Dehab Faytinga

Last updated
Faytinga
Faytinga - Portrait by Bathsheba Okwenje (2008).jpg
Background information
Birth nameDahab Faid Tinga
Born (1964-06-10) 10 June 1964 (age 59)
Asmara, Ethiopian Empire (now Eritrea)
Origin Eritrea
Genres World, Kunama
LabelsCobalt
Website faytinga.com

Dahab Faytinga (born 10 June 1964), known professionally as Faytinga, is an Eritrean singer and musician. [1] [2] She belongs to the Nilotic Kunama and Tigrinya ethnic groups. [3] [4]

Contents

Early life

Faytinga was born on 10 June 1964 in Asmara, Ethiopian Empire, now called Eritrea from her Tigrinya mother and Kunama father,who was a revered freedom fighter among the ethnic group. The state of anarchy that ensued in 1942 after the defeat of the Italian army, forced her father to form a military band to defend the Kunama people against the raids they suffered. He was given the nickname of 'Fighting gun' (taken from his name 'Faid Tinga') by the British administration in the early 1950s. Between 1952 and 1962, he was elected enthusiastically to represent the Kunama people. At the end of the Federal arrangement he was imprisoned several times by the Ethiopian Government for his pro-Eritrean work. He was a political prisoner when the Ethiopian military regime came to power and he was freed by the EPLF in 1974 when they stormed the prison in Asmara. Faid Tinga Longhi was a hero for the Kunama people. [5] [6] [7]

in 1977, at the age of fourteen, Faytinga joined the liberation struggle and she became a combatant during the Eritrean War of Independence until the liberation in 1991. [2] [8] [9] After being given military and political training at Bilekat, she was assigned to the public administration department. In 1987 she started to work with the Department of National Guidance to set up the Kunama radio programme. She then joined the cultural troupe as a Kunama language singer. In the late 1980s, Faytinga was reassigned to the public administration department in Kassala, Sudan and later Tokombia, where she was elected as member of the assembly of the National Union of Eritrean Women’s of Tokombia district. [10]

Career and musical style

In 1990, Faytinga toured the US and Europe as a member of The National Folkloric Troupe of Eritrea called the Sibrit Cultural Troupe. [11] After releasing her first album “Sala Da Goda” on tape, she toured for the first time as a solo artist in 1995. Faytinga won the 2nd prize and 1st East African women singer at the 2000 Ma’ Africa in Benoni, South Africa. It took until 1999 and an appearance at the Africolor festival in France, [12] before she could record her first album "Numey". [13] [14]

Faytinga composes her own songs and also interprets work from well-known poets and composers from Eritrea. When singing, she plays the krar, a small lyre.

The CD album "Numey" is Faytinga's first international release on the Paris-based Cobalt label. All of the songs on this album of hers are in her native Kunama language, which belongs to the Nilo-Saharan family.

In 2003, Faytinga released her second album "Eritrea". Besides the krar and wata, she also brought guitar, flute, and percussion sounds.

Faytinga has always been interested in music and developed her style ‘in the field’ that represents her own blend of several traditional music forms. [15] [16]

World stage

Faytinga has been performing around the world representing Eritrea as a 'cultural ambassador' for her country. [17] As Marco Cavallarin wrote in the Italian journal Africa e Mediterraneo, 'Faytinga interprets the profound culture of her country and its most ancient and more recent history, from the origins of the Kunama people to the war of liberation from the invading Ethiopia'. [18] She participated in particular to Expo 2005 in Aichi, Japan [19] and to Expo 2010 in Shanghai, China. [20] She also attended the Earth Summit 2002 held in Johannesburg, South Africa. [21] In addition, she has been collaborated with other artists such as the group Ouï-Dire in an attempt to mix her voice, her music and culture with that of other continents. [22] [23]

Faytinga's music or photos are featured in various books, [24] [25] [26] expositions, [27] blogs, [28] [29] [30] video documentaries, [31] and other.

