Abou Chihabi

Music has provided a vehicle for fighting against social injustice and racial discrimination for Abou Chihabi. Performing with such bands as the Dragons, the Moroni Music Association, Black Angels and his own group, Folkomer Ocean, Chihabi has woven a blend of topical lyricism and Comoran, African and Jamaican music. A native of Grande-Comore, one of the islands that make up the archipelago of Comoros, in the Indian Ocean, at the northern end of the Mozambique Channel), Chihabi launched his musical career, in 1968, as a member of the Dragons. The following year, he toured West Africa with the Moroni Music Association. The experience inspired him to form Folkomore Ocean, upon the tour's conclusion. Chihabi reached his early apex, in 1976, when he won a prestigious song contest and the tune became the national anthem for the young, recently-independent, state of Comoros. His success, however, was short-lived. When a coup d-etet forced the new government to fall, he fled the country. After a brief stay in Kenya, he continued on to France in 1980. France provided a supportive base for Chihabi's music. He received a "Listener's Prize" in Radio France International's "Decouvertes" competition, in 1981, and a "Young Song" award in Quebec, the following year.