Kathmandu- Buffalo Soldier” is a reggae song written by Bob Marley and Noel Williams and recorded by Bob Marley and the Wailers. “Buffalo Soldier” relates to the issues of race, class, and socioeconomic inequality, especially amongst blacks in America. Further, provides a thorough classification of the Reggae genre, style, tempo, and instrumentation.
Bob Marley demonstrates the theme of reggae in “Buffalo Soldier,’ a militant song that emphasizes the need for people in the emigration, especially America, to fight against political and social inequality. Contrary, to the contemporary portrayal of Marley’s music as the symbolization of solidarity, unification, love, hope, and Rastafarianism. “Bob Marley ranks among both the most popular and the most misunderstood figures in modern culture.”
Marley’s “Buffalo Soldier” is inspired by the autocratic subjugation and continued marginalization of people discriminated in America. For example, Jim Crow and many other policies were a part of the United States’ liberal history from 1776 until the 1960s.” As an example, Marley starts the song by saying “There was a Buffalo Soldier in the heart of America, Stolen from Africa, brought to America, Fighting on arrival, fighting for survival.” The term Buffalo soldier refers to the Black American Cavalry Regiment during the Indian War following 1866.” Marley equated their fight for survival as a revolutionary symbol of black resistance, heroism, and patriotism. Hence, Marley’s metaphor of the Buffalo soldiers illustrates the fearlessness, and the courage of black Americans, ancestors of African slaves.
The song aims to shed light on the significance of those people in the betterment and enrichment of America, which under such consideration are equally deserving of basic civil liberties, free from oppression, marginalization, and inequality.
