DakhaBrakha (Give & Take)
Photo credit Olga Zakrevska www.dakhabrakha.com.ua
DakHaBrakha
(Give & Take)
There is much we westerners have yet to learn about Ukraine, but what continues to surface for those of us who are willing to go there, is the operating theme of mysticism, Ukraine’s otherworldly calling to humanity that is begging us to align us with a collective or global soul (or at the very least our own soul), a heroic tradition, a courage that understands the primal meaning behind chaos and creativity. I felt extremely privileged to experience DakhaBrakha, the Ukrainian Quartet a couple of weeks ago at an intimate venue somewhere in the Berkshires. Honestly, I don’t think I have been so wow’d since I saw Bob Marley perform before his untimely death many a year ago.
Both performances generate trance-like appeals to their task of summoning spirit, whether it be nature, human or ancestral forces you feel the connection and it is mighty. DakhaBrakha is rooted in deep beats, mind-blowing rhythmic incantations and emotional harmonies that will knock your socks off. Musical instruments looked like something straight of Tolkien mixing innovative Ukrainian folk music with an Arabic and African influence. It seems they can go from zero to 100, recalibrating their summoning spirits at will, yes, they are that polished. At times they are reflective, quiet, in mourning are they summoning Baba Yaga, the faery tale Slavic grandmother witch who is part sinister trickster, part harbinger of transformation? The essential catalyst of change?
The tasks of Baba Yaga are steeped in impossibility and the confrontation (and ultimate healing of, as is the trickster’s job) the shadow self. Much of folklore, faery tale healing comes from being nature’s ally. The more you dance with nature the more she gives. It seems to me many of the Ukrainian people dance with nature and have experienced the harmony of life that evolves from this deep reverence. DakhaBrakha on tour is seemingly transmuting the darkest of shadows- the shadow that is Putin. Their dance is rooted in cultural distinctions that understands the task of true art is to reveal the truth, and to be revered as such, one must come from their own story . . . as I experienced, they nailed it.
Standing around wide-eyed after the performance, my dearest friend Barry whispered in my ear, “We are going to help rebuild Ukraine.” “Yes,” I smiled.
#nowar #stopputin
www.dakhabrakha.com.ua
Stay true,
MG