By Tahav Agerzua
In 1989, I had the privilege of interviewing Yamuel Yashi, one of the founding figures of Swange Music and Dance. That interaction has continued to resonate with me to this day.
During the interview, Yashi shared the story of his early life, one marked by hardship, neglect, and denied opportunities for formal education. His mother left his father and remarried, leaving him in the care of others. This situation forced him to relocate in search of refuge among his maternal kinsmen, where he unfortunately found no support.
Amid these struggles, he found solace in music. He began learning and singing the works of prominent composers in his locality, which eventually led to the discovery and development of his own unique talent.
Interestingly, his search for his mother played a significant role in the journey that led to the emergence of what would later become one of the most popular Tiv dances.
Yashi also experienced deep personal losses. His wife tragically drowned, and the patron who had promised to support his remarriage lost his life during the Nigerian Civil War.
Remarkably, Yashi transformed these difficult life experiences into some of the most enduring and philosophical musical compositions of his time.
Tune in to ASKiNG RADIO 98.5 SPEED FM, Makurdi, between 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm on Saturday, 28th March 2026, as Tahav Agerzua discusses the life and legacy of the legendary Yamuel Yashi on the programme Gurgur man msaanyol.
Listeners are also invited to call in and contribute during the programme using the studio phone lines that will be announced on air.
For those interested, both the summary and full details of the interview with Yashi can be found in Legends and Mbaduenti 1, published by Culture Media Nigeria, located at No. 8 Atom Kpera Road, High Level, Makurdi. Enquiries can also be made via WhatsApp on 070 31216041.
