Matata Featuring STL Stella Mwangi - "ACHUU!" (with lyrics and partial English translation)

MATATA OFFICIAL, March 12, 2021

Matata and STL (Stella Mwangi) Presents ACHUU!! Walk away from anything that gives you bad vibes. There is no need to explain oneself. It's your life; do what makes you happy!!

**** Edited by Azizi Powell This pancocojams post showcases the 2021 Kenyan/Nowegian* song "ACHUU!" by Matata featuring STL (Stella Mwangi). "Achuu" is the sound of sneezing. "ACHUU!" is sung/rapped in Swahili, Sheng, and English. Unfortunately, I haven't found any English translation of this song online. This post presents the lyrics that I found online and their Swahili to English Google translate results- with the statement that I'm aware that this is a partial translation that probably gave the wrong meanings for the Swahili words that are actually Sheng and that gave no translations for the Kikuyu words. In addition to those Google translate results, this post includes a translated Kikuyu line that was given by a commenter in the discussion thread for this video. I've presented these translations because they give a sense of what the song is about. If you know Swahili, Sheng, and/or Kikuyu, please improve these translations to English so people throughout the world can more fully appreciate and enjoy this song. Thanks! The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes. All copyrights remain with their owners. Thanks to Matata and STL (Stella Mwangi) for their music. Thanks to all those who are associated with this video and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. -snip- *Both the Afro-Pop grou Matata and the rapper STL (Stella Mwangi) are Kenyans who live in Norway.
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LYRICS - ACUU! (Swahili, Sheng, and Kikuyu)

Oi oi oi oi oi oi
Woi woi woi woi woi woi
Bad vibes am allergic to
Achuu Achuu Achuu Achuu
Oi oi oi oi oi oi
Woi woi woi woi woi woi
Bad vibes am allergic to
Achuu Achuu Achuu Achuu ["Achuu" is the sound of sneezing.]

Cheki di gang gang  Hii ni matata mbogi ni genje
Checki di ngeus shake di bang bang
Pekene jeng jeng
Tulisha safisha rada si ni wanjaja
Hatupikii chai na ketepa yetu ni ganja  tea
Hii ni Fantasy Tuna courtesy
Hii ni rasta see man a gangster see
Sema ngwe utekwe kwe
uguzwe cheke kwe kwe kwe
Me nataka asanti ya punda rrrr nipe teke ke

Maneno yako bitter shinda hadi mursik
Na kama boss ni vita man I don't fight chicks
Nina rubber inaeza futa your career erase it
Na pia juta juta ka ukona beef at your risk
Hii ni lambo  ata na Subaru can't race it
Big ego coco jambo let's face it
Vile una hang ka bolingo I can't take it
Nina swali ehh amigo can I kick it

(Richie)

[chorus]

Uliokoka na bado hujaomoka buda
Sahi una kula tu mogoka ukitoa ushuhuda
Unjifanya we mreligious na una roho ya judas
Una betray my ninjas juu ya salasa buda
Round hii tumenona ka paka za butchery
Na sura ka matiangi hapa hakuna fogery (Achuu!)
Cheki cheki nime clean up nice
Oohhhh Shingo maji maji see dat ice

Man dem man dem
Niko base na ma gal dem gal dem
Tuna blaze tuna burn dem burn dem
Bad vibes man a kill dem  kill dem yeah
Me ndo kingpin wa hizi pengting
Man a freshting na siko flexing
I got the juice na siko blending
Nime standout lakini bado nina blend in
Nie reke ngwere Nyúmete kúraihú Túmete kúraihu twonete barafù wee Ndīaríkīríe thúkúrú, Nó ninjúe Mathafú werúte handafú ndúe ndí thahafú Njítagwo Nyambura Naa ndícokaga na thútha níndagá gacúngwa ashio ange noo gúfútha Íkíra kíratú gíakú tīgana na gīakwa naa ndúkandehere maúndú matare na fata Boss am not just somebody am a limitless force Africans are lost better bring em back to core Call yourself a lion but you just a house cat Gotta switch that flip it like an acrobat Mambo bado mbele ya kuchizi Catch up with me uta fall kama ndizi I mean I'm one off no match up you need back up I just add up [chorus]

From https://www.lyrics.com/lyric-lf/5820882/Matata/Achuu+%28feat.+Stella+Mwangi%29 -snip- I used the word "chorus" instead of writing those lyrics each time because of space considerations.

