Saro - Wiwa by Jim Sands

Saro-Wiwa is a beautiful song appropriate for International Human Rights Day (December 10) written and recorded by Jim Sands, a Vancouver musician and human rights activist. I met Jim as he was playing this song in 1998 at a Boycott $hell rally. The genesis is the tragic "judicial murder" by hanging in 1995 of Kenule "Ken" Beeson Saro-Wiwa and eight other Ogoni minority rights activists.* The Ogoni, an ethnic minority indigenous to the Niger River delta of Nigeria, have been ravaged by industry since the discovery of oil on their land. Saro Wiwa, one of the leaders of non-violent protests, brought world attention to the collusion of the main culprit Shell Oil and a government run by military dictatorship. The Ogoni Nine sham trials and hanging provoked international outrage.

Lest us not forget*

Kenule "Ken" Beeson Saro-Wiwa
Saturday Dobee
Nordu Eawo
Daniel Gbooko
Paul Levera
Felix Nuate
Baribor Bera
Barinem Kiobel
John Kpuine

Musicians:

Jim Sands: Guitar, Vocals
Franny Beazer: Background Vocals
Judy Lea: Background Vocals
Brian Siiver: Percusion
Vince Vialogos: Bass
Rob Taylor: Production
Poem "Dance" by Ken Saro Wiwa

Posted with the permission of Jim Sands.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Ken
• Saro
• Wiwa