Day Four: January 21 2019 Mwanza Story
…s group, from the Sukuma community, was formed in 2010 and performs with a number of styles: Bukomia Lume, Buchheye, Wigashe. Their instruments are: Ng’oma (Drums), Pembe (animal horns, large impala), Firimbi (flute), and Njuga (shakers). We recorded five performances: Ntale Atabihyala: ‘The boss, who is always wrong, wants to be always right. Just accept it’ Ba Tanzania (Malima): Praising country, encouraging farmers and hard work – this song h…
Day 2 – Sunday 2nd July 2017 Story
…two generations of players from the same home playing actively at the same time. From K’Orengo’s homestead we went on to a second location in Kaluo Umaje village of the same constituency where we met our first nyatiti maker – Obong’o Omenda. Born 1949, the elder was unfortunately feeling unwell and could only explain the instrument fabrication without detailed demonstration. Nevertheless, we were able to confirm the different stages of the nyatiti…
Day Two: 8 March 2022 (Ilesi) Story
…erent keys. Guest musicians Fiston, Ben and Gido also had to take a little time to play in sync with the polyrhythmic beats of the Iteso of Western Kenya. When the tuning session was finally figured out the actual recording started at about 17:00 hours. The three sisters and their two brothers have pleasantly matured musically and it was really encouraging to see them helping to keep their father’s legacy alive. All was done a few minutes to 8:00p…
Culture Musical Club Taarab Orchestra Group
…struments. It was clear that this orchestra had played together for a long time and were well rehearsed. They have a total of 45 people in their orchestra. They usually play with about 25 and we saw 15. Instruments in this orchestra we saw: 4 violins, 1 oud, 1 base, 1 qanun, 1 accordion, 2 drums and 1 tramboline. They produced a wonderful rich sound. Performers: Taimour Rukuni Taha (secretary general, accordian), Maulid Haji Mkadam (musical direct…
Singing Wells Sampler 2011 – 2013 Album
…This is a special sampler album put together, which contains some of the best recordings and tracks we have made as part of the project. It includes field recordings, influences recordings made in the field, influences recordings made in the Ketebul studio in Nairobi and a special collaborative effort between Abubilla Music and some of the musicians recorded by The Singing Wells project….
Day Four: Ikolomani to Amalemba Story
…s from her including a good education. But she got pregnant after spending time with a cow herder and the father was so disappointed in her. Mukangala: This was a song made famous by Jacob Luseno and Julius Intenya when they first played together. Specifically, it refers to a rich man who askes a young man to watch after his house while he travels constantly for business. Soon the young man starts to pretend the house is his and also propositions…
Group 6: Sudi Mavenge Story
…the song. A boy was in love with a girl, Kantengwa. They met for the first time but then the girl went back and had an accident and was hospitalised – the boy spent three weeks without knowing what had happened to her. The day he finally found out and was able to visit her in hospital was the day she died – he didn’t get to say goodbye. Kibuguzo (a Rwandan board game) – this is about a Rwandan board game that people would bet their Inyambo cows fo…
Richard Sewanyana Group
…e pretending to play the flute and desperate to replace my grandfather but time was running out. Over time, the other players realised he couldn’t play. So they asked him to lead the next song, to be the starter. But he failed. So they then asked him to play any song of any of the ones they had been playing since he joined the palace. And he couldn’t. And they were very mad because he had taken a salary as a player and they felt he was a robber. S…
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Day Six: January 24, 2019 From Mwanza to Dodomo to Nzali to Nairobi Story
…ur safety equipment, our battery covers, our insurance, our plates, and at times, they just wanted to know what we were thinking. So lovely. So many stops. But we digress. From the Dodoma Hotel, we drove about 90 minutes to Nzali to record four groups: Group 1: Makunga: This group is from Dodoma and the Wagogo Community, which they argued is the main indigenous community of Tanzania (always from the land, never migrated into Tanzania. The group…
Imachina Group
…difficult to find, but is a strong bird. The song tells the story that the best fighting bulls are not the ones preening around the village, but rather they keep to themselves until the fight. And then they win. The Shiselelo procession – this is for weddings. The songs include: Hoya: This is encouraging the groom to forward and be welcome. Mbabo: This is about everyone coming together for the wedding. Khuchende Pole: This song is telling everyone…
Day Two: January 19, 2019 From Tarime to Buturi to Bariadi Story
…tination. He had a long walk ahead of him, but funds were covered. To save time and money, however, he choose to walk through the river. Sadly, a crocodile attacked him and ate his legs. A cautionary tale about taking short cuts. Jackie Mosani Wethu: A traditional song of praise and thanks, which was sung for our host, Jackie. Thare Mushi Wakono Okwebora Kodhethre: a song about having kids and investing in your children. Ekethende kiranganya ni mb…
Day 9 – Sunday 9th July 2017 Story
…g to Hornbostel– Sachs(2), all four would be classified as composite chordophones, more precisely under the 321.2 category of: “Yoke lutes or lyres – The strings are attached to a yoke which lies in the same plane as the sound‐table and consists of two arms and a cross‐bar.” Through a group interview, we attempted to compare them in: size (size of resonator; length of arms and per extension of strings); materials of fabrication (types of wood); bo…
Global Influences Project: Loop Library Page
…wonderful Nyatiti group led by Okumu Korengo who is considered one of the best players around. Okumu Korengo also played all instruments, accompanied by dancers and back up vocals. You can learn more about the group here. You can watch the full visual performance of this song on our Youtube channel by clicking here. Download the loop singingwells · SW Samples – Nyatiti Group 158BPM singingwells · SW Samples – Kidinda Cultural Group 158BPM Kidinda…
Hiari Ya Moyo Group
…urging the youth to be brave in facing the challenges in everyday life Mwanana: a song in praise of one’s friend. Lyuwa Laloka: it is sunset and time to conclude whatever business and return home to your family…
Day Five: Ilesi, Khayega to Kisumu Story
…s are welded into metal pouches and then he plays. Moses is considered the best Shikhorli maker in the area. Here’s the band. Their songs included: Mukhana Mulabu: This is about a brown girl, that is whiter than most the girls in the village. Isimbiilalila: This is a bullfighting song. Balina Wanje Ndiranga: This is a song about being tired and in a bad state. Mama Mulai: Rosie: This is praising a lady named Rosie. Influences: Fadhilee than joined…