For the past decade, Naava Grey aka Ashley Naava has had a musical career in this country unlike anybody else’s. Hers has not been a meteoric rise to fame. After coming to the limelight through a talent contest, Naava, curved out a niche as the tender, melancholic and classy entertainer and that is what she has remained. As a songwriter, she has an unerring instinct for melancholy and melody. Although she does not have the usual notoriety associated with artistes, Naava has never vanished into obscurity. More conventional stars have shimmered and melted away in hot spotlights all around her, while she has stayed on her dimly lit side stage, microphone in hand creating extraordinary sounds for a loyal audience. Naava has an unmatched instinct for melody; her ballads are heartbreaking and gorgeously transporting.
In Uganda, joining the entertainment industry is like joining the circus. People seem bent on outdoing each other in their search for attention. The more outlandish the better. But, then, of course, there are those who let their talent command the limelight like Naava. In a world of wigs and flashy costumes, Naava has never once tinkered with her image, and that is how you know hers is not an image.
She confesses that she could so easily have been one of the many artistes whose candles burned fiercely for fifteen minutes and fizzled out, but for the grace of God. Naava says she instead, chose to surrender her music, career and life to God. A submission that, over the years, has become something like a collaboration. But this, she has not accomplished alone; with her on this journey has been her sister Tasha Naava.
There are moments in life when two souls meet and, through their shared experiences, ignite a light that not only illuminates their own path but serves as a beacon for others. For Naava Gray and Naava Tasha, two spiritual leaders and artists, their bond is a testament to the power of faith, love, and divine inspiration. Their shared journey not only offers healing through music but provides a glimpse into a deeper understanding of life’s most essential elements, inner peace, forgiveness, and spiritual wholeness. Together, they weave a narrative of resilience, sisterhood, and unwavering faith, reminding us all that the journey of healing and growth is most powerful when walked together.
Both Naava and Tasha have faced their own share of life’s hardships, but they view those experiences not as burdens but as stepping stones, paths to a deeper connection with God and a means to help others find solace through their work. Whether through Naava’s music, which channels divine inspiration, or Tasha’s message of healing through forgiveness, both women are grounded in the same truth; true peace comes from within and can only be achieved through connection with God. “Allah, in His infinite grace, has blessed us with the vastness of the ocean, yet in our limited human understanding, we often confine ourselves to a mere bottle of it. We spend our lives preoccupied with guarding and controlling that small portion, allowing anxiety, fear, anger, envy, and malice to take root within us. However, if we could only release our grip on that bottle and trust in His infinite provision, we would open ourselves to the boundless blessings Allah yearns to bestow upon us.”
Music: A Sacred Offering of Divine Inspiration
For Naava Gray, music transcends the mere act of performance. It becomes an act of worship, a channel through which she connects with the divine. Her sound, much like her spirit, is deeply rooted in emotional honesty, drawing from her personal experiences as well as the collective pain and beauty of the world around her. Through her art, she aims to heal, not only her own heart but the hearts of her listeners as well.
Songs like Nteredde, which explores the nuances of long-distance love, and Ndingomuloge, a jubilant celebration of love’s intoxicating power, illustrate how music can serve as both a personal catharsis and a communal experience. In these works, Naava speaks to the universal human experience: the longing for connection, the beauty of finding love, and the delicate balance of maintaining relationships in an often chaotic world.
But the essence of Naava’s music is more than just storytelling; it is an offering of divine inspiration. Many of her compositions, she reveals, are birthed in moments of emotional vulnerability. These songs often come to her when she feels spiritually depleted or in need of healing. “When I am at my lowest,” Naava explains, “those are the moments when the songs come, like gifts from the universe. They are not just mine, they are a message, a divine communication.”
Central to her work is a deep, abiding belief in protecting innocence. Whether it is the innocence of children or the delicate, childlike spirit that remains within adults, Naava advocates for a world where that purity is safeguarded. “We live in a world that pushes children to grow up too quickly,” she says. “My music is a way to remind us of that purity we need to protect, not just in children but within ourselves. The innocence we have as children is the key to emotional and spiritual healing, and it must be preserved at all costs.”
For Naava, music is not just an emotional expression, it is a sacred form of healing. As a mother, artiste, and spiritual seeker, she uses her platform not only to share her journey but to create space for others to heal. In an often chaotic world, she believes the ability to nurture innocence, both within ourselves and in the next generation, is the key to a more peaceful and loving existence.
Healing Through Forgiveness
While Naava finds solace and strength through music, Tasha’s spiritual wisdom lies in the power of forgiveness. In her perspective, Tasha emphasizes that true healing cannot take place without first confronting the pain within and choosing to forgive, both others and oneself. “Forgiveness is the gateway to peace,” she asserts. “When you hold onto bitterness, you only magnify your pain. It eats away at your soul, and it blocks the flow of divine love.”