On 30 August 2004, in an interview with Joel Savage for The Voice Magazine she said that “I sing about peace, love, and togetherness, since war, conflict and other disturbances did not bring any positive change to Africa, but it only creates refugee crisis, pains, agony, discomfort and economic hardship. I bring a music of hope to the people.” With this spirit Faytinga played at the FLOG International music Festival in Florence (2004). [32] [33]

Discography

Albums

Numey; Milobe; Amajo; Lagàla Fàla Fesso; Kundura; Aleyda; Alemuye; Milomala; Asàmen Gàna; Salada Goda

Goda Anna; Hakuma Tia; Degsi; Leledia; Eritrea; Amajo; Laganga; Alemuye; Taham Bele; Sema 'Ett; Buba

Singles

  1. Megesha - Music Video, YouTube Faytinga channel, published 15-Dec-2012
  2. Ciao, Ciao - Music Video, YouTube Faytinga channel, published 17-Dec-2012
  3. Sebaki fkri - Digital distribution, independent, June 2014
  4. Wedi Asmara (Son Of Asmara) - Digital distribution, independent, December 2014
  5. Ala Ska - Music Video, YouTube Faytinga channel, published 20-Dec-2015
  6. Besela - Digital distribution, independent, July 2016 [38] and Music Video, YouTube Faytinga channel, published 30-Dec-2016
  7. Kebkeba Kone - Music Video, YouTube Faytinga and FaytingaVEVO channels, published 16-Aug-2017
  8. Deglele - Digital distribution, independent, January 2018, and Music Video, YouTube Faytinga and FaytingaVEVO channels, published 11-Jan-2018
  9. Lebam U Zdle - Digital distribution, independent, February 2019 and Music Video, YouTube Faytinga and FaytingaVEVO channels, published 23-Nov-2018
  10. Goda Anna (Remix) - Digital distribution, Independent, June 2019
  11. Tsela'ika - Digital distribution, independent, June 2021 and Music Video, YouTube and FaytingaVEVO channels, June 2021
  12. Faytinga & Temesghen Yared Resolution Song (Eritrea) - Resolution Song LP, April 2022
  13. Fishaley - Digital distribution, independent, June 2022 and Music Video, YouTube Faytinga channel, June 2022

Features

  1. World Divas (Wagram Records, 2006) - Song "Lagàla Fàla Fesso"
  2. Africolor, Musiques du Monde (Believe, Cobalt, 2008) - Song "Hakuma Tia"
  3. The Asmara All Stars : Eritrea's Got Soul (Out Here, 2010) - Songs "Amajo" and "Gwaila International" [39] [40] [41]
  4. Miombo by Laroz (Sol Selectas, April 2021) - Songs "Laganga feat. Faytinga (Original Mix)" and "Laganga feat. Faytinga (Rodrigo Gallardo Remix)"
  5. Summer Sol VII by various artists (Sol Selectas, July 2022) - Song "Naomi" by Laroz featuring Song "Numey" by Faytinga
  6. Asmara by Hermon Mehari (Komos Jazz, November 2022) - Songs "Tanafaqit" and "Milobe - Lawa Furda" by Faytinga and Hermon Mehari [42] [43]

Advocacy

Faytinga is one of the first artists from Eritrea engaged in support of people living with HIV and AIDS. She has participated in numerous World AIDS Day events including as guest-star singer on 1 December 2003 during the event held at the Hotel Intercontinental, [44] and in June 2005, together with Kenyan singer Achieng Abura in an exceptional gala diner concert for the benefit of women and children affected by HIV and AIDS. She also performed on the occasion of the opening of the Namibia gender-based violence Art Exhibition on 10 December 2013 at UNAIDS Headquarters in Geneva. [45] In 2022, together with Eritrean musician and singer Temesghen Yared, she developed an Eritrean version of the “World on Our Shoulders” song, also called the “Resolution Song”. [46] The Resolution Song brings together voices from all over the world in a demonstration of global unity and a call for action to protect the planet. The Eritrean version of this song is featured with 16 other versions in the "Resolution Song" album released on Earth Day, 22 April 2022.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Music of Eritrea</span> Musical tradition of Eritrea

The music of Eritrea, is a diverse mix of traditional and popular styles originating from ancient to modern times. The nine major ethnic groups of Eritrea—Afar, Bilen, Hedareb, Kunama, Nara, Rashaida, Saho, Tigre and Tigrinya—celebrate autonomous music-making expressed through a rich heritage of vocalists, instrumentalists and activities within the country and throughout the international diaspora. The country's music is informed by a range of ethnolinguistic group dynamics in the region, by its shared pre-colonial history with and revolutionized independence from Ethiopia, and by its exposure to globalized American music in the mid-twentieth century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bonnie McKee</span> American singer-songwriter

Bonnie Leigh McKee is an American singer and songwriter. Her debut album, Trouble, was released in 2004 by Reprise Records. After underperforming McKee was dropped by her label and took a musical hiatus before establishing herself as a songwriter. She has written 10 singles that have reached number one in either the United States or the United Kingdom, which have sold more than 30 million copies worldwide combined. In 2013, McKee made a return to music with many singles, including "American Girl". She independently released an EP, Bombastic (2015).

