By GEORGE ORIDO
If one wanted to listen to the Nigerian duo P2’s popular single rendition Yori Yori, the place to be was the just ended National Schools and Colleges Drama Festival in Kisumu.
It didn’t matter whether it was a sound track from the CD or live singing or just borrowing words from this award-winning single.
In Menengai High School’s moving thriller, The Modern School Principal laments to her unfaithful husband, "... all this time you never told you were weri weri about me, never did your heart go yori yori over me,"
One of the adjudicators, Oluoch Madiang, attributed the song’s popularity to the way it "captures youthful spirit and life outlook."
But in setting contemplative, hesitant mood, directors’ melody of choice was Ayub Ogada’s Koth Biro.
Yet critics wonder if the blanket application of these two songs, among many others, was as a result of achieving aesthetic elements stated above or whether it was simple aping.
Higher levels
"Maybe a winning group at the qualifying levels used these songs and others just copied in a bid to up stakes to the higher levels, says Madiang’.
But Toili Khisa another adjudicator who produced Kuna Watu na Viatu, solo verse last year says "It’s all a good sign that the players use these songs in creating rapport with their peers and adding communicative meaning to their productions."
Other popular songs included Usinisemee by Ali Kiba, Nibebe by Rose Muhando, Marlaw’s Missing My Baby from Tanzania, Kisumu 100 by Suzanna Owiyo and Esther Wahome’s Kuna Dawa.