[Google Translate: Swahili to English]

Oi oi oi oi oi oi
Woi woi woi woi woi woi
Bad vibes am allergic to
Achuu Achuu Achuu Achuu
Oi oi oi oi oi oi
Woi woi woi woi woi woi
Bad vibes am allergic to
Achuu Achuu Achuu Achuu

Cheki di gang gang This is a vicious mbogi is genje
Check the ngeus shake one by one
Pekene jeng jeng
We washed the radar cleaner is not the starter
We do not make tea and our kettle is ganja tea
This is Fantasy Tuna courtesy
This is a rasta see man a gangster see
Say yes to your rule
cut off the check of the
And I want donkey sand rrrr give me a kick

Your words are bitter to the point of death
And if the boss is a war man I don't fight chicks
Nina rubber can erase your career erase it
Also, be careful not to overdo it at your risk
This is a trophy and the Subaru can't race it
Big ego coco Jambo let's face it
Vile una hang ka bolingo I can't take it
I have a question ehh amigo can I kick it

(Richie)

[chorus]

You are saved and you have not yet left the buddha
You only have to eat mogoka if you testify
You pretend to be mreligious and you have the spirit of judas
You have to betray my ninjas on the buddha salasa
This round we have fattened butchery cats
And the shape of the matiangi here is no fogery (Achuu!)
Check check I clean up nice
Oohhhh Neck water water see dat ice

Man dem man dem
Niko base na ma gal dem gal dem
Tuna blaze tuna burn dem burn dem
Bad vibes man a kill dem kill dem yeah
Me ndo kingpin of these pengting
Man a freshting na siko flexing
I got the juice and I was not blending
I have a standout but I still have a blend in

Nie reke ngwere Nyúmete kúraihú
Túmete kúraihu twonete barafù wee Ndīaríkīríe thúkúrú,
No Mathafú has ever been on the same page
Njítagwo Nyambura Naa ndícokaga na thútha níndagá gacúngwa ashio ange noo guffutha
Íkíra kíratú gíakú tīgana na gīakwa naa ndúkandehere maúndú matare na fata

Boss am not just somebody am a limitless force
Africans are lost better bring em back to core
Call yourself a lion but you just a house cat
Gotta switch that flip it like an acrobat
Things are still ahead of the curve
Catch up with me bow fall like a banana
I mean I'm one off no match up you need back up I just add up

[chorus]

-snip-
Here's a translation from Kikuyu to English for one line in that song:

zach robert, 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnt3YJw4C5o&ab_channel=MATATAOFFICIAL [discussion thread]
"ikiira kiratu giaku tingana na giakwa na ndukarihiri na maundu matari fataa (put your own shoes and leave mine alone and don't bring issues to me that are of no help)"

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The Original Chuka Drummers (information & videos of this traditional Chuka drum ensemble from Kenya, East Africa)

The Singing Wells Project, Apr 9, 2014

Recorded in Mukuuni, Kenya, on the 5th March 2014.

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Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases four videos of traditional Chuka drumming (Kenya). Some information about the Chuka people is included in this post along with information about the Original Chuka Drummers (traditional drum ensemble). 

The content of this post is presented for cultural, folkloric, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners. 

Thanks to the Chuka people and thanks to the Original Chuka Drummers ensemble that is featured in these videos. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the producers and the publishers of these videos on YouTube.