Senait Ghebrehiwet Mehari is an Eritrean-born German singer. She goes professionally by her single name "Senait". She is also known as Senait Mehari, although this is a common understanding and is due to the Europeanization of an Eritrean naming convention.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eritrea</span> Country in the Horn of Africa

Eritrea, officially the State of Eritrea, is a country in the Horn of Africa region of Eastern Africa, with its capital and largest city at Asmara. It is bordered by Ethiopia in the south, Sudan in the west, and Djibouti in the southeast. The northeastern and eastern parts of Eritrea have an extensive coastline along the Red Sea. The nation has a total area of approximately 117,600 km2 (45,406 sq mi), and includes the Dahlak Archipelago and several of the Hanish Islands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kat Graham</span> American actress and singer

Katerina Alexandre Hartford Graham is an American actress, singer, and activist. She played Bonnie Bennett on The CW supernatural drama series The Vampire Diaries (2009–2017). Her film credits include The Parent Trap (1998), 17 Again (2009), The Roommate (2011), Honey 2 (2011), Addicted (2014), and All Eyez on Me (2017). In music, Graham has released two extended plays and four studio albums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dionne Bromfield</span> British singer

Dionne Julia Bromfield is a British soul music singer, television presenter and television personality. Her debut album, Introducing Dionne Bromfield, was released in 2009 by Amy Winehouse's Lioness Records label. She first came to public attention after performing on the British TV show Strictly Come Dancing with Amy Winehouse on backing vocals. She is known for being one of the former presenters on Friday Download. On 15 July 2021, Bromfield released the single "Silly Love", nearly 10 years after the death of her godmother Amy Winehouse.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Put Your Hearts Up</span> 2011 debut single by Ariana Grande

"Put Your Hearts Up" is the debut single by American singer Ariana Grande. She released the song under Republic Records on December 12, 2011. The song samples "What's Up?" (1993) by 4 Non Blondes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">R5 discography</span> Discography

American pop rock band R5 released two studio albums, five extended plays, thirteen singles, two promotional singles, twenty-two music videos and other album appearances. In March 2010, they self-released an EP, Ready Set Rock and in September they signed with Hollywood Records. The second EP, Loud, was released on February 19, 2013, which featured the lead single and title track "Loud", the debut single from upcoming album. The band's first full-length album, Louder, was released on September 24, 2013 and the album not only includes the four songs from Loud and also seven new songs. The second single from the album, "Pass Me By", premiered on Radio Disney on August 16. The music video premiered on 29 August on Disney Channel and is available for public viewing on the band's Vevo channel. The third single, "(I Can't) Forget About You", was released on December 25, 2013 and reached number 47 on Billboard Digital Pop Songs, and the fourth single "One Last Dance" on May 29, 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bea Miller</span> American singer and actress

Beatrice Annika Miller is an American singer and actress. She was the fifth contestant eliminated on season two of The X Factor (US) when she was 13 years old. She was later signed to Hollywood Records. Her debut EP Young Blood was released in 2014, and her debut album Not an Apology was released on July 24, 2015. In 2016, she released the single "Yes Girl". During 2017, she released the EPs Chapter One: Blue, Chapter Two: Red, and Chapter Three: Yellow. The three EPs, along with five additional songs, were collected as her second studio album, Aurora.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Only Love Can Hurt Like This</span> 2014 single by Paloma Faith

"Only Love Can Hurt Like This" is a song by English singer Paloma Faith, written by Diane Warren. Released as the second single to promote her third studio album, A Perfect Contradiction (2014), on 11 May 2014, it was promoted on shows such as Alan Carr: Chatty Man.

"Del Otro Lado" is the fourth single released by Argentine singer and actress Lali Espósito, taken from her debut studio album A Bailar (2014). It was released via digital download on January 7, 2015. The song was written by Espósito along with music producers Pablo Akselrad, Luis Burgio and Gustavo Novello, and was produced by 3musica, Hook Producciones S.R.L and Sony Music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nobody Love</span> 2015 single by Tori Kelly

"Nobody Love" is a song by American singer Tori Kelly. The track was released as the lead single from her debut studio album, Unbreakable Smile, on February 8, 2015. The song was written by Kelly, Max Martin, Rickard Göransson, and Savan Kotecha, and was produced by Martin and Göransson. It was Kelly's first entry on the US Billboard Hot 100 peaking at number 60. It was also certified Platinum in New Zealand, along with reaching mainstream success in Australia and Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">We'll Be the Stars</span> 2015 single by Sabrina Carpenter

