"Dwelling" Stanford Talisman Winter Show 2020-2021

Alongside the music of ‘Dwelling,’ we are calling our audience and to support the healing and generative work that the East Oakland Collective is doing in the East Bay. With our music and narrative sharing, we're asking ourselves and our community to reflect on the ideas of home, of shelter, of sanctuary. Not only are we approaching this year, our academics, and our music from various living situations and backgrounds, but we're aware of the fact that our school is standing on unceded indigenous lands and that with its increasing impact in the Bay Area and abroad local community members are being forced out of their homes and their ways of life every day. We are honored to help financially support the East Oakland Collective in their work.


We are accepting donations through Venmo (venmo @umaphatak)
We are absolutely thrilled to be able to share the songs and stories that we have encountered thus far. We hope that you enjoy this evening of reflection, joy, and love!

Introduction - John Okhiulu (he/they) 0:14

Song List:
1. Avulekile Amasango 2:09
The gates of heaven are open, we are crossing the river Jordan. It is so, It is so, Amen.

2. Baba Yetu 6:32
Directly translated, Baba Yetu means "Our Father" in Swahili. This rendition of the lord's prayer says, "Father I love you, father I praise you". Talisman alum Christopher Tin used the lyrics from this song to compose a theme for the popular Civilization IV video game using Talisman for the game's recording.

3. Wendeyaho 10:54
“Wendeyaho” is a traditional chant sung by the women of the Cherokee tribe as a part of morning prayers, facing the rising sun. We sing a version of the song that has been popularized by Walela, a trio of Cherokee women. However, it is not sung in Tsalagi, the Cherokee language, which is still spoken today by over 15,000 people. This song is sung in Tihanama, a language spoken by one of the last migratory tribes in North America, who would trade with dozens of other nations ranging from the Great Lakes to the Florida Panhandle. While Tihanama has very few speakers left and is in danger of extinction, the language lives on through its adoption by the Cherokee people through this chant. Their story and traditions provide the "missing link" that changes one’s understanding of and appreciation for the depth of Native American wisdom teachings. The translation is remembered by the Cherokee people as “I am of the great spirit, it is so.”

Donation Call 15:50

4. Modimo 17:27
The Modimo Trilogy is a combination of three hymns originally performed by the Soweto Gospel Choir. The trilogy opens with "Modimo," a song of awe and wonder at creation, and continues with "Izwi Lahlab'Inhliziyo Yami," a soulful confession of sin and proclamation of grace. The piece concludes with "Ke Na Le Modisa," a traditional South African interpretation of Psalm 23. Two of the 11 official languages of South Africa are represented in the trilogy. "Modimo" and "Ke Na Le Modisa" are sung in Sotho, and "Izwi Lahlab'Inhliziyo Yami" is in Zulu.

5. Hosanna 24:36
Hosana which in Hebrew means "Please save", is a song about miracles. These miracles take place in the midst of surrender; this song is a celebration of that celebration and salvation. Although Christian in its literal context, "Hosanna" evokes the universal sentiments of affirmation and hope vital to Talisman's repertoire. This arrangement is an interpretation of the Soweto Gospel Choir's version called "What the Lord Has Done in Me" written by Reuben Morgan.

6. E Hatta A Beta Apebba 29:26
This arrangement of E Hatta is based on a traditional song from Equatorial Guinea. Sung in Bubi (The nearly lost original language of the island of Bioko) and Spanish, it tells the story of two sisters who make a pact to always stay together. Our arrangement is based off of the original version by Hijas Del Sol, and aunt and niece duo from Equatorial Guinea.