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INFORMATION ABOUT THE CHUKA PEOPLE
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuka,_Kenya
"Chuka is a town on the eastern slopes of Mount Kenya, in Kenya about 65 km south Of Meru Town. It falls within Tharaka-Nithi County and the former Eastern Province. Between 1992 and 2009, Chuka was the capital of Tharaka Nithi District (split off from Meru District). Tharaka Nithi District was further split into Meru South and Tharaka Districts with Chuka remaining the Capital of Meru South. Later, Meru South and Tharaka were amalgamated into Tharaka-Nithi County.

Chuka people

The people of the area are Gichuka speaking, a dialect of the Kimeru language.[1]

Chuka Town is chiefly occupied by the Chuka people, one of the nine Meru dialect Speakers. They dwell on the south-eastern slopes of Mt. Kenya, and cover the area between the Thuci River in the south, and the Nithi River in the north. It is a common tradition with the Chuka that they have always been in the forests of Mt. Kenya hence they moved down to their present abode. Other versions of the Chuka migratory tradition say that they came out from Mbwa with the other Meru.

The Chuka are believed to have sprung from the Tharaka, another of the meru subtribes. They have also a form of blood-brotherhood with the Igembe and the Tigania of the northern meru dialects. On the other hand, there are some customs, as, for instance, the method of circumcision, by which the Chuka are similar to the Embu. The Chuka are primarily Meru who, having climbed the first slopes of Mt. Kenya, clearing the forest for cultivation (even at present the fields of the Chuka are on the lower section of their country), mixed with the aboriginal inhabitants of the forest and established some kind of contact with the Embu....

Of the former Meru District, the Chuka were those who have suffered most the impact and violence of Mau Mau rebellion. During the Emergency, they were the only Meru to be forcibly settled into villages of the Kikuyu and Embu pattern. Later, they were allowed to return to their fields, as before.

Population

The population of Chuka, is 19,347+ according to the GeoNames geographical database."...

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EXCERPT ABOUT THE ORIGINAL CHUKA DRUMMERS [Traditional Drum Ensemble]
From https://dennisdibondo.wordpress.com/2013/12/23/chuka-drummers/
"Drumming heroes", December 23, 2013 by Dennis Dibondo
"As Kenya celebrates 50yrs since independence and celebrates the Maumau war veterans it is notable that the locals down here in Chuka, celebrates there drumming heroes who have remained the society entertainers for years locally and also internationally.

The group founded in 1942 by the late Ndei Mutaa, from Igaa village in Meru south Sub County of Tharaka Nithi County where it started by the name Mwinjiro.

 According to the group leader Mzee Eustace Njuki who was among the first members of the  drumming group, it  started with only 10 members where they came together  to entertain the community and spread the cultural songs to the new generations.

 “Whenever we began drumming and dancing the whole village would join in jubilation and people would dance to the rhythm for hours” Njuki said.

The group drew attention from the locality and in 1961 they ultimately landed a job to entertain European tourist who visited Mount Kenya through the Chogoria gate.

[...]

In 1962 the group enjoyed their publicity where they took their first trip outside the country when they were invited to perform in Tanganyika.

The group rose to fame as Kenya was attaining its independence and were invited to perform in state house Nairobi.

Mzee Njuki said that the group attained the first air trip in 1969 where they were going to perform in Nigeria and it was unbelievable since no member of the group has ever bordered the plane.

[...]

When former President Daniel Arap Moi was being inaugurated as the Chairman of OAU in 1981 they were called to perform to the 42 heads of state present at the function among them Julius Nyerere of Tanzanian, Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe.

The group also had a chance to perform to the late former South African president Nelson Mandela when he visited the country in 1990.

I had travelled about 20 kilometers from Chuka town to Itugururu village where the group trains. On arriving there I found the members rehearsing. The group secretary Ngai Kenneth welcomes and orders a seat for me.

[...]

I learn that the dancers wear ‘Thumbi’ a head gear made from ‘Nkoroi’ Columbus monkey skin, ‘Kithiri’ waist attire. They wear ‘Magemio’ around their shoulders made from Guinea Fowl they wore chains localy known as ‘ciumaa’.

 They are not complete without their drum kown as Mwinjiro made from carving Cyprus tree and goat skin. The drum is designed with colors that resemble the national flag of Kenya.

