EPICUREANISM: THE DENOUNCEMENT OF LIFE AFTER DEATH BELIEF IN TWIN M’S “NDIZIFINYIKA”

REVIEWER: Esteemed Ziliro Mchulu, Malawi. 

Music represents the reality of what the society perceives in different dimensions of life. It’s through music that one can judge the societal view on different issues based on how an artist has presented the issue in the song. The song “Ndizifinyika” by Twin M is a protest song. The song protests against different issues that people face in the society and encourages new ways of doing things, while the song protest against many issues, one notable issue deals with the belief in life after death. The song denounces life after death dogmas by offering an alternative view based on epicurean philosophy which argues that pleasure is the chief good in life and people live once.

The two brothers who form Twin M released the song some months ago and the song was and is all over. One reason why the song was received positively is because many people like songs that addresses their problems. They want songs that hit the point and at times they want songs that give hope even when there in none. I guesstimate this is why Gwamba’s song “Better” was a household tune because it appealed to people’s problems.

Twin M whether consciously or unconsciously sensationalised the epicurean viewpoint which prioritises human pleasure and deplores life after death. To understand the philosophy better you can read it but the summary presented will offer a good background for the essay. The song talks about unquestioned pleasure where by the persona does not want to be questioned on how he or she is managing his life. For example, the song argues that one has to be left to marry the person he or she wants without objection. Marriage is an entity of sexual pleasure hence this is a confidential entity that needs to be respected by third parties.

The song has no kind words for people who are fond of exerting control on people’s hard earned money. These are people who want to teach others how to spend their money as if they were part of the hustle. They are fond of statements like “ndalama angothela mowa, ndalama angothela akazi”. These statements are made because some people think we can have a universal way of spending money and finding pleasure. The song begs all who are affectionate of this to stop, “Magobo ndimagwira ndekha zikalowa ndimafuna kusangalala, kodi ndizinyika?”.

 The song brings an issue of who owns one’s life. Those who believe in god/God believe that god/God is the owner of their life and they have to live to please him or her. However, the song empowers one to understand that you are the owner of your life. Your life is in your hands and you are at liberty to do whatever you want if it means having pleasure. The song is in line with the ideas of Napoleon hill in “outwitting the Devil”.  “Mesa moyo ndi wanga? Ndizipanika?”,  moyo ndi wathu, tisangalale”. However, this view might go against many religious ambiances because to them life belongs to their “father”. Who owns your life?

 As a dramatization of Epicurus philosophy and Hedonism ideas the song pushes on by telling the listeners that you enjoy in this life and when you die all is over. It is said that when you see the mouth of a dead man you will appreciate why you need to speak when you are alive and the philosophy is the same in the song. “mbokosi mulibe bar, mbokosi mulibe party” are examples of some pleasures that are here with us. Based on the song, drinking of beer is one of the things that you need to be doing when you are alive because when you die you will not drink. The song promotes pleasure in all its directions because it moves on to say that there is no party when you die. The song in summary preaches the gospel according to Epicurus that have fun when you are alive.

 As an exit message, the song goes against religious believes that there is life after death by the maxim “Moyo, Moyo ndi Kamozi”. This line is very strong and it is the nucleus of the song. The way the producer placed and fused it, speaks volumes of the competency of Jay Emm. The lad new that this is a killer punch and should come as finale. This statement crashes ideas of many people who believe in life after death. People have different versions of the place they will go after death and how. Almost all religions have this belief but the Twins think otherwise. They agree to Epicurus, "Letter to Menoeceus". Epicureanism rejects immortality. It believes in the soul, but suggests that the soul is mortal and material, just like the body. Epicurus rejected any possibility of an afterlife, while still contending that one need not fear death. In this case you need to enjoy this life because there is no other life. Don’t assume that you will live again.

 While the song is a darling to many, some ideas proclaimed need to be taken with open mind. The song by implication promotes a certain degree of arrogance that is not good for peace and harmony in society. The song encourages people to put their pleasure on top of everything. Pleasure without conscious is disastrous to both physical and spiritual life. Whenever people advise you on what to do, do not take the advice with the “Ndizifinyika?” approach. Take time to listen and see if indeed they are not making sense. The Ndizifinyika approach is suicidal because not everything people say is bad. Furthermore, man is a social being and exist with others. It is good to look at others welfare together with ours, if your neighbour cannot afford a vegetable for Nsima is social justice to cook Bonya inside your house. The song brings a Kuswa Kuswa way of handling life and it’s up to you to decide on how you will run your life. No your limits.

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