Tribal barriers brought down as pupils sing in different tongues

By George Orido

Young Kenyans displayed the richness of their culture as they sang and danced to music that broke the tribal barriers that define our politics.

On the second day of the Kenya National Schools and Colleges Music Festival in Nakuru yesterday, participants presented set pieces with themes on food security, peace and harmony, among others.

Befittingly, there was no better way to carry through these crucial themes than for children from different communities singing songs that were not necessarily in their mother tongue.

For instance, Damacrine Moraa of Nyangororo Primary School in Nyanza led her troupe in a compelling Turkana folk dance on a wedding between a Turkana bride and a neighbouring tribesman.

Ezekiel Otieno and Catherine Wairimu from Kimuchu Primary School in Central Province pulled a stunning Gikuyu dance, Maitu, in praise of a mother whose wise leadership has brought peace.

In the African traditional cultural dance from Kikuyu, Meru and Embu class, MCK Kaathi Primary School from Eastern won with their high-octane dance, Nkirote, about a smart girl who overcomes peer pressure to become a dependable member of the family.

Little Angels

Led by mellow voiced Martha Kagwiria, the dance was presented in well-arranged movements that added to the performance.

Gathiti and Juvenalis primary both from Central took positions two and three respectively.

In a different class of adaptation and arrangement of African tunes and melodies presented in mixed voices, Siala Primary School reaped big by scooping the first position with their song, Ngima Mane.

"When one listens to this song, one may be forgiven to imagine it is a group of mature musicians only to open the eyes and see an innocent troupe of little angles," remarked Mrs Dorothy Zolo from Moi High School Kabarak, while presenting the adjudicators’ report.

Pokotom from Rift Valley were second with their song Nawongoria that enumerates the many benefits the Turkana community derive from cattle. Kanamkemeri and Kakuyuni Primary Schools tied at third position.

A visually impaired teacher, Gerrishon Milimu, moved the audience when he conducted his troupe from Thika School of the Blind.

Mrs Zoro observed that some teachers had fallen short in choosing appropriate melodies where the tender voices would be more comfortable.

Changing times

"Culture is not static. There is a lot of room to arrange and rearrange music scores that is in tune with the changing time," she said.

Teachers were also urged to take advantage of new and affordable digital technology to write their music.

From Coast Province, Saumya Gupta of Aga Khan Academy was in a class of her own when she won the Pianoforte Class with a 92 per cent mark. The 10-year-old directed by Phillip Mbinji beat 30 other contestants in a fashion that earned her special praise from adjudicator Frankline Etyang of Starehe Girls’ Centre for her "pedigree".