 The group sings and dance and the group treasurer Micheni Ndei the group dances varies along different themes: ‘macia’ was performed during wedding ceremonies mugeni was performed during invitation of visitor. The changes and alternation of stanza is known ‘Kiraka’

[...]

The neighbouring Mbeere community also has a dance similar to the Chuka drummers only that it is known as ‘Ngootha’

I take time to ask the members who most of them are above 60 years keep up with the spirit since their dances mainly involve acrobatics. They tell me their diet is mainly yams (ikwa), traditional vegetables and the renown  staple food  ‘Mukimo’ that is eaten in Meru, Embu and Tharaka Nithi county.

The group is struggling to ream relevant and have been recruiting young dancers into the group.

Ngai Kenneth called on the county government of Tharaka Nithi to team up with them to explore and teach the youth about their songs and dances to protect the eroding culture of the government.

Njuki encouraged the youth to uphold the culture by singing traditional song and dances and say he was willing to teach the youth whatever he knows."

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EXCERPT ABOUT THE ORIGINAL CHUKA DRUMMERS FROM THE SINGING WELLS PROJECT'S BLOG  [Note: Photographs are included in that blog post.] 
March 2014.

"Central and Eastern Kenya: Day 4 – Nkubu to Mukuuni to Nairobi 

Our final day.  We woke, drove our waitress nuts with sequential breakfast order and departed for Mukuuni:

We arrived on the site, the playing fields 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) and Biringi (Whistle).

This was a tricky set to record because they are such vibrant performers, racing all over the place.  When we tried to contain them to get good vocals, we lost the explosive force of the drums.  When we let them run wild it was pretty difficult to get a good vocal or audio take.  Also, we were accidentally constraining them by asking them to go through their songs one by one, when in fact, what they loved to do was race through all the songs at once, in a single act.  We finally sorted through all this though.

 Ultimately we did three ‘takes’:

Mucii:   This is their introduction.  The lead singer was Gitari Thura. This is a procession song and is used to energize the crowd and performers."
-snip-
Read the other descriptions after the next two videos below.  

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ADDITIONAL VIDEOS

VIDEO #2: Original Chuka Drummers -Muntu agitura  

The Singing Wells Project, Apr 9, 2014

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dd3cycIEB6g&ab_channel=TheSingingWellsproject

Recorded in Mukuuni, Kenya, on the 5th March 2014.

For more information on the recording, please go to: http://www.singingwells.org/stories/day-4-nkubu-to-mukuuni-to-nairboi/ -snip- Here's the description of this video from that link: "Muntu agitura:   Lead singer  was Micheni Ndic. This song warns men about being too much loved by women because they end up becoming foolish and unable to manager their manly affairs. [Think back to the ‘circumcision lessons.’]"

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VIDEO #3: Original Chuka Drummers - Medley of Mware, Ukiona, Wenda - The Singing Wells project

The Singing Wells Project, Apr 9, 2014

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBV5cV8oOYE&ab_channel=TheSingingWellsproject

Recorded in Mukuuni, Kenya, on the 5th March 2014. For more information on the recording, please go to: http://www.singingwells.org/stories/day-4-nkubu-to-mukuuni-to-nairboi/ -snip- Here's the description of this video from that link: "Medley of Mware, Ukiona, Wenda: We then did a medley of their songs to keep the energy – Mware was led by Gitai Thura, and Wenda Kuthii by Eustace Njuki and Gitar Thura.  Mware is about an uneducated woman who wants to be married to an educated man.  This song challenges the woman to get an education in order to be at par with the prospective spouse."

**
VIDEO #4: Original Chuka Drummers - Mwinjiro

Saumu News Ke, Oct 3, 2020

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Seven YouTube Videos Of Traditional Tharaka (Kenyan) Dances

Ura Gate Tharaka Traditional Dancers.Jan 31, 2021

'Kibuucho Nyange' Performed by Ura Gate Tharaka Traditional Dancers

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Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases seven videos of traditional dances performed by Tharaka (Kenyan) people.

