The late artist Ali Birra, who passed away on 5 November, 2023 was commemorated with various programs in Dire Dawa City. Honorary Doctor of Arts Ali Birra has been known not only for his musical works for over 60 years, but also for his advocacy for human rights, anti-dictatorship, sports, education, coexistence, patriotism, history and appreciation of nature.
The artist’s works remembered with various programs for five days. Initially, a Candle lighting ceremony was held at Ali Birra’s Park, followed by the inauguration of a commemorative billboard at the International Airport, panel discussions, sports competitions, musical performances and a major concert by famous local and foreign artists. Family, relatives, friends and admirers as well as various guests from home and abroad had attended the event as Ali is a famous musician loved by all ethnic groups.
A brief biography of Artist Ali Birra
His first name was Ali Mahammad, his nickname as the king of art is Ali Birra and he was called Adeeroo by those who were close to him. Honorary Doctor of Arts Ali Birra was born in May 1948. Ali Birra began his education by studying Arabic and the Koran and completed his primary education at Madarasa Jadida and Leul Mokonnen School there, in Dire Dawa. He then studied music at Santa Monica College in California, USA.
Although Ali Birra’s father wanted his son to study and become a mechanic, he was interested in sports and music since childhood and loved to watch cinema and movies. In 1962, the Urji Bakalcha Band, which opened a new chapter in the history of modern Oromo art, was established as part of the Afran Qalloo struggle movement. It also paved the way for him to achieve his dreams and aspirations. Ali Birra became a member of the “Hiriya Jalala” Band and began his lifelong career.
The same year he started his career, he sang his first song “Biradhaa Barie” with Urjii Bakkalcha Band at an Eid festival. His singing and voice became even more popular. The song, which Ali sang as a child, Biradhaa Barie, signified the dawn of spring, the coming of the bright age for Oromo culture and art and clearly confirmed the birth of the King of Art in the history of modern Oromo art.
Thus, Artist Ali switched from Hiriya Jalala Band to Urjii Bakkalcha Band and was welcomed with love and respect and continued to sing with great artists like Ali Shanboo. With this new journey, he set a foundation and reached the peak of modern Oromo art and contributed greatly to turning the darkness into light and as a result the city of Dire Dawa played a major role in becoming the centre of the Oromo struggle.
After Ali and his friends toured various places in Hararge to perform for the public, he and his friends were forced to travel without government permission as their request to the government for permission to go and perform abroad for the first time was rejected.
Ali was arrested at Djibouti border and imprisoned for a month. After his release from prison, he moved to Finland. The king of art was a guest when he came to Addis Ababa and despite the difficulties he faced, he took it as a great opportunity to enter his home country.
He soon became famous in Addis Ababa by singing with the guitar. He immediately worked with the Kibur Zabagna Orchestra for three years with famous artists such as Tilahun Gessese, Bizunesh Bekele and Mahamud Ahmed.
After three years of service, he left the orchestra because of unpleasant circumstances. He decided to quit music altogether, and began to pursue another career. He immediately started working as a mechanic at the station (railway) in Awash with the help of the managers of the Ethiopian Railway Company who knew him before.
Yet he was a man created for art and found it even more difficult to stay away from it. He returned to Finland and continued to serve the people with his natural artistic mission. Ali founded and launched the Aduu Birraa Band, the most modern band in the history of Oromo art. The band was even more popular. Ali’s role was even greater for this. But gradually he left the band to his friends and worked with ‘IBEX BAND, ETHIO STAR BAND’ and other Night Clubs at D.Afrik, Ras, Harambe, Hilton Hotels.
During the time when the Oromo people were in great suffering, he recorded beautiful Oromo songs in Finland and worked hard to make the Oromo popular in the music industry of our country. He became an unparalleled artist in the country by bringing out the suppressed voices of the people through his songs. He also set an example for the next generation of artists.
Artist Ali was a veteran fighter, a superhero, a human rights activist and an advocator for justice who took the lead in fighting for the development of Oromo nationalism, for the people to learn about each other and for the injustices he was suffering to be heard around the world. Using his musical instrument and voice as a weapon of struggle, he fought for justice struggling peacefully. He stood up and fought against the oppression of the Oromo.
He has inspired the people to fight for their rights and freedoms. He has served as the voice of justice and freedom for his people. He has also contributed to the development of Oromo and Ethiopian art. Ali Birra speaks seven languages and has sung in six languages: Afaan Oromo, Amharic, Hararii, Somali, Arabic and Swedish. All the songs he sings in other languages are even more popular with those who speak those languages. Ali is well known in Sudan as the country’s artists.
Ali is a master of many professions. He is an expert in art, language and culture. He can play five types of musical instruments. He is a composer of music. He produces fascinating poems that quickly penetrate the heart and are always loved. Above all, he has a unique voice. This makes him one of the top artists in our country.
When he sang on stage, he was even more beautiful. It is eye-catching. Even the foreigners said he had a “magnetic attraction”. His songs are always appealing because of his professional quality, strong messages, and excited vocals. The saying of “Music is the Language of the World” was tangible and expresses his work. In general, Ali has sung 267 songs. All his timeless songs are lovely and interesting. His music breaks the boundaries of time to be passed down from generation to generation.
His songs are so popular and widely used by non-Oromo listeners. His music, which is in a great demand, is played in all night clubs. It is also preferred for decorating weddings, etc. While artist Ali deserves respect and awards for fighting and being a voice for the people he was born and raised in his native country .He has been subjected to torture and imprisonment many times. He left the country in 1984 with his wife, Bergita Astrom, a Swedish diplomat in Ethiopia, and lived in Sweden, the United States and Saudi Arabia.
He went to Canada and lived there for many years until he returned to Ethiopia. There he married Lili Markos (Lillie Birraa) and lived a good life. While abroad, he continued his career by touring the United States, Europe, Australia, the Middle East and performing in various countries. Ali Birra was a visionary. When the Oromos were subject to covert discrimination and Oromo symbols were underplayed, Karaan Galma Abbaa Gadaa eessa? (where is the road to the Abba Gadaa Hall?) was a song that raised serious questions of the time. Many years after singing this song, he returned to the country and saw his wishes answered.
Many scholars and musicologists worldwide have studied his work. He has also received over a hundred internationally recognized and prestigious awards from various countries, governments, institutions, associations and universities, not to mention the countless awards he received during his exhibitions.
He passed away last year after undergoing treatment at home and abroad due to serious health problems. The iconic singer of the Oromo, Ethiopian and African art had ceased to be. Our country, Ethiopia, has lost its eldest son. Although this great artist has no children he has produced thousands of artists.
Ali Birra will live forever in the hearts of the people with his 60 years of artistic works. He is a man who left a great message in our homes and gave us a great reward. His legacy will live with respect among today’s and tomorrow’s generations. He will be remembered and praised forever for his great work.
(TRANSLATED FROM BARIISAA)
BY NAOL GIRMA
The Ethiopian Herald November 19/2023
