Central and Eastern Kenya: Days 5-11: Ketebul Studios, Nairobi Story
…ng professionally in the late sixties and his first big hit came with the song I Love You, in 1970. His second big hit was Kanini and we were lucky to be able to record both with him this week. I Love You Kanini Mukabi This is the son of the great omutibo player George Mukabi; we recorded 5 songs with him all of which were his father’s: Mutoto Si Nguo Ram Lus Tunga Kweli Nougo Om ulanga Wa Muka Kunywa Kidogo …
Central and Eastern Kenya: Day 4 – Nkubu to Mukuuni to Nairobi Story
…of the Mukuuni High School. We’re here to record one band, the Original Chuka Drummers, led by Eustace Mjuki Bundi. They are 30 males who all play drums except for their banner waver. They were formed in 1930 and have spawned so many imitations that they had to add the word ‘original’ to their name. They are Ameru, of Tharakanithi County. The group plays on all occasions, during harvests, births, weddings, marriages. The play the Mwinjira (Drums)…
Central and Eastern Kenya: Day 3 – Nkubu to Mariene to Murungurune to Nkubu Story
…entually agree on the choice of circumciser. . Barwimbo: Lead singers are Mukumbu Saberio and Jacob Newarimi. Refers to a friend of the opposite sex. It is sung when Ameru are celebrating harvest and having a good time. They sing in male/female pairs to celebrate the harvest season. Kirarire: Lead singers are Jacob Karia and Laui Mwiti. The tradition song before circumcision. Exit Song: Authi style, lead singers are Francis Rithaa and Cyrus Kirigi…
Central and Eastern Kenya: Day 2 – Muranga to Kangema to Nkubu Story
…in Kisoro (SW Uganda), we nonetheless had to take our 44 bags down to the site. We set up under a tree and recording 4 separate groups, all of whom stayed for the day. The 80 or so band members, all in full costume, were scattered across our 100 meter field. Unfortunately, the field was also shared by biting red ants – this created some interesting video moments, trying to keep the camera steady, while large chunks of your lower leg were being ca…
Central and Eastern Kenya: Day 1 – Nairobi to Kiongwe to Muranga Story
…their parents can’t afford it. Wendo Also from the Kamba ethnic community (Ukamba wa kitui) and led by Kasuku Kioko, Kamba. They perform in the Kasanga dance style. The group is also from the Kiongwe Village, Ngungi Location, Thua Division, Inuu Sub Location, Nzambani District. 12 women and 2 men, formed in the 80’s and inspired to perform at political forum. The group also uses the Vilingi (whistle). They performed 4 songs: Kiuluni Kui Landeni (g…
Central Uganda: Day 7 – A Magic Day in Entebbe Story
…for everything, nowadays, they wake up early and go to work. Olugend’olw’ebukakkata: He went to visit a village called Bukakkata. He found a girl who was seeing two men who didn’t know each other. She was still in her parents’ home so she was not allowed to be seeing men. One day, the parents found a man peeping through the window and canned him because he was trying to disturb his daughter. The second boyfriend was also about to peep but they bot…
Central Uganda: Day 6: Kampala to Entebbe Story
…ch more drama to the equation.” Here’s their music The Journey to the Next Site We then packed up and left the University Grounds and headed back into Kampala to the Uganda Museum. The Recording Site We set up directly in the Museum grounds and were surrounded by an open air museum which was a collection of traditional grass thatched huts from throughout Uganda. Fairly surprised museum guests stopped to watch us. A slightly miffed grass cutter pol…
Central Uganda: Day 5 – Jinja to Kampala Story
…es so they will be loitering around and the living won’t have any peace. Omukazi Ow’omwano Tanoba: Tamenha Ibuga Nalufuka: This was an incredible dance number that ended with all the Singing Wells crew, and many of the hotel staff, jumping up and dancing with the group. Here is their music: James Isabirye says, “It is a challenge for me to talk about Nile Beat because I have so many feelings about it. But what I’m most proud of its contribution to…
Interview: fusion band Ndoto Afrika News
…ndow Shopping tune all day). We interviewed them to find out more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeRj9BrTT20 Hi Holly. Tell us about yourself and Ndoto Afrika – what’s your story? They say stories live forever and one famous Kenyan writer keeps saying that a story is good, until another is told. We are here to share with the world how wonderful it is to be born and raised in Africa. Sadly, the urban African youths are so consumed with the modern…
Central Uganda: Day 4 – Jinja Story
…ose that will escort me to be buried, will be many. Enumba Y’eisubi Esana Buko . If a woman refuses you, you go with a match and burn down her grass thatched house. Atyamiisa Asekerera Adagha. A person who is doing well will always laugh at one who is struggling. Otabona Bukaire Even if I am old now, I’m still suitable for marriage. Magic Moment, but actually beautiful song without instruments: “Mbasaliza Ki?” (What do I do that you envy) Katonda…
Before They Pass Away News
…Nelson had to get to know them and to gain their trust. When he met the Chukchi people, the elders told him: “You cannot photograph us. You have to wait, you have to wait until you get to know us, you have to wait until you understand us.” Jimmy managed to gain this trust, spending weeks or months immersing himself in the tribe’s way of life. In Papua New Guinea, for example, Jimmy met with the Kalam tribe who decorate themselves with masks, wigs…
Central Uganda: Day 3 – From Mbale to Iganga to Jinja Story
…is someone’s name, meaning Paul, son of Wawanyera. Paul was a chief. He visited certain places and found they had made him party with lots of food and drink. He actually visited his brother in law who was jealous of him as a chief. So he decided to poison him. Sinairi Mukhana: The person who killed Paul was a Wanyera. He had killed a chief because he was jealous of him. During the burial he pretended to be sad, but the family members of Paul reco…
Central Uganda: Day 2 – Kampala to Budaka Story
…unty, to a small village near the Budaka Progressive School. The Recording Site: Given our early departure we arrived before our groups were ready to perform so we had plenty of time to set up, interview the group leaders, the school head master, etc… The site was on two levels. Our ‘stage’ was on the lower level, with two small brick single story homes and a little kitchen cleaning area. On the second level to the right of the houses was a hill,…
Central Uganda: Day 1 – From Entebbe to Kidinda Story
…lometers into the fields, to a small village called Kidinda. The Recording Site: The village had one cement single story home, one stable (with a small and very loud cow tucked in the back) and one angry bull tethered to the middle of the grounds. Chickens hung about ready to provide backing vocals. Children began to gather as we un-loaded equipment. Most of them smile widely when our cameras turned toward them. Most came running to us to see thei…
Meeting Ketebul: an interview with Tabu News
…r a long time Kenyan’s have just been music consumers. In exchange for our buying other’s music, we want them to see them buying ours. Who inspires you, and who are your influences? Anyone who is doing something original inspires me. I don’t like copycats. I like music from Jazz to Hip Hop as long as it sounds original. In terms of musicians who inspire me, Fela Kuti – the King of Afrobeat – is a big inspiration. His music had a lot of good messag…
Our top 5 Singing Wells songs for March News
…d I’ve spent the last few weeks listening to pretty much every song on the site, getting to know the amazing traditional music of East Africa! It was tough to pick, but for my first blog post I thought I’d share my top 5 songs so far. 1. Otacho Young Stars – Amilo Love The Singing Wells team first encountered the Otacho Young Stars group on a trip to record the music of the Luo in Western Kenya in December 2011. They were later invited to Ketebul…