Some information about Tharaka people is included in this post along with a few comments from the discussion thread for the video that is given as #6.

The content of this post is presented for cultural, folkloric, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners. 

Thanks to the Tharaka people and thanks to all those who are featured in these videos. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the producers and the publishers of these videos on YouTube.

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PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
I happened upon the video given as #3 below while randomly "surfing" YouTube for videos of African music and dance. I'm African American and unfortunately, I wasn't aware of the Tharaka people before I watched that video.

There are additional videos of Tharaka dances on YouTube. However, it's very difficult to find information online about those dances.  If you are familiar with Tharaka dances, please share information online. For instance, what is the meaning of these dances and on what occassions were they traditionally performed? Are the dances as shown in these videos still traditional or have they been adapted? Thanks in advance for sharing information about Tharaka culture with the world.

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BRIEF INFORMATION ABOUT THARAKA PEOPLE
Excerpt #1
From https://artsandculture.google.com/exhibit/the-tharaka-community-of-kenya-national-museums-of-kenya/ngKCMhEi2AShKw?hl=en
"A look into the history and culture of the Tharaka community

The Tharaka are a Bantu-speaking ethnic community in Kenya. They are a sub-community of the Ameru, and their origin is connected to the culture of the Chuka, Mwimbi, Imenti, Tigania and Igembe communities. The language of the Tharaka is Kiitharaka. The larger Tharaka community is located on the low plains between the slopes of Mount Kenya in the west and the upper Tana River in the east, Tharaka-Nithi County.

Migration and settlement: from Congo to the Tana River

Their history of migration dates back to the spread of the Bantu people from Congo, where the Tharaka remained near the river and the rest settled in the Meru County."...

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Excerpt #2
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tharaka-Nithi_County
"Tharaka-Nithi County is one of the 47 counties of Kenya located in Kenya's former Eastern Province. The county has an area of 2609 km2 and as of the 2019 census a population of 393,177.[2]

 Tharaka-Nithi County is the home to the Chuka, Muthambi, Mwimbi and Tharaka sections of the Ameru (Meru) community. The people of Tharaka-Nithi County are nowo predominantly Christian with the Catholics, the Presbyterian, and the Methodists being the predominant religious communities.

The county consists of three constituencies: 60. Maara, 61. Chuka/Igambang'ombe, 62. Tharaka.”…

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Excerpt #3
From https://www.arcjournals.org/pdfs/ijhsse/v2-i2/4.pdf "A Social Narrative on Tharaka People in Kenya, Africa" by Beatrice Kabui Icheria

International Journal of Humanities Social Sciences and Education (IJHSSE) Volume 2, Issue 2, February 2015, PP 49-55 ISSN 2349-0373 (Print) & ISSN 2349-0381 (Online) www.arcjournals.org
Page 49
..."Many people across Kenya call a Tharaka person, Mutharaka a Mumeru (a Meru person). However, some Tharaka people (Aatharaka) view themselves as an independent entity from the Ameru and others regard themselves a sub-section of the Meru community. There has been insufficient information both in hard and soft prints on Tharaka as a sub-tribe of the main Meru tribe or as an independent unique entity outside the Ameru. Very few publications have information concerning this people, while some researchers and anthropologists have written wrong claims concerning Tharaka people and other ethnic groups.

The historical origin of Aatharaka is enshrined in the Ameru legends and folklores. Many readers across Kenya therefore have little clue who a „Mutharaka‟ is, including the news reporters who misreport on the people because, they lack background information concerning the area and the people. Many have gone to an extent of destroying the cohesion of Aatharaka with their neighbours because they rely on the background information relayed to them by people who are

Page 50

not from Tharaka."...

[...]

Page 51

...Creation of Tharaka-Nithi District in 1992 increased a feeling of “autonomy” by Aatharaka.

The district was edged from the main Meru District. The new districts were named Nyambene (later Meru North), Meru and Tharaka-Nithi (was to be named Meru South). Tharaka-Nithi District was not named Meru South; because it was felