"Jaga cam kwää jiy" ("Those who eat the sweat of others") by Okello Agaamu

Okello Agaamu is a brilliant singer and composer living in a rural part of Gambella region called Gok. Okello has been composing his own songs since 1974 and is renown in the area for his music.

He composed this particular song ("Jaga cam kwää jiy") around 1982, during Ethiopia's Communist government (called the Derg). At the time, a rebel movement (called Gambella People's Liberation Movement, or GPLM) had arisen in Gambella and withdrawn to the bush, where they waged guerrilla warfare against the Derg militia. This song addresses the rebels, telling them to come back and join the government again instead of starving in the bush. The title "Those who eat the sweat of others" refers to the rebels' stealing food from the local community to sustain themselves.

The Communist government was overtaken in 1991 by rebel fighters, but Okello still acknowledges the good that the Derg accomplished for the people in his area. Due to Cold War propaganda, Western nations have a tendency to demonize Communist regimes. However, though Ethiopia's Communist government was certainly oppressive and violent at times, Okello appreciates the productivity and stability that the Derg promoted. He said that the bans on drinking alcohol until people came back from work was beneficial for his community, for example.

Okello still continues to compose actively in the post-Derg era. He is quite the progressive thinker, and he composes songs promoting development initiatives (such as building roads) and teaching about proper healthcare practices. Okello has attended trainings on HIV prevention and Guinea-Worm eradication and composed songs teaching people about these health issues. Like many Anywaa composers with whom I spoke, Okello says that most of his songs address the problems he sees among his people. "Jaga cam kwää jiy" is not so much political, then, as it is Okello's advise to individuals for maintaining the stability of his community.