Il Potere Educativo del Rap | Alessio Mariani (Murubutu) | TEDxTaranto

Murubutu and the Healing Power of Words

• Alessio Mariani, also known as Murubutu, is a history and philosophy teacher and a rapper, who often gets asked about his students' opinions on his dual activities as a teacher and a rapper (21s).
• The name "Murubutu" has various meanings, but in sub-Saharan Africa, it refers to a shamanic figure who can heal physical and social ailments through talismans and words (35s).
• Mariani chose this name because he believes in the healing power of words, which can be used to cure ailments when used with attention and sensitivity (48s).
• The ancient Greek philosopher Gorgia stated that words are a powerful tool, capable of infusing courage, joy, and hope, and taking away fear (1m0s).

The Therapeutic and Literary Value of Rap Music

• When combined with music, words have an even greater healing power, as music is a cure for the soul, according to Plato, and a form of catharsis, or purification, according to Aristotle (1m34s).
• Mariani believes that music, particularly rap, has a therapeutic value and a great literary value, as it can convey complex ideas and emotions through lyrics (2m9s).
• Despite its potential, rap is often viewed as a lesser form of literature, and Mariani's colleagues are sometimes surprised that he makes rap music (2m23s).
• However, Mariani argues that rap is a form of literature, as it uses vocal techniques, metrics, and rhetorical figures to convey messages and tell stories (3m24s).
• Rap music has a huge potential for transmitting content, especially among young people, who are the primary audience for this genre (4m11s).
• Mariani believes that rap can be a powerful tool for education, as it can convey complex ideas and emotions in a way that is engaging and accessible to young people (4m22s).
• As a teacher, Mariani has seen the impact of rap music on his students and believes that it can be a valuable tool for teaching and learning (4m33s).

Rap as a Tool for Education and Engagement

• Generations of students are becoming increasingly isolated and auto-exiling themselves in virtual worlds, where their perception of the world is reduced, as they are only exposed to information that seems to interest them on social media (4m49s).
• Music can reach students in ways that traditional educational tools like news, books, and documentaries often cannot, as it can integrate education through cultural content (5m13s).

Expressing Literature and Current Events Through Rap

• Some educators question how to discuss complex literary topics, such as Gabriel García Márquez's "One Hundred Years of Solitude" or "Autumn of the Patriarch", through rap music (6m1s).
• An example of how literature can be expressed through rap is by referencing a piece that reflects on the immense and calm ocean, where the albatross returns after an eternal winter, symbolizing a character's journey (6m9s).
• Educators also wonder how to address current events, such as the anniversary of the Berlin Wall, through rap music, considering its complexity and relevance to contemporary issues like Trump's affinity for walls (7m31s).
• An example of how to address current events through rap is by referencing a song that reflects on the Berlin Wall, the conflict in Europe, and the Cold War, showing that complex topics can be expressed through this medium (8m12s).
• The song example mentions a character who is being taken away by the authorities in East Berlin, highlighting the division of the city and the impact of the wall on its people (8m38s).
• A story is told about a person who lived in East Berlin, where the Berlin Wall was built with barbed wire and concrete, separating people from the West, and the person's heart was lost in the process of separation (8m51s).
• The story describes the pain and longing for freedom and love, and how people tried to escape the city, with some using ropes and others trying to find a way out through checkpoints (9m17s).
• The story takes a turn when the Berlin Wall falls, and the city is reunited, bringing people together and healing the wounds of the past (10m13s).
• The story is revealed to be based on a true account from a journalistic investigation by Alessandra De Gaetano, titled "Al di là del muro" (Beyond the Wall), which is a brief novel that tells the story of Marcus Deva (11m32s).
• The use of rap music is highlighted as a way to make history more engaging and accessible to students who may be resistant to traditional teaching methods (11m51s).

The Story of the Berlin Wall in Rap

• Educators also wonder how to address current events, such as the anniversary of the Berlin Wall, through rap music, considering its complexity and relevance to contemporary issues like Trump's affinity for walls (7m31s).
• An example of how to address current events through rap is by referencing a song that reflects on the Berlin Wall, the conflict in Europe, and the Cold War, showing that complex topics can be expressed through this medium (8m12s).
• The song example mentions a character who is being taken away by the authorities in East Berlin, highlighting the division of the city and the impact of the wall on its people (8m38s).
• A story is told about a person who lived in East Berlin, where the Berlin Wall was built with barbed wire and concrete, separating people from the West, and the person's heart was lost in the process of separation (8m51s).
• The story describes the pain and longing for freedom and love, and how people tried to escape the city, with some using ropes and others trying to find a way out through checkpoints (9m17s).
• The story takes a turn when the Berlin Wall falls, and the city is reunited, bringing people together and healing the wounds of the past (10m13s).
• The story is revealed to be based on a true account from a journalistic investigation by Alessandra De Gaetano, titled "Al di là del muro" (Beyond the Wall), which is a brief novel that tells the story of Marcus Deva (11m32s).

