Ffe Mwe, Mwe Ffe
In 2013 I led a drum circle at a Portland First Unitarian Church event where folks worked on making gifts for members of FUUC's sister church program in Uganda. In preparation, I went looking for traditional Ugandan rhythms to introduce in the circle and came across this Bantu adage: ffe mwe, mwe ffe-"they are us and we are them." - Joan Szymko
"Ffe Mwe Mwe Ffe" begins with a simple unison call, the energy of community coming together for the common good grows with each interwoven and layered rhythm that enters; most important being the drum rhythm, gwanga mujje-"come to my rescue." A soloist then introduces Mahatma Gandhi's inspiring words, "be the change you wish to see" . The message of the work shines brightly: compassion begins when we see ourselves in each "other. " Premiered by Aurora Chorus in December, 2013.
The TTTBBB verison was created for professional ensemble, Cantus, especially for their 2016 concert series, "Will You Harbor Me."
Ffe mwe, mwe ffe
gwanga mujje
Be the change you wish to see.
You can start by looking at me
and knowing that I am you
and you are me.
Ffe mwe, mwe ffe
gwanga mujje
We are them and they are we.
I am them and they are me.
We belong to each other.*
Ffe mwe, mwe ffe
gwanga mujje
* Mother Teresa quote in its entirety: "If we have no peace it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other."
In 2013 I led a drum circle at a Portland First Unitarian Church event where folks worked on making gifts for members of FUUC's sister church program in Uganda. In preparation, I went looking for traditional Ugandan rhythms to introduce in the circle and came across this Bantu adage: ffe mwe, mwe ffe-"they are us and we are them." - Joan Szymko
"Ffe Mwe Mwe Ffe" begins with a simple unison call, the energy of community coming together for the common good grows with each interwoven and layered rhythm that enters; most important being the drum rhythm, gwanga mujje-"come to my rescue." A soloist then introduces Mahatma Gandhi's inspiring words, "be the change you wish to see" . The message of the work shines brightly: compassion begins when we see ourselves in each "other. " Premiered by Aurora Chorus in December, 2013.
The TTTBBB verison was created for professional ensemble, Cantus, especially for their 2016 concert series, "Will You Harbor Me."