"Masufferer" Culture

Enough folk have probably heard of "masufferer" the other day thanks to Mbusi and Bonoko of Ghetto radio. Unfortunately/fortunately, I was exposed to the terminology in my teenage years. Reggae music worsened it - disclaimer: I love reggae, but y'all know that reggae music tackles "a whole heap" of social issues but poverty and suffering stands out. From Ska, Rock steady, Reggae, riddims (not necessarily in that order), fifty percent of the message is "sufferation". However, the artists are genuinely addressing social issues in Jamaica, Africa and third world in general; which is okay.

I have no beef with Stephen marley and his siblings when just like their late dad, they cover their faces and grimace as if pepper got into their eyes during their concerts to depict suffering, No.. None at all, especially because they entertain and mint money while at it. It's the mitaani version of "masufferer" that I have beef with. In my opinion, it's a deliberate attempt by some "ghetto" youths at glorifying their present economical challenges which kills ambition and subsequently worsens the status quo. It's a worrying trend.

"Massufferer" quotes include the following: "Tunaomba serikali...", "buda wewe ni sos, niachie za macho", "Mzae nakwaambia graph ya maisha ishachorwa..", "Mababi wanabore, ni either watoboke au tuwapige ngeta", "masomo sio suruali" etc. The saddest clique of masufferer is the brethren with bloodshot eyes whose favourite past time is chewing miraa and listening to the "message" in reggae music as they share sodas, chewing gums and njugu karanga. They are known to dance with fists in the air occassionally exclaiming "Jah rastafari" oblivious of it's meaning. Shindwe kabisaaa!!

Growing up in the slopes of mount Kenya, I have encountered my fair share of rural massufferer. In their book, anyone from the city (whether working or in college) is rich and should buy them a shot/bottle/keg of their favourite drink. You'll hear some say: "Walala!! Aki Henry ungekuwa huku last week, nilikua na pesa mbaiyaa, mimi ndo nilikua na-rule kwa bar. But mi hushow wathii, wewe ni msee wa power sana. Wewe ni kama bro". Chap heaps praises on you and finally gets to his main objective: "brathe, nibuyie keg mbili tu, sitaki tatu.. Ngota ju ya hiyo maneno".

Is the government listening? Arrest these bloody masufferers ...SMDH!!