Rap's Origins and Social Commentary

• The origins of rap music are discussed, highlighting its roots as a voice for minorities, and how it has evolved over time (12m10s).
• The importance of understanding and addressing the stigma surrounding disability is emphasized, highlighting the difference between a physical deficit and the social stigma that can come with it (12m41s).
• The story of Giulia is mentioned, who has declared war on stigma, and her story is introduced with music (12m59s).

Giulia: A Ballerina's Poem of Perseverance

• A poem about a ballerina named Giulia is recited, describing her passion for dance and her struggles with criticism and self-doubt, as she rises above the negativity and finds solace in her art (13m11s).
• The poem also touches on the themes of perseverance, hope, and the pursuit of one's dreams, as Giulia continues to dance despite the challenges she faces (13m32s).
• The poem's narrative is interwoven with imagery and metaphor, using the wind as a symbol of freedom and creativity, and emphasizing the importance of trusting oneself and finding inner strength (13m54s).
• The poem concludes with Giulia finding success and applause, but also touches on the idea that true fulfillment comes from within, and that one must continue to strive for their goals despite the obstacles they may face (15m39s).

Anelito: A Song of Love, Longing, and Transcendence

• The speaker then addresses the audience, explaining that their music often deals with themes of sadness and longing, and introduces a new song that tells a story of love, work, and the human desire for connection and transcendence (17m2s).
• The speaker explains that the concept of "anelito" or moral tension is central to the song, referencing the philosophical ideas of Immanuel Kant, who emphasized the importance of hope and the human desire for something greater than oneself (17m31s).
• The song is dedicated to those who are waiting for the return of someone they love, and the speaker invites the audience to listen to the song, which begins with the lyrics "Quand'è che mi porti con te?" or "When will you take me with you?" (17m48s).
• A woman waits for her husband, a sailor, to return from the sea, and despite his 30-year absence, she still waits for him every evening, lighting a candle and watching the sea from her window (18m18s).
• The woman's daily routine involves decorating the table with flowers and a vase of water with a branch of Bosso, symbolizing her love and wait for her husband (19m2s).
• The sailor would tell his wife about his experiences at sea, describing the landscapes and scenes he witnessed, from the coast of Genoa to the Azores, and the difficulties of his job (19m21s).
• The sailor's job is described as a solitary and exhausting one, with the sea being a harsh environment that can be unforgiving, and the sailor's eyes are said to be worn out from the experience (19m39s).
• The woman's wait for her husband is filled with a mix of hope and despair, as she imagines him navigating through rough seas and returning to her, but also fears the worst (19m46s).
• The sailor's returns are always a surprise, and he would bring gifts for his wife, such as a wedding dress from Cefalonia, which would delight her and make her feel loved (20m20s).
• The woman's love for her husband is described as a silent one, with the two communicating through gestures and glances, rather than words (21m7s).
• The story takes a turn when it is revealed that the sailor has been dead for 10 years, and the woman's wait has been in vain, but she continues to hold on to the memories of their love (20m47s).
• The woman's daily routine remains unchanged, even after her husband's death, as she continues to wait for him, lighting the candle and watching the sea, a testament to the enduring power of their love (21m15s).

The Sailor's Wife: A Story of Enduring Love and Loss

• A woman waits for her husband, a sailor, to return from the sea, and despite his 30-year absence, she still waits for him every evening, lighting a candle and watching the sea from her window (18m18s).
• The woman's daily routine involves decorating the table with flowers and a vase of water with a branch of Bosso, symbolizing her love and wait for her husband (19m2s).
• The sailor would tell his wife about his experiences at sea, describing the landscapes and scenes he witnessed, from the coast of Genoa to the Azores, and the difficulties of his job (19m21s).
• The sailor's job is described as a solitary and exhausting one, with the sea being a harsh environment that can be unforgiving, and the sailor's eyes are said to be worn out from the experience (19m39s).
• The woman's wait for her husband is filled with a mix of hope and despair, as she imagines him navigating through rough seas and returning to her, but also fears the worst (19m46s).
• The sailor's returns are always a surprise, and he would bring gifts for his wife, such as a wedding dress from Cefalonia, which would delight her and make her feel loved (20m20s).
• The woman's love for her husband is described as a silent one, with the two communicating through gestures and glances, rather than words (21m7s).
• The story takes a turn when it is revealed that the sailor has been dead for 10 years, and the woman's wait has been in vain, but she continues to hold on to the memories of their love (20m47s).
• The woman's daily routine remains unchanged, even after her husband's death, as she continues to wait for him, lighting the candle and watching the sea, a testament to the enduring power of their love (21m15s).