On July 26, as a army coup was underway within the West African nation of Niger, the airwaves of Télé Sahel, the state tv station, stuffed with upbeat music movies praising the army. Some of those movies had been circulating for years, however since a gaggle of generals toppled the democratically elected president in July, Niger has witnessed a revival of both old and new military propaganda, now remixed for the TikTok era.

In interviews, a dozen artists, teachers and leisure executives plugged into the Nigerien music scene stated that what might be seen as a paradox within the West — an outpouring of latest movies and music beneath army rule — made sense in a rustic with a protracted historical past of griot tradition, the place storytellers and keepers of oral historical past praised figures of authority. Fear and respect towards the army are additionally deeply entrenched inside the society, analysts stated.

It isn’t clear what number of Nigeriens assist the army takeover. But the widespread attraction of those songs and movies gives a window into the layered historical past and sentiments that exist between Nigeriens and the army, which has been omnipresent within the nation’s political life by means of 5 coups in 50 years and, these days, a battle with Islamist insurgencies.

They additionally make clear why many in Niger have partially welcomed the tip of democratic rule that they related to endemic corruption, financial hardship and restricted freedom of expression, together with for artists.

Drums of conflict and the silence of censorship

As hundreds of individuals took to the streets of the capital, Niamey, in early August in assist of the brand new junta Souleymane and Zabeirou Barké, two brothers, joined the crowds to shoot their newest music video.

Among throngs of males assembled in entrance of the nation’s nationwide meeting, the inexperienced and orange Nigerien flags, raised fists and defiant messages in opposition to Western nations offered an excellent backdrop for his or her new tune, “Niger Guida,” or “Niger My Home” within the Hausa language.

The threat of a military intervention by a bloc of West African nations has solely strengthened the resolve of younger Nigeriens to defend their nation and prompted some artists to denounce the threats in scathing songs.

“Niger is our home, whoever tries to attack us will face the consequences,” the Barké brothers, who’re of their 30s and make up the favored rap group MDM, say within the tune, which has been broadcast on Télé-Sahel. “We are not afraid of death, come and kill us.”