the djembe drum legend shares insights on the popularity of African music in the United States and beyond

Mother is supreme.

We say that a man is the head of the family and that his wife does his bidding; that a child belongs to his father and his family and not to his mother and her family; and that a man belongs to his fatherland and not to his motherland. And yet we say Nneka - Mother is Surpreme
Why is that?

You do not know the answer?

So you see that you are a child. You are a great man in your clan. But you are still a child, my child. Listen to me and I shall tell you... Here’s one more question: Why is it that when a woman dies she is taken home to be buried with her own kinsmen? She is not buried with her husband’s kinsmen. Why is that?

You do not know that either!

Then listen to me:
It is true that a child belongs to its father. But when a father beats his child, it seeks sympathy in its mother’s hut. A man belongs to his fatherland when things are good and life is sweet. But when there is sorrow and bitterness he finds refuge in his motherland.

Your mother is there to protect you... That is why we say that Mother is supreme!