By Mohamed M. Sesay
She is certainly Sierra Leone most celebrated female traditional songster from the Mende tribal group. Her musical prowess has survived decades, transitioning from local instrument of beaded “shegbulla” and drums and is now melding in the acoustic of computers to produce albums that expands her audience and fame.
This year is her career high point and she is edifying the experience of being flown to the Dubai Expo. It is no doubt her first experience of flight in an aeroplane and she confessed that the takeoff and landing made her edgy.
She recounts the experience in gleeful rendition of the song she is currently working on “GI YA DUBAI GU WA WEI”. It translates that she has gone to Dubai and returned.
It was actually a surprise package for her when she received the call from the first lady Fatima Bio for her and crew members to report to Freetown without providing the details of the call. Whilst in Freetown the news was broached to her that she will be part of the government entertainment delegation to showcase Sierra Leonean art and culture at that global platform. It was heartwarming, yet there was the psychological unease. But she had to go; and went and returned to sing song the experience.
So when she returned we went to look for Amie Kallon in Kenema, eastern provincial headquarter town. We sought to know a range of issues beyond the Dubai experience and she has been very revealing.
The 72 years old traditional songster retraced her musical genius at age 12. She comes from the family background of musical prodigy. Her late father was an expert drummer and Islamic scholar. Also, her aunty was a gifted singer. The duo influenced Amie Kallon to a large extent in becoming the national icon she is today. For Amie Kallon her music is antidotal, suggesting that even if you are in sick bed you can find relief by just listening to the melodious voice and sagely vibes interlaced with matching rhythm that appeal to all tribal groupings.
Amie Kallon was married to one Sanu Fofana in the village of Limba Bagbo but poverty separated them apart which was the more reason she intensified her musical career. After ten years of separation between her and her first husband, the committed cultural songster was on musical stage plying her trade from place to place in the countryside. Her beauty and euphonious musical voice mesmerized Chief Salia Koroma of Futa Pejeh. Chief Salia Koroma then married her till he passed away. After the demise of Chief Salia Koroma, Amie Kallon also had another partner who also died three years after their marriage. This Sierra Leone finest Traditional female musical icon gave birth to six children four are alive and two have answered to the inevitable call of God.
Amie Kallon is nearing retirement and the fear is who will fill her place when she is going to pass away.
She responded to this question indicating that she has earmarked and currently training two of her biological children and two grandchildren to succeed her legacy.
She has featured them on many of her hit songs. One of her daughters who is a nurse has also produced a traditional song recently. She said one of her recent popular songs “Jemebo” has inspired many Sierra Leoneans to inculcate the habit of going into traditional music.
She has also feature local artists especially the Ambassador of the Country’s Entertainment Industry, Denis Turay (Aka Kao Denero) has also featured her on a track.
However, with all her over sixty years of prominence in the traditional musical limelight, the true legendary of Traditional Music (Amie Kallon) has no accommodation for her and her crew. She is faced with acute mobility and accommodation challenges. The down to earth traditional melodious singer said her popularity does not reflect her living condition.
Amie Kallon has purchased two acres of land of which she is now soliciting support from Government and other well-wishers for the establishment of a Traditional Theatre Village in the East of Sierra Leone. She said the Ministry of Tourism has gone to the extent of launching her two acres of land for an establishment of a cultural village which will serve as a host for all traditional dancers and singers in the country.
Another mind boggling issue to the 72 year old Amie Kallon and even among her fans is about her successor. Among the disciples of Amie Kallon, who will aptly sing in the Popular Amie Kallon’s tuneful and mesmerizing voice upon her retirement? This is the one million dollar question which Amie Kallon herself cannot answer.