Advancing Interdisciplinary Research in Singing KENYA INTRODUCTION • Kenya is in the Eastern part of Africa • Population is about 37 million people • The Capital city is Nairobi which means ‘the place of cool waters” • Nairobi is known for its agreeable climate, and is popularly known as the Green City in the Sun Nairobi City Kenyatta International Conference Centre in Nairobi City, Kenya Detailed Map of Kenya • Kenya lies astride the equator. • Its total area, including its water masses, is 582,650 square kilometers, or 224,962 square miles. • Her neighbors are Sudan and Ethiopia on the North, Somalia on the East; the Indian Ocean on the southeast, Tanzania on the South, and Lake Victoria and Uganda on the west. Administrative Divisions of Kenya SUDAN ETH IOPIA EASTERN S UG ANDA O RIFT VALLEY M NORTH EASTERN A L WESTERN I L ake NYANZA Victoria A CENTRAL NAIROBI TANZ ANI A EASTERN COAST INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY IN D I AN O C EA N PROVINCIAL BOUNDARY NATIONAL CAPITAL 0 50 100 Kenyan National Flag • The Kenyan flag colors symbolize black for the majority, red for the blood shed during the struggle for freedom, and green for Land; the symbolizes peace. • The black, red, and white traditional Maasai Shield and two spears symbolize the defense of all the things mentioned above. Language and Ethnic Communities • Most Kenyans speak at least 3 languages: 1.English 2.Kiswahili 3.An indigenous, or native, language • English is used in schools and offices • Kiswahili is the national language • There are also at least 42 native languages Indigenous Kenyan Languages • The 42 native Kenyan languages are consolidated within 3 major categories: 1. 2. 3. The Bantu (Kikuyu, Luhya, Kamba and Kisii among others) The Nilotes (Luo, Maasai, Kalenjin, Turkana among others) The Cushites (Somali, Boran, Rendille & Orma among others) Maasai man and child (Nilotes) Turkana man (Nilotes) Rendille man (Cushites) • Languages found within one category tend to be related. Some Kenyan Peoples Maasai Warrior Turkana Man Rendille Woman Nandi Woman Kenyan Peoples • In the pictures we have seen: – A Maasai (Nilote) – A Turkana (Nilote) – A Nandi (Nilote) – A Rendille (Cushite) • These are examples of Kenyan ethnic groups which have retained many aspects of their traditional way of life in terms of: – Dress – Wearing of ornaments – Piercing certain parts of the body • Other Kenyans have adopted a modern lifestyle. A Church in Nairobi All Saints Cathedral Religion in Kenya • The Constitution of Kenya states that she is a secular (no specific religion) state. • However, Christianity is the most subscribed-to religion with about 80% followers. • Others are Islam, Hinduism, Judaism and African Traditional Religion. • There is freedom of worship therefore no religion is restricted. • There are many churches in Kenya. Monetary Unit: The Kenyan Shilling There are 100 cents in one Kenyan Shilling. Tea is one of Kenya’s Chief Exports These stones are a natural formation. They are a great tourist attraction. Their name Kit Mikayi literally means ‘the stone of the first wife.’ In the Luo community, where they are found, it is believed that even if a man marries many wives, the first wife is the most respected. Lake Victoria is on the western side of Kenya. Tilapia (Ngege), Nile perch & other fish are plentiful & are eaten by many Kenyans. Geography & Climate Mount Kenya (Central highlands) Indian Ocean Coast (South East) The Rift Valley runs from North to South Northern Kenya Desert Foods eaten in Kenya are as diverse as the many cultures represented in the country. White Ugali (maize, or cornmeal) Githeri (a mixture of maize & beans) Fish called Ngege (Tilapia) Porridge (Uji in Kiswahili) More Foods of Kenya Chapati is a fried paste of wheat flour. Githeri can be mixed with potatoes, carrots and sometimes, a little beef, and mash it. This mashed mixture is called mukimo. Kenya has an Abundance of Wildlife Lion & Lioness Wildebeeste Zebra Elephants Kenya has an Abundance of Wildlife (continued) Monkeys come in many species. This black and white one lives in the Nairobi National Park. Buffalo are also numerous in Kenya. They are a tourist attraction at Nairobi National Park. But they are also reared for their meat. Kenyan Art and Craft Different Kenyan communities have unique artistic skills. Such arts as painting, ceramics, carving and weaving are common among different Kenyan communities. This painting was done by a student at Kenyatta University. Maasai people are an important part of Kenya’s identity. Their pictures are very popular. Pottery is an important aspect of Kenyan culture. Most Kenyan communities traditionally used clay pots to cook and to carry and store water. This picture was also painted by a student at Kenyatta University. Kenyan Art and Craft (continued) This painting portrays life in a quiet village in Kenya. This is a painting of a rooster and hen. Kenyan Art and Craft (continued) These baskets were found at the Maasai market, and can be used to store small items. The top part is woven like a basket while the bottom is a plant that is used for drinking water and porridge. Gourds are used in many Kenyan communities for porridge or milk. Kenyan Art and Craft (continued) The weaving of baskets and other items is also popular in Kenya. This type of basket is found among the Luo people. It is called ‘adita’. A bride was presented with this basket on her wedding day. It is both decorative and a means of storing grains like maize and millet. Intricate beadwork baskets, mats and coasters Kenyan Art and Craft (continued) Soap stone is found in Nyanza Province among the Kisii people. They make many beautiful artworks out of it. Kenyan Leisure Activities Jungle Safari Canoeing Camping Bird watching Kenyan Leisure Activities (continued) The Maasai Market is also a good place to go shopping and visit just to see the innovative ways in which people come up with works of art. Music & Dance The music of Kenya is as varied as her people. Each ethnic group has its unique rhythms and tones. While there are similarities between the music of closely-related ethnic groups, even in such music there are subtle differences that betray the uniqueness of each culture. All 42 Kenyan cultures have music to celebrate the rites of passage that occur in the life cycle of a human being, including: – birth, – childhood, – youth & initiation into adulthood, – marriage, – old age, and – death. Maasai girls singing at a wedding Maasai warriors singing & jumping Music & Dance (continued) Many Kenyan songs were originally sung during work activities to make the work lighter. Examples include songs sung during harvest season, when building a house or when doing household chores. Dancing & singing outdoors Musical Instruments Kayamba Obokano (8stringed Lyre) Kiringongo (Marimba) One Mshondo and two mabumbumbu drums Musical Instruments (continued) Msewe (Leg Rattles) Robaro (rattles) Dufu (Islamic Drum) Chapuo Drum Musical Instruments (continued) Adeudeu (Harp) Isukuti Drums Two Chivoti (Transverse Flutes) Orutu (Fiddle) SONGS Jambo Bwana – Hello Sir (Greetings) Jambo Bwana – Hello Sir (Greetings) CHORUS Jambo, Jambo Bwana, Hello, Hello Sir, Habari gain, Mzuri sana. Wageni, mwakaribishwa, Kenya yetu Hakuna Matata. How are you, Very fine. Foreigners, you're welcome, In our Kenya there is no problem. CALL & RESPONSE Kenya nchi nzuri, Hakuna Matata. Nchi ya maajabu Hakuna Matata. Nchi yenye amani, Hakuna Matata. Watu wote, Hakuna Matata, Wakaribishwa, Hakuna Matata. Kenya is a beautiful country, There is no problem. A wonderful country There is no problem. A peaceful country, There is no problem. Everybody, There is no problem, Are welcome, There is no problem. Jambo Bwana – Hello Sir (Greetings) • This song reflects the friendliness & hospitality of the Kenyan people. • When Kenyans have visitors, they show them • The song was composed their best! by Kenyan musician Teddy Kalanda Harrison • “Hakuna Matata” = There is no problem! • First recorded in February 1980 Nyambaga Kondo Gakwa (I am Weaving my Basket) Nyambaga Kondo Gakwa (I am Weaving my Basket) Text Translation Nyambaga kondo gakwa Wonengiamba ii I am weaving my basket Can you see that I am weaving my basket? I am undoing my basket. Can you see, I am undoing my basket? Wonengia bura ii. Actions The children stand in a line. The leader starts the chant and the whole group coils around the leader, imitating the firm weave of a basket. The leader then sings out, and the group moves in the opposite direction, till they form a straight line once more. Nyambaga Kondo Gakwa (I am Weaving my Basket) •This song is a game that depicts Kenyan children weaving (and unweaving) a sisal basket. • These baskets are woven by hand by the women of the Kikuyu culture. • They carry food and goods from the market in their baskets. Mama Mbe Tsimbindi (Mother give me seeds to plant) Text Translation Actions Mama, mbe tsimbindi, nzie khumitsa Nzie, nzie, nzie, Nzie khumitsa. Mother, give me seeds to go and plant Give, give, give Give me so I can go and plant them. Children sing and hold out their right hand and swing it rhythmically (begging for seeds). They do actions like digging the soil with a hoe with one hand, and dropping the seeds into the ground with the other hand. Mama Mbe Tsimbindi (Mother give me seeds to plant) • In this song, a child is asking his mother to give him seeds to go and sow (plant). • The song depicts the Luhya livelihood where farming is the main form of existence. • Children are expected to help their parents in the farm work and also around the home. • It is typical to make motions of digging and dropping seeds while singing this song! Seeds of Green Grams Hombe (A Lullaby) Hombe (A Lullaby) Text Translation Hombe, Hombe Nyathi mayuak Ondiek chame Nyathi ma ling’ Ondiek weye Hombe. Hombe (nonsensical word to lull the child) The crying baby will be eaten by a leopard; The quiet baby will not be eaten by a leopard Hombe. Actions Lullaby - The child can be rocked or swayed to the rhythm of the song. Hombe (A Lullaby) •Many wild animals, including leopards, are found in Nyanza province in Kenya! •The song is a lullaby, which is sung to a baby to send them to sleep. •Children cry when they do not want to sleep. In this song, the crying baby is threatened that he will be eaten by a leopard. •He is also promised that he will not be eaten by the leopard if he keeps quiet! •The song is sung among the Luo people, who live mainly in Nyanza province. The climate in this place is hot most of the year. Tokerelo Meriya (See the Leopard) Tokerelo Meriya (See the Leopard) Text Translation Tokerelo meriya Ya ayeya! Tokerelo meriya Ya ayeya! The leopard! If you meet it, run or it will finish you! Action The song can be sung in various ways, but it should depict one running away from a leopard! Tokerelo Meriya (See the Leopard) • This song is from the Turkana community in Northwestern Kenya. It is a dry area of the country, where survival is the primary concern. • They are pastoralists, always moving around with their cattle in search of pasture. • Many wild animals are found in this area. The song is sung when a leopard has been spotted. • It warns people to run away because a leopard is dangerous and should be feared! Asai Iani (We Welcome You) Text Translation I’ani ng’otumi? Who agrees with the ceremony? We Agree How do you agree? We say Yes! I’ani I’ani kolene I’ani Asai I’ani Action This song is sung during various celebrations. The only actions are dancing gracefully towards the person being welcomed. Asai Iani (We Welcome You) • This is a Nandi Celebration Song that is sung during engagement parties, before two people are married. • Their families exchange gifts, food, and song. • They share a special drink called mursik, which is curdled milk drunk in a gourd.