Issa Bagayogo Nogo (2002)
These days, in the industrialized world, we live in environments that are nearly sterile. Over-sanitized environments can weaken our immune systems, making us more sensitive to germs and allergens. That’s why some say it’s healthy for kids to play in the mud: it gives their bodies a chance to battle germs naturally and build up stronger defenses.
But as the physician Paracelsus famously said: the dose makes the poison. A little dirt can build resilience, but too much—or outright unsanitary conditions—can have the opposite effect. Societies struggle to thrive when basic hygiene is lacking: infant mortality rises, and life expectancy drops. In fact, in the 19th century, the average English laborer rarely lived past 40—not just because of grueling work but also due to the dire sanitary conditions in the overcrowded and often overlooked working-class districts.
This reality is still all too familiar in many poorer countries today. Malian artist Issa Bagayogo captures it powerfully on “Nogo”, our song of the day . The chorus, “nogo magni,” translates to “filth is harmful.” From there, he goes on to sing about the toll this takes on people's lives—a sobering message wrapped in hypnotic rhythm.
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