Diamonds in the Kalahari: the Bushmen’s plight inspires a song
by Matthew
Canadian freelance writer, broadcaster and singer-songwriter Laurie Sarkadi presents a heartfelt rock number in ode to the Kalahari Bushmen.
“Diamonds in the Kalahari” (follow title to download)
Words and Music by Laurie Sarkadi
Laurie explains how her travels in Botswana inspired her to write the song:
“In early 2004 I travelled overland with my husband and our three sons through South Africa, Botswana and Namibia. While in Botswana we ventured into the Central Kalahari Game Reserve largely by chance, having been unable to secure park permits for more fertile pans in the area over the busy Easter weekend. Using local maps and guide books (which we later discovered were outdated) we tried to drive to the San (Bushman) village of Xade. We never reached our destination because of time and vast distance. It wasn’t until we’d left Botswana and I was reading a South African newspaper that I learned of the forced relocations of the San by the Botswana government. Xade no longer existed.
“Upon returning to Canada I began comparing the way the same diamond companies that were exploring the Central Kalahari were operating in northern Canada. The result was a feature article in Canadian Diamonds magazine (PDF download, 9 pages, 2.2mb) and simultaneously, the song ‘Diamonds in the Kahalari’.”
June 1st, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Dear Laurie and Survival International,
First of all, I want to thanks fellow Canadian artist, Laurie Sarkadi, for writing a song on behalf of the San Bushmen. The reality for all humans facing the indignity of “exploitation” (the accepted corporate term for obtaining “resources”) is that such people(s) have NO VOICE (no legal recourse to defend their ancestral lands and way of life). This is the appalling reality of all indigenous peoples worldwide. Unless an artist “speaks” (eg. artists singing, painting etc; activists lobbying; activist lawyers offering free services on their behalf) the San Bushmen et.al. are not considered to be “citizens of the world” with equal Human Rights to the “other” citizens of the world who have so-called “laws” to protect their interests and needs/desires. The latter view diamonds as “A girl’s best friend” and an investment that will “last forever”. This is pure corporate language that is constructed with only one purpose in mind: to generate billions of dollars in corporate revenue. Diamonds are just one example of the many industrialized nations’ “constructs” ( assigning “value” to crystals,minerals ( iron ore etc.) forests ( paper “industry”), etc. ) that fail miserably to include the perspectives of all peoples’ residing near or on the land that nurtures such people. Indigenous people’s “language” often speaks of stones, minerals and crystals in “sacred” terms and the ritual(s) of giving back to “Mother Earth” are generally intrinsic practices. This is a harmonious and deeply respectful relationship with our Earth. The industrialized model “exploits resources” while ignoring the inherent dignity of both the Earth and its indigenous inhabitants. Time to listen to our indigenous brothers’ and sisters’ language. It may be the only hope of stopping the corporate rape of this planet.