|
Artist: Simon and Garfunkel Confronting Bodies: Malawi Censorship Board Date of Action: 1980's? Specific Location: Malawi Description of Artwork: The song "Cecilia" by the US recording artists Simon and Garfunkel. Description of Incident: "...The reason for the ban is that Cecilia is also the name of President Banda's "Official Hostess" or mistress, Tamanda Kadzamira. The banning apparently coincided with a somewhat rocky phase in their relationship---"Cecilia/I'm down on my knees/ I'm begging you please to come home." Malwians apparently took to singing bowdlerized versions and even humming the tune was guaranteed to raise a smile...." Results of Incident: "...Ms. Kadzamira has since preferred to be known in public by her middle name of Tamanda...." Source: Human Rights Watch/Africa Watch, "Where Silence Rules, The Suppression of Dissent in Malawi," October 1990, Pg. 72 |