“Ich und mein Braai” by EES, 2024 – listen here

by Daria Sitniknova and Washeel Nasser*

EES, also known as Eric Sell, is a musician from Namibia who has won over audiences both locally and internationally with his lively energy. He hails from Windhoek and has become a big name on the Namibian music scene, acting as a cultural ambassador for the country. His music is unique, blending hip-hop, kwaito, and Afro-pop. You’ll find lively rhythms, and lyrics that often explore themes of love, unity, and pride in Namibia. EES seamlessly incorporates English, German, and Namibian languages like Oshiwambo and Afrikaans into his songs, adding a multicultural dimension to his work. He sees his music as a political project, having a “responsibility to do something good” to help his country become “a rainbow nation, living together in one country, no matter what colour you are.”

This review revolves around the song ‘Ich und mein Braai’, which, despite its short length, is delightful and full of life, it blends catchy melodies that are vibrant and invite listeners to dance to it and enjoy life. However it’s not just a nice dancing song it is filled with certain meanings and symbolism. We will pay attention to the symbol of the clothes color, the notion of male friendship and barbecue traditions.

 “Ich und mein Braai” is an upbeat and lively track by EES that perfectly captures the spirit of camaraderie and celebration around grilling – a beloved tradition in Namibia. Braai is not only a barbecue food, but a social event for family and friends in many African countries, that has more meaning than just eating grilled meet. It is associated with big gatherings between friends and family that enjoy the wooden smoke together. In Ees’s video, we see only two men alone: Ees with the featured singer The Hunta. There are no females, no friends or family present. Therefore, their only family both agree to flirt with, is the Braai, which they even call “mein Braai” (‘my barbeque’). It seems to be a source of warmth and love for the singer and his friend. 

This video reinforces one of the most stubborn gender stereotypes: men and barbecue. In 2010, Meghan Casserly explains in the journal Forbes, why men love grilling: “Grilling is sort of dangerous (there’s fire!), it lets dudes hang out together while also providing some sort of neutral entertainment (getting to watch one guy do stuff and possibly also criticizing him while he does it), and requires minimal cleaning (self-explanatory).” In “Ich und mein Braai,” the colors of clothing symbolize various aspects of identity and culture. Bright, vibrant colors often represent joy, celebration, and the lively atmosphere associated with gatherings, while more muted tones may reflect tradition and connection to one’s roots. The choice of colors can convey a sense of pride in Namibian culture and heritage.

The notion of male friendship is central to the song, highlighting the bond formed through shared experiences like grilling. The lyrics emphasize unity and the joy of spending time together, showcasing how these moments strengthen friendships. The act of cooking and enjoying a braai serves as a metaphor for connection, emphasizing that these gatherings are not just about food, but also about building relationships and creating lasting memories. Overall, the song beautifully intertwines color symbolism with themes of brotherhood and celebration.

Although most music nowadays is only popular because it fits a TikTok challenge and is no longer a source of deeper research, in his song of about three minutes, Ees however was able to introduce everyone to Braai and Namibian culture by using German with the NAM flava.

Notes

* During the time of learning German, our only source was German in Germany, although it is known that German is spoken in other regions than Germany, Austria and Switzerland, not many media such as songs, films or books came across our learning path. So our encounter with the Namibian singer Ees sparked our interest.

Links and sources

Eesy ees (Artist Website)

Jennings, R. (2019). The dubious masculinity of grilling, Why “manning the grill” is one of our most stubborn gender stereotypes. Vox

Krings, M. (2015). African appropriations: Cultural Difference, Mimesis, and Media. Indiana University Press.

Tolman, D. L. (2006). In a different position: Conceptualizing female adolescent sexuality development within compulsory heterosexuality. New Directions for Child and Adolescent Development 112, 71–89.