Day One: The Iteso People and their Music Story
…about the instruments and costumes used by the group; these included: Atenus: The bass drum Igelu: Shakers Akwara: Sticks Isiman: Jingles worn around the ankles Etwoo: A gourd that you blow into for a ‘bass’ beat. The dancers wore “Emukule”, skins of cows and more rarely, Cheetahs. One of the dancers wore a “Amugwar”, a head piece made up of antelope horns. We then talked to Ibriam about the songs (each of which is linked to the you tube video) w…
The Singing Wells podcast #5 Podcast
…Edition 5 of the Singing Wells podcast is here – with a bit of a catch up on the latest news from the past 12 months of the Singing Wells project. Click here to download Podcast 5…
Winyo Staff Profile
…experience. Winyo is also a professional photographer, actor and a TV producer. He is currently the executive video producer for a Kenyan media company called Big Foot productions, which has produced several local TV shows. His goal is to take African music all over the world and enliven people to dance and sing to the sweet and melodic sounds of African songs and music. Winyo is a valued member of the Singing Wells team as one of our artists on…
Andy Patterson Staff Profile
…ng both engineering and technical duties for a wide range of clients, from the world of pop music through to film composers. He has worked with Abubilla Music for around 5 years and has co-engineered and produced all of the releases to date. His past clients have included the late Gerry Rafferty, Q Radio, Bauer Media and Live8. His role for The Singing Wells project sees him heading up the engineering team in the field. He also works on the post p…
Day Five: Ilesi, Khayega to Kisumu Story
…he 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 to walk slowly to and from the wedding so all the people can gather and…
Day Three: Bungoma Town to Kakamega Story
…hese?) Pelele: A local beer, this was great song sung by band leader solo. Isukuti Drums: song featuring the drummers Tsing’oma: Shirili Instrumental We rushed to get all equipment stored and drove to our next destination a bit wet……
Day two: From Sirisia to Mabuyole Falls Story
…a while and brought the Shirili, the single stringed instrument similar to the Orutu. After 23 years his brother formed his own band. Weput Khulu Namatete (Samuel) then recruited new members and the band has stayed very active and prosperous, playing in the Tindikiti style. The play at hotels, festivals, weddings, funerals, etc.. In terms of instruments they have: Luengere: Drums Eng’oma: Drums Litungu: Strings They performed the following songs:…
Day 2 – Sunday 2nd July 2017 Story
…on, tunes remain the same, whereas the lyrics can change, evolve. They are the fruit of a specific player’s imagination and can be adapted to the occasion and/or to tell the praise of a different person. The fact that Meshack picked up the instrument only once his father had passed away brought about several hypothesis on the meaning of this generational gap and questioned the possibility of an existing cultural taboo concerning two generations of…
Kasagat Traditional Dancers Group
…Music of the Kalenjin Iten, Kenya…
Muungano Kayamba Group
…Music of the Mijikenda Group Leader: Futuma Ali Mwacherure. Performers: Ali Bora Kopo, Binti Amadi, Chimetse, Mwanamtiti, Mwana Harusi, Nyaishi Dawa, Msindeni, Nkuria Saga, Mwana Kombo, Nchno…
Chebonet Group
…Music of the Kalenjin Kapsokwony, Kenya…
Kewamoi Women Dancers Group
…Music of the Kalenjin Baringo, Kenya…
Mchele Mchele Sanaa Group 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). …
Dodo Group feat. Ogoya Nengo Group
…Music of the Luo Rang’ala, Nyanza province, Western Kenya Lead Vocalist: Ogoya Nengo…
Muwewesi Xylophone Group Group
… Muwewesi Xylophone Group featuring Muniru Ayubu and Kisubi Eliasa on lead vocals. Song meanings “Obutasoma”: a song about education. “Obwiire Bukyeire”: meaning ‘the time has come’. “Obwayu”: a song about poverty. …
Zaire Ndindingwa Group
…Music of the Mijikenda Gede, Malindi District, Kenya Group Leader: Fundi bin Kalale; performers: Dali Baya, Reggaemaster wa mweni, Saumu Kadenge Shombo, Salame Kadenge, Alora Mbundo Ngoma…