Popular Nigerian singer Rema’s show in ETHIOPIA cancelled because of his customized necklace
Popular Nigerian singer Rema's show in ETHIOPIA cancelled because of his customized necklace
Popular Nigerian singer Rema’s show in ETHIOPIA cancelled because of his customized necklace
Rema, a well-known Nigerian artist, suffered a big setback when Hotel Addis abruptly postponed his much-anticipated New Year’s Eve concert in Ethiopia, which was set for September 9. A backlash of public outrage and criticisms over Rema’s symbolism choices, which many saw as gravely disrespectful to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, led to this cancellation.
Ethiopia, known for its staunch adherence to its historical traditions, objected to Rema’s custom-made necklace and the pictures adorning his stage backdrop. Inverted crosses and burning churches were widely displayed in these images, which some perceived as having satanic overtones and showing extreme disrespect for the church.
The significance of cultural sensitivity when artists travel to other countries is starkly underscored by this episode. Even seemingly innocent symbols can unintentionally incite controversy and have unanticipated results in a nation like Ethiopia, where faith and tradition have great relevance.
