Zarraf

Zarraf is a song by Somalian-born Italian singer with Ethiopian roots Saba Anglana. It was chosen as the Somalian entry for the Own Africavision Song Contest 5 and achieved the best results for Somalia until now.

About the song
Zarraf in the Ethiopian tradition is a word to get courage, a war cry, a global call to defend something. Historical chronicles tell of how the songs linked to this expression have been, in the years of Italian colonization, the most effective weapon to fight and then overcome the enemy. In this song, "Zarraf" is also a cry for redemption, the one that is born in the belly of a city abused, that leaves behind the weakest ones. "Zarraf" is the flame that brings in his body the one who does not give up: this fire is personified by the great dancer Melaku Bela, once a street child, now beloved and succesfull artist. "Zarraf" is also the song of a woman who stands up, reacting to the wounds of a battle of love. The video was shot in the changing city of Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, ancient land of pride and courage.

The disc speaks of the nostalgia of places and traditions constantly erased by the progress (Tizita), tells the problem of non-membership (Abebech) and the difficulty to recognize herself (Ma Celin Karo); the resulting individual somatization (Gabriel), loss and reacquisition of innocence (Makaan Yara). A reaction opposes to this dissolution (Zarraf) and it’s created right there, in the belly of the city. Music to find and reveal the human element, the sentiment that lifts, defends his diversity, his right to tell and resist. Musically the record digs into traditional structure of pentatonic scales on an acoustic basis, with double bass, drums, accordion and sometimes viola. The structure, as essential and balanced between worlds as possible, create an intimate, personal soundtrack for this global era of deep changes.

Zarraf is also known as one of, if not the best and most iconic songs to have ever graced the Own Contests. On 16 December 2021, Zarraf was among the 30 finalists of Own Song of the Year 2021 which greatly proves its quality and impact on Own Contests community.