Abdullah Ibrahim's 'Mannenberg' and the Sound of Freedom

The article recounts the story of Abdullah Ibrahim's jazz piece 'Mannenberg,' which became an unofficial anthem of South Africa during apartheid. In 1974, Ibrahim (then known as Dollar Brand) recorded the track in a studio in South Africa. The piece features a distinctive sound produced by thumbtacks placed on the piano hammers, creating a metallic tone. The hypnotic fourteen-minute composition, built on seven repeating notes, was reportedly heard by Nelson Mandela in Robben Island prison, where a lawyer smuggled in a recording despite the ban on music. Ibrahim, born in 1934, had been in exile for years after being discovered by Duke Ellington in a Zurich club. His music blends African traditional sounds, Cape Malay chants, and jazz. The article also notes that while the Venice Biennale showcases artists from the Global South, Ibrahim's music continues to resonate.