Evison Matafale
Encyclopedia
Evison Matafale was a Malawian Rastafarian whose music rose to popularity in Malawi. He was the founder and leader of the Reggae
band Black Missionaries
. Matafale rose to fame and became one of Malawi's favourite musicians by 2000 through the release of his debut album, Kuyimba 1, in 1999. Matafala was known as "the prophet" in Malawi and was seen as an elder amongst the community of Malawian Rastafarians.
He later disppeared from the public scene as he was diagnosed with tuberculosis
and forced to cut his dreadlocks
in order to get medical treatment. He died at the age of 32 in police custody in 2001.
Matafale blended his music with a more serious political message with their Rasta philosophy and messages of peace, love and unity in Malawi.
denouncing his government's policies. In the letters he wrote he denounced the president's preferential treatment of Muslims and Asian traders and accused him of exploiting ordinary Malawians. He called for respect for all people of Malawi.
. He was taken into custody to be questioned and the police assured his mother that this was routine and that he would be released in a few hours. He was transferred to Lilongwe
overnight, however, and according to his autopsy report at Lilongwe Central Hospital by administrator Charles Mwasambo, they revealed that that Matafale died of severe pneumonia
. He stated that there was no evidence of torture. There was an investigation into the claims of police negligence since he died of natural causes due to an illness while in police custody.
for his funeral, though it was dreadlocked members of the Rastafarian community in Malawi that dominated the ceremony, turning it into a celebration of his life. Matafale himself had made a prophecy about his death, stating that
""I don't fear death because my Bible tells me that I should fear the one that kills both body and spirit, not the body alone." - Matafale
awarded Matafale the Achiever of Malawi Order of National Achiever Award, and a gift of money to his family. His uncle, Charles Gunsaru, expressed the family’s gratitude and said the bereaved family regarded it as an honour.
Reggae
Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.Reggae is based...
band Black Missionaries
Black Missionaries
Black Missionaries are a popular reggae band from the African country of Malawi.The Black Missionaries are primarily active in the city of Blantyre, and members reside in Chileka. The band had originally five members, namely Evison Matafale, Peter Amidu, and three of the seven sons of Robert...
. Matafale rose to fame and became one of Malawi's favourite musicians by 2000 through the release of his debut album, Kuyimba 1, in 1999. Matafala was known as "the prophet" in Malawi and was seen as an elder amongst the community of Malawian Rastafarians.
He later disppeared from the public scene as he was diagnosed with tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
and forced to cut his dreadlocks
Dreadlocks
Dreadlocks, also called locks, a ras, dreads, "rasta" or Jata , are matted coils of hair. Dreadlocks are usually intentionally formed; because of the variety of different hair textures, various methods are used to encourage the formation of locks such as backcombing...
in order to get medical treatment. He died at the age of 32 in police custody in 2001.
Rastafarian
Matafale was a Rastafarian who wore dreadlocks.Matafale blended his music with a more serious political message with their Rasta philosophy and messages of peace, love and unity in Malawi.
Political Activism
He was an outspoken political activist in Malawi. His music reflects his views against the policies of the Muluzi government. His brother, Elton, told journalists the singer was arrested and tortured by the police. Prior to his arrest he had written a series of letters to President Bakili MuluziBakili Muluzi
Elson Bakili Muluzi is a Malawian politician. He was the President of Malawi from 1994 to 2004 and was Chairman of the United Democratic Front until 2009.-Presidency:...
denouncing his government's policies. In the letters he wrote he denounced the president's preferential treatment of Muslims and Asian traders and accused him of exploiting ordinary Malawians. He called for respect for all people of Malawi.
Arrest and Detainment
He was arrested on 24 November 2001 after writing a series of complaint letters to the Mulkuzi government and detained at Maula Prison. At the time of his arrest, he had a dispute with an Asian Merchant in Malawi and was also suffering from malariaMalaria
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals caused by eukaryotic protists of the genus Plasmodium. The disease results from the multiplication of Plasmodium parasites within red blood cells, causing symptoms that typically include fever and headache, in severe cases...
. He was taken into custody to be questioned and the police assured his mother that this was routine and that he would be released in a few hours. He was transferred to Lilongwe
Lilongwe
Lilongwe, estimated population 902,388 as of 2009, is the capital and largest city of Malawi. It lies in the country's central region, on the Lilongwe River, near the border of Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia, and on the main north-south highway of Malawi, the M1.-History:The city started life as a...
overnight, however, and according to his autopsy report at Lilongwe Central Hospital by administrator Charles Mwasambo, they revealed that that Matafale died of severe pneumonia
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
. He stated that there was no evidence of torture. There was an investigation into the claims of police negligence since he died of natural causes due to an illness while in police custody.
Funeral
Thousands of Malawians have attended the funeral of the artist after his sudden death in prison. It is estimated that 10,000 descended to the town of Chileka near BlantyreBlantyre, Malawi
Blantyre or Mandala is Malawi's centre of finance and commerce, the largest city with an estimated 732,518 inhabitants . It is sometimes referred to as the commercial capital of Malawi as opposed to the political capital, Lilongwe...
for his funeral, though it was dreadlocked members of the Rastafarian community in Malawi that dominated the ceremony, turning it into a celebration of his life. Matafale himself had made a prophecy about his death, stating that
""I don't fear death because my Bible tells me that I should fear the one that kills both body and spirit, not the body alone." - Matafale
Honours
In 2010 on Independence Day, President Bingu wa MutharikaBingu wa Mutharika
Bingu wa Mutharika is a Malawi economist who is President of Malawi. He took office on 24 May 2004 after winning a disputed presidential election...
awarded Matafale the Achiever of Malawi Order of National Achiever Award, and a gift of money to his family. His uncle, Charles Gunsaru, expressed the family’s gratitude and said the bereaved family regarded it as an honour.