For Tasha, forgiveness is not a one-time act but a continuous process. It requires not only the courage to release grudges but also the humility to acknowledge that true healing comes from within. “We often think we need to fix others, but the reality is that the healing must come from us,” she says. “Only when we let go of resentment and pride can we make room for God’s peace in our hearts.”
This spiritual philosophy is not just an abstract concept for Tasha, it is something she practices daily. Whether in her personal life, relationships, or interactions with the wider world, forgiveness is at the core of her spiritual journey. In her own life, she has witnessed the transformative power of forgiveness. “I have learnt that when you forgive, you change not only your circumstances but your entire outlook on life,” she says. “Forgiveness allows you to see the world with fresh eyes. It is like taking off a pair of dirty glasses, you begin to see clearly again.”
But Tasha’s message extends beyond forgiveness, it is about the continual submission to God’s will. “Success,” she states, “is not about achieving material wealth or recognition. True success is found when you align yourself with God’s plan for your life.” This submission to divine guidance is at the heart of Tasha’s teachings, as she believes that without God’s direction, we are lost. Through daily prayer, meditation, and scripture reflection, she has learned to trust in God’s timing and wisdom, both in her personal life and in her work.
The Healing Power of Prayer
Naava and Tasha’s bond goes beyond the ordinary. Their connection is grounded in a shared faith that strengthens both women, especially in times of difficulty. “When you pray together, you stay together,” Tasha reflects, referencing their deep, spiritual sisterhood that has become a model of unity and mutual support. For both women, the practice of prayer is vital to their emotional and spiritual well-being. They view daily prayer not as a ritual but as a constant communication with God. Through prayer, both women are able to find clarity and peace in even the most trying situations. “It is through prayer that I understand what God wants from me,” Naava shares. “When I pray, I am asking for direction, sometimes I get the answer right away, sometimes it takes time. But prayer allows me to be still and listen to God’s voice.”
Tasha agrees, noting that prayer provides the clarity necessary to make difficult decisions. “When you are not at peace within yourself, it is hard to see God’s will,” she says. “You have to be at peace to see clearly. Prayer is what helps me maintain that peace. It is like tuning into God’s frequency.”
Both women also emphasize the importance of community in the healing process. While they have their individual journeys, their shared faith provides them with a foundation of support. Their conversations, filled with vulnerability and spiritual insight, act as a reminder that we are never truly alone in our struggles. “We are walking this path together,” Tasha says. “And that is the beauty of sisterhood; it is a shared journey of growth and healing.”
Raising Children in the Faith
“We did not force our kids to believe,” says Tasha. “We lived by example. We showed them love, respect, and the power of prayer. And as they grew older, they saw the strength that came from our faith
In the complex world of modern parenting, Naava and Tasha’s approach stands out as a powerful testament to the importance of faith-based guidance. Both women place a high value on raising their children with strong, spiritual foundations, but they reject the notion of “forcing” religion. Instead, they focus on living by example, showing their children the power of a life rooted in faith.
“We did not force our kids to believe,” says Tasha. “We lived by example. We showed them love, respect, and the power of prayer. And as they grew older, they saw the strength that came from our faith, and that is what drew them in.” Naava shares a similar philosophy, emphasizing that children are more likely to embrace spiritual practices when they see the genuine peace it brings into their parents’ lives. “It is not about imposing rules; it is about living out those principles so that your children see how powerful God’s love is in your life,” she says.
In their homes, faith is not a set of rules to be followed, it is a living, breathing part of everyday life. “It is not about religion, it is about relationship,” says Tasha. “We showed our children how to have a relationship with God, not just follow a set of rules. And that is what allowed them to embrace faith as their own.”
Breaking the Cycle
When Naava and Tasha reflect on the state of modern relationships, both are acutely aware of the cycles of pain and trauma that often repeat from generation to generation. “People enter relationships unhealed,” Tasha says, “and they bring their brokenness with them. They don’t realise that they are repeating patterns that were set before them.”
But both women believe that these cycles can be broken; and it starts with returning to God. “Go back to the drawing board,” Tasha advises. “Start over with God’s guidance. It may take time, but healing is possible.” For Tasha, forgiveness is the first step toward healing. “Forgive yourself, forgive your family, and forgive those who hurt you,” she urges. “It is only through forgiveness that we begin to see ourselves in a new light.”
Through their music, teachings, and unwavering belief in the power of divine connection, Naava and Tasha are calling on all of us to look inward, to heal our past wounds, and to create healthier, more spiritually grounded relationships. Their message is clear; the cycles of trauma and pain do not have to continue. It is through faith, forgiveness, and divine guidance that we can break free and create a life of peace, love, and spiritual fulfillment.
