Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
Baye Fall music, it's something spiritual. It's something you feel.
It's easy to mistake Senegal's dreadlocked Baye Falls for Rastafarians.
But instead of Christianity, these West Africans use music to praise Islam.
Baye Falls are the Sufi mystics of Senegal.
They are Muslim, and they spend their life in devotion to the creator Allah.
Baye Fall musician Moudou Mbaye says
the difference between Rastas and Baye Falls is simple but significant.
Rastas believe in Halie Selassie
and we believe in Mame Cheikh Ibrahima Fall.
Ibrahima Fall preached hard work and simplicity, say his followers.
He devoted himself to Cheikh Amadou Bamba, a spiritual leader
who founded the Islamic Mouride brotherhood.
It's a simple way of life. We do not carry life like a burden.
No. If you want something in the here after, you have to leave it.†
Bamba also founded the Mourides' capital city, Touba, Senegal.
And Baye Falls, along with other Mourides, make a pilgrimage to the city of Touba every year.
Baye Falls are the pure Muslims. Because you cannot be a Baye Fall without praying to God.
You cannot be a Baye Fall without praying to the Prophet.
You cannot be a Baye Fall without being a believer.
You must always be present. Don't be absent.
Always live in the moment.
Live a spiritual life, and do not be false.
But the group has its naysayers.
Some Baye Falls often beg for money,
which they give to their spiritual guide, or marabout.
They also hold all-night musical events to honor both past and present marabouts.
It's sacred music. It's not just any kind of music.
You know, we use that music for the chant, for the harvesting, planting.
So it takes part in our day-to-day life.
Baye Falls do not pray five times a day,
nor do they fast during Ramadan.
And in a country that is 94 percent Muslim, this often draws criticism.
They don't integrate into daily live. They don't dress like others.
They don't live like others.
They are persecuted also as people who profit from the generosity of others
and who don't have their own work.
That casts a shadow over the popular conception of the Baye Falls.
Mouduou says Baye Falls are misunderstood.
Music and hard work are their forms of prayer.
And even if they live in the margins of society,
they say are using their music to reach out to that society.
The music, it's a messenger.
The message to safely guard the universe. To guard the country.
To guard safely our religion.
You see, that is a divine music.
It has a history. We are not doing it just to enjoy ourselves.
But, it is a way of worshipping God.
Being what I am, the kind of man I am.
I'm proud of what I am. Let me be for Cheikh Fall.