All field reports have now been published and provide links to youtube videos! Story
…You can now see all Field Reports for February 2018 trip to Kenya. If you want to link directly to youtube videos you can do in field reports or go direct here. A detailed account of the trip written by Kahithe Kiiru is available here….
We assemble in Kisumu Story
…mas of Kenya, a national dance troupe tasked with the mission to preserve, promote and showcase Kenyan traditional music and dance worldwide. She has been a scientific advisor with Ketebul Music since 2015 and worked on Ngoma Zetu (2016). This is her second Singing Wells field visit – previously she joined us on Singing Wells Masters of the Nyatiti in 2017. With Tuskers and Dried Fish ordered and eaten, with friendships renewed and jibes exchanged…
Nyerere wa Konde Music Club Group
…Music of the Mijikenda The Nyerere Wa Konde music club is located in Gede, Malindi District, Kenya. It is a family group led by legendary mwanzele singer Nyerere Wa Konde. The group also includes Nyerere’s son, contemporary musician Mr Bado. Group Leader: Nyerere Wa Konde; performers: Nyerere Junior, Mr Bado, Mbebaji, Mablue, Muguwa, Amina Kombe, Hawe Josi …
Kahithe Kiiru Staff Profile
…ul Music since 2015 and worked on Ngoma Zetu(2016) and Singing Wells Masters of the Nyatiti(2017) and Signing Wells Western Kenya(2018) projects….
Day Two: 8 March 2022 (Ilesi) Story
…g 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 8:00pm. After the routine photo shoot the Obasie Palnyang brothers and sisters were off to their serene village in Kodedema, close to the Kenya-Uganda border. After the long…
Introduction: Project overview and objectives Story
…rrative nature and does not focus on the details of collected data, which will be presented in a finer ethnographic report to follow. “Masters of the Nyatiti” focuses on the nyatiti, an 8‐string lyre originating in the Luo community on the shores of Lake Victoria in Western Kenya. Most of the field recordings this report is based on were thus conducted in Lake Region of Kenya, notably in Kisumu and Siaya Counties. The details of these recordings w…
Nyangile Instrument
…A resonating box – hit by the player with a wooden stick, who often holds ongeng’o rings in their hand and feet to add more rhythmic potential. We heard the Nyangile, also referred to as the Sanduk (Swahili for Box), played by a member of the Otacho Young Stars, when we recorded them at Dinkys Resort Club, Rongo, as part of our field trip to record the music of the Luo in Western Kenya….
Ben Kisinja Group
…Music of the Kalenjin Kapsokwony, Kenya …
ZigiDigi Cultural Troupe Group
…Music of the Mijikenda Vuga, Kwale County, Kenya Group Leader: Matano Mwachiti; performers: Mwanasiti Mwacheruphe, Nchoga Mwacharo, Mwanasada Joshi, Sauma Mwanyika, Mwanasiti Mwalnlo, Binti Mwadumbo, Iddi Bora, Salim Mwambwaku, Juma Mwanganyawa, Nasow Mwanganyawa, Salim Hamadi, Hamir Kumbayugu, Hamisi Chabindo…
Fadhilee Itulya Staff Profile
…Relations and Diplomacy. His first break in professional music was at the 2008 edition of Spotlight on Kenyan Music, where he represented Nairobi with his song ‘Jawabu’, which features on the compilation album. Other than the guitar he also plays the drums and the chivoti. During gigs he is backed by the three-girl group, Karama. Tetu accompanies him on the djembe and Andrew Ngatia on bass. Together they call themselves Fadhilee&Friends. He has wr…
Kiplagat Edwin Kwambai aka Fifty Cows Staff Profile
…e town of Kapsowar, Elgeiyo Marakwet County in the Kenyan Rift Valley. In 2003, he graduated from the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication with a Diploma in Film and Video Production, specializing in Sound Techniques. He proceeded to the University of Nairobi where he graduated in 2010 with a Degree in Journalism and Media Studies specializing in Development Communication. He is currently pursuing an MBA in Strategic Management at the same Instit…
Masirtarit Group
…Music of the Kalenjin Kapsokwony, Kenya…
Day Four: January 21 2019 Mwanza Story
…chele Sanaa Group: This 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 h…
Teriet Band Group
…Music of the Kalenjin Kapsokwony, Kenya …
The Kalenjin of Kenya Album
…acks on this album were recorded in March 2012 on location in the field in Kenya, as part of The Singing Wells trip to record the music of the Kalenjin. The album opens with Ben Kisinja on the Burkandit, recorded in Kapsokwony on the 5th March 2012. Also recorded in the same session were the Chebonet Group and the Teriet Band. We also have a short snippet of The Masirtaret – a performance that was sadly cut short by rainfall – one of the perils…
Sila Dancers Group
…Music of the Kalenjin Kapenguria, Kenya…