"We'll Be the Stars" is a song recorded by American singer Sabrina Carpenter from her debut studio album Eyes Wide Open (2015). The track was written by Skyler Stonestreet, Cameron Walker and its producer Steven Solomon. The song was released by Hollywood Records as the lead single from Eyes Wide Open on January 13, 2015, and was premiered a day before exclusively on Radio Disney. "We'll Be the Stars" is a midtempo piano-driven power pop ballad and lyrically, according to Carpenter, it talks about reaching dreams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Away (Fatin Shidqia song)</span> 2015 single by Fatin Shidqia

"Away" is a song performed by singer Fatin Shidqia. It is her first single and featured on her second album which would be released in 2016. This song is her first English-language song and used for Soundtrack her debut film title Dreams. In this song, Fatin says the word "Away" 81 times which is noticeable.

If Only (<i>Descendants</i> song)

"If Only" is a song performed by American actress and singer Dove Cameron in her role of Mal from Disney Channel's 2015 television film Descendants, whose music and lyrics were composed by Adam Anders, Nikki Hassman and Peer Astrom. The song debuted at number 99 on the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at 94. The song was included on the film soundtrack of the same name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dodie</span> English singer and songwriter (born 1995)

Dorothy Miranda Clark, known mononymously as Dodie, is an English singer, songwriter, author and YouTuber. Dodie began her career uploading original songs and covers to YouTube. As of August 2023, her main channel has over 196 videos, over 2.01 million subscribers and over 431.66 million views, and her side channel, has over 203 videos, over 888k subscribers and over 100.46 million views.

"Champions" is a song by American singer Usher and Panamanian singer Rubén Blades, recorded for the biographical sports film, Hands of Stone and is also included on his eight studio album Hard II Love. It was released by RCA on August 26, 2016, available for digital download and online streaming. The song was written by Usher, Rubén Blades, Raphael Saadiq and Taura Stinson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thumbs (song)</span> 2016 single by Sabrina Carpenter

"Thumbs" is a song recorded by American singer Sabrina Carpenter from her second studio album Evolution (2016), included as the third track of the album. The track was written by Priscilla Renea and its producer Steve Mac. The song was originally released by Hollywood Records as the third promotional single from Evolution on October 7, 2016, a week before the album's release. It was later released as the album's second single on January 3, 2017. "Thumbs" is an up-tempo electropop song with house and pop elements.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Can't Blame a Girl for Trying (song)</span> 2014 single by Sabrina Carpenter

"Can't Blame a Girl for Trying" is the debut single by American singer Sabrina Carpenter from her debut extended play of the same name (2014), serving as the opening track of the EP. The track appears on her debut studio album, Eyes Wide Open, serving as the second track of the record. The song was produced by Brian Malouf and written by Meghan Trainor, Al Anderson and Chris Gelbuda. The song was released by Hollywood Records as the lead single from Can't Blame a Girl for Trying on March 14, 2014 onto iTunes and was premiered a day before exclusively on Radio Disney. "Can't Blame a Girl for Trying" is a midtempo pop folk song with influences of pop music backed by an acoustic guitar. Lyrically, the song speaks about being foolish in love and making mistakes, but never blaming those who make them. According to Carpenter, the song perfectly describes a thirteen-year-old girl and a teenage girl.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Queen Naija</span> Yemeni American singer

Queen Naija Bulls is an American singer and media personality. Born in Ypsilanti, Michigan, she started out her career as a vlogger on YouTube and then participated in season 13 of American Idol. Her self-released song "Medicine" (2017) reached the top 50 of the Billboard Hot 100 in 2018, and she was signed to Capitol Records.

References

  1. Faytinga. "Official bio" (PDF). Retrieved 21 September 2016.
  2. 1 2 Ayad, Christophe (23 July 2002). "Faytinga, porte-voix de la guérilla". Libération. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  3. "The Kunama People of Eritrea". madote.com. 9 November 2013. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  4. "La chanteuse matriarche". Le Mouvement Matricien. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  5. Kheir Omer, Mohamed (5 February 2015). "Fait Tinga Longhi, nicknamed "Fighting Gun" one the veterans for the independence of Eritrea". Hedgait blog. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  6. "Eritrean Names and their Meaning". madote.com. 19 September 2010. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  7. "Faytinga". TV5. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  8. Mortaigne, Véronique (14 November 2003). "Faytinga Eritrea". Le Monde.
  9. Bios, Diallo (27 January 2004). "La chanteuse aux os de fer". Jeune Afrique. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  10. Yared, Yishak. "Eritrea's shining star". shabait.com. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
  11. Efrem, Samrawit (11 November 2009). "Sibrit Cultural Troupe Celebrating Eritrean culture diversity". shabait.com. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  12. "Faytinga". mondomix.com. 24 February 2003. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  13. Leterrier, Alain. "Faytinga : une grande tournée européenne et son premier cd produit par l'Alliance française d'Asmara". Les nouvelles d'Addis. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  14. Covington, Richard (3 February 2000). "Internet Sites, Radio and Festivals Spread the Gospel of World Music". The New York Times. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  15. Glaser, David. "La voix musicale de l'Erythrée habite à Nyon". La Côte. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  16. Tewolde-Berhan, Zara. "Popular music in Eritrea". Music in Africa. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  17. "Dahab Faytinga, la voix du peuple kunama". RTS. Magnétique. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
  18. Cavallarin, Marco. "Appunti dall'Eritrea". Africa e Mediterraneo (in Italian) (35–36). Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  19. "National Day of The State of Eritrea in Aichi Expo 2005 – Japan" (PDF). Expo 2005 Aichi Japan. 10 June 2005. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  20. "National Pavilion Day of Eritrea celebrated at World Expo". CCTV. 26 May 2010. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  21. Rogers, Guy (2002). "Global Network Will Monitor Marine Environment" (PDF). The Herald. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 March 2012. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  22. Labesse, Patrick (7 December 2003). "Ouï-Dire, à la rencontre des cinq continents, croise l'Erythréenne Faytinga". Le Monde.
  23. "Concert. Faytinga & Ouï Dire". Maison Populaire. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  24. Savage, Joel (2013). Passion of reggae and African music. [S.l.]: Virtualbookworm Com Publi. ISBN   978-1-62137-348-3.
  25. Tenaille, photogr. Bill Akwa Bétotè ; Textes Frank (2001). Musafrica : portraits de la musique africaine. Paris: Ed. du Layeur. p. Front cover. ISBN   2911468694.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  26. Labourdette, Dominique Auzias et Jean-Paul (2012). Érythrée ([Éd.] 2012-2013. ed.). Paris: Nouvelles éd. de l'Université. ISBN   978-2746953734.
  27. Bétotè, Bill Akwa. "Mélodie de femmes". billakwabetote.com. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  28. Bathsheba, Okwenje. "People and Proust". bathshebaokwenje.com. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  29. "Qui Eritrea". 28 October 2010. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  30. "Faytinga". ifriqiyah.wordpress.com. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  31. SeawaterFoundation (18 July 2008). "Greening of Eritrea (pt.2)". YouTube. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
  32. Savage, Joel (30 August 2004). "Faytinga; Freedom fighter woman turned musician". blogcritics.org. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  33. Cavallarin, Marco. "Firenze, Donne d'Africa Festival dei Popoli". Africa e Mediterraneo (in Italian) (49). Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  34. Dwek, Joel (20 January 2022). "ERITREA: Numey - Faytinga". 200worldalbums.com. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
  35. Bain, William (3 June 2013). "Distinctive Performance by Eritrea's Faytinga". worldmusiccentral.org. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  36. "Faytinga - Eritrea". Fip radio. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  37. "L'Afrique en Musiques" (PDF). mediatheques.portesessonne.fr/. May 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  38. Music in Africa. "Swiss-based Eritrean singer Faytinga working on new album". musicinafrica.net. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  39. Troughton, Richie (22 December 2010). "Asmara All Stars - Eritrea's Got Soul". thequietus.com. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  40. Battaglia, Andy (22 October 2010). "Bringing the sounds of Eritrea to the world". thenational.ae. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  41. Dostes, Romain (April 2012). "Eritrea's Got Soul - Asmara All Stars". africavivre.com. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  42. Schnee, Guillaume. "Hermon Mehari explore ses racines érythréennes sur "Asmara"". Radio France. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  43. Denis, Jacques. "A écouter cette semaine". Libération. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
  44. OCHA (12 December 2003). "Eritrea: Humanitarian Update 12 Dec - HIV/Aids". reliefweb.int. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  45. UNAIDS (11 December 2013). "Breaking the silence around gender-based violence". unaids.org. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  46. Music Declares Emergency. "Resolution Song album released by the Planet Resolution global Project". Music Declares Emergency. Retrieved 3 June 2022.