Nicole Crisler
Chris Barringer
Jen Lasiter
Sarah Lasiter
Fall 2004
The Swahili Culture is different
depending on who you ask,
including the Swahili people; but
one thing is certain, they do exist
and they share a language, certain
customs, a history, and a
geographic location.
The Swahili language is very
prominent in most of Africa, in fact
English and Swahili are the two
main languages. In Kenya Swahili
is the language most of the music
is written in.
In Kenya (the country we are
focusing on) song is the distinctive
musical expression. Children learn
to sing as soon as they can talk.
There are three main forms of Swahili
music in Kenya:
-Taarab-the traditional music of the
Swahili, combines elements of African
percussion with Arabic rhythms
-Omutibo-Luhya rhythms and melodies
are used while three-vocal parts are sung
in harmony
-Benga-primarily the dance music, it has
quick syncopated rhythms.
Each of theses music styles are a little
different, but they are all sung in the
Swahili language.
Taarab Music combines Arabic, Indian, and African instruments with several vocalists.
-The traditional music used large numbers of musicians and Arab instruments.
Instruments include: string instruments such as the Oud and violin, combined
with tablas and doumbeks, occasionally an accordion or an organ will play also.
The groups that perform can range anywhere from small “parties” to orchestra’s.
-Taarab uses Swahili poetry as lyrics, the songs are about the life of human beings in
every way. There are songs about grief, comfort, love, happiness, and even comical
songs, they provide an explanation of life in a very rhythmic way.
Modern Taarab
- Taarab continues to evolve, now using electric keyboards and guitars along
with the traditional instruments of the music, at the heart of it remains the very
rhythmic poetic Swahili lyrics.
Omutibo was developed in the 1960’s and 1970’s
It is characterized instrumentally with two guitars and a fanta bottle rhythm
section. One guitar is played high and one guitar is played low, which is in
part determined by the size of the guitar. Luhya rhythms and melodies are
used while three vocal parts are sung in harmony with one another.
-The “fanta bottle rhythm” is just what it says, they use glass
bottles to tap on to make sounds, they are used like a percussion instrument.
Benga Music is characterized by its quick syncopated
melodies. Two or Three guitars chase each other, or “duel”.
There are prominent bass lines, it’s a very high energy music.
The songs can be about love, history, or religion, but they are
well known because its considered the dance music.
Instruments
• Tabla/dumbak
Instruments
• Tabla/dumbak
• Bongos
Instruments
• Tabla/dumbak
• Bongos
• Kibangala
Instruments
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Tabla/dumbak
Bongos
Kibangala
Chapuo drum
Instruments
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Tabla/dumbak
Bongos
Kibangala
Chapuo drum
Tambourine
Instruments
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Tabla/dumbak
Bongos
Kibangala
Chapuo drum
Tambourine
Electric Guitar
Swahili
Groups
Daudi Kabaka
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The “King of Twist”
Began singing in church
First hit at age 15 in 1954
Songs were usually short, poetic
ballads about love, marriage,
patriotism and hard work
• Music career spanning 5 decades
Kakai Kilonzo’s Kilimambogo
Brothers Band
• Popular in the 70’s
and 80’s
• First recorded in 1975
• Large audience
crossing ethnic and
regional lines
• Swahili lyrics - Kamba
sound
• Kakai passed away in
1987
Sali Oyugi
Captivating storyteller and dancer
Band is called ‘Karma Simba’
Sings, dances, plays acoustic guitar
and congas
Performing professionally since 1993
Funk and Jazz influence
Currently performing out of Boston
Swahili Expressions
Preserving Stories
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Traditional Stories
Legends
Myths
Beliefs
Lamentations
Protest
• Early/ Forced Marriages
Lamented by Young Girls Who
Have No Choice
=Songs written and sung to
express discontent and bitterness
Funerals
• In Kenya, music is not simply used for
entertainment but for communication.
It’s not just pleasing to the ear but
expresses different aspects of life.
Ω Swahili dirges are written and sung in
remembrance of the deceased.
Celebrations!
Swahili Holidays
= New Year’s Day [January 1]
=Jamburi Day [December 12]
= Labour Day [May 1]
Guests
Time to entertain &
welcome!
Swahili people love to sing
for their guests.
Songs and techniques are
taught to eager
participants
Worship
“There are two places where we show our
African teeth. at church and at weddings.”
Joseph Kimani
+ Various instruments
+ Full participation
+ A Celebration for hours
True or False:
1. In Kenya, music is used purely for entertainment.
2. Kukai Kilonzo died at an early age.
3. Taarab is the Kenyan dance music.
Multiple Choice:
1. What is the seven string instrument similar to the
guitar?
Bibliography
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www.swahilionline.com
www.kenya.com
www.afropop.org
www.worldmusic.net
www.biochem.chem.hagoya-v.a.c.jp/
www.cdbaby.com/cd/salioyugi
http://members.aol.com/dpateron/daudi.htm
www.kentimes.com
www.ossres.net/girr/no6/no6-03.htm
http://trumpet.sdsu.edu/m345/African-Music1.html
http://encarta.msn.com
www.sierraleone-vibe.nstemp.com/about.html
www.urbana.org
www.allthingskenyan.com/music.html
http://www.postershop.com/Naidoo-GR-African-Dance-Mkhumbane8700029.html
www.drwisetravel.com/my_photo_collection.html
http://www.indiamusicals.com/percussion/dumbak/images/dumbak.jpg
http://www.yourafrica.com/shop/images/bongos%20pair.gif
http://www.luth.org/plants/pl28.jpg
http://lvfolkmusicsociety.org/tambourine.jpg
http://www.mva.org.au/mvis/siroccokit/electricguitar.jpg