Shivanah ’Black Bird’ born Shivan Pavin Alungnat is a Ugandan female recording artist under
the Afro-pop/Afro-Dancehall genre. She is an actress, song writer, feminist, who advocates for
basic human rights through her music. She started her music career as a dancer and an actress
performing in Kampala pubs and at concerts alongside several urban variety Entertainment
groups such as City Rock, Fantasies etc. In 2015, Shivanah alongside Fantasies Galz released the
hit single “Nsabatula nga Ngalabi”.
She then went solo and released a queer music album of 6 songs creating awareness against
homophobia, seeking freedom, equality, protection and justice for the LGBTIQ community in
Uganda and worldwide. And some of these songs were themes of Pride Uganda for several years
and well related to by the LGBTIQ community. By 2018, Shivanah had released successful
singles such as “Ice Bimbo” featuring Khalifah Aganaga and “Tonkwata Kko” and many other
successful singles.
In 2018 Shivanah unfortunately fell victim to sex trafficking and that’s how her music career
paused, as she took time to recover from the trauma.
Last year 2020, she got involved with the anti-trafficking sector as a survivor leader. She was
selected by Azadi Kenya to contribute to their inaugural class on survivor
leadership/empowerment, research, ethical storytelling and photography program led by Sophie
Otiende and organized by Survivor Alliance. She was able to go back to studio and make music
again. This didn’t just help her financially but also helped her regain her confidence to do music
and grow as an authentic musician who can turn her pain into content that everyone could learn
from to create awareness.
Recently as a survivor and with the support of her team, she wrote,
recorded and released a hit single titled Africa Nalia, the song is about Africa celebrating its
beauty and liberation from slave trade, hence creating awareness against all forms of modern
human slavery/human trafficking. Africa Nalia is such a hit that it was nominated for All
Africa Music awards ( AFRIMA 2021) in the category of best African traditional song.
Click here to support Shivanah win this category and take her advocacy to a higher
level.
