberation. This is a space for people to co-create and sing with us. No matter what your level of comfortability with singing is, this space is for you.
Bio:
PitsiRa Ya Mabala, a music innovator, African Studies teacher, entrepreneur and cultural organizer. His music features dynamic rhythms, and thoughtful lyrics that push beyond boundaries of conventional music genres to create a new style of music, Afrorevo (Afrikan Revolution) which he defines as “African-Pedified Rhythmic tunes”. PitsiRa is rooted in and influenced by Afrikan culture and spirituality. He has created numerous songs for children including “We are the children of Afrika”, which was sung in several languages by children in Sudan, South Africa, Namibia, and Brooklyn NY. He also leads community song circles and rhythmic circles of vocals, percussion and other instruments. He is excited to collaborate with Stoops and Bridges: A Pan-Afrikan Arts Movement to bring an exciting music experience to the Black Future Fest at Brooklyn Children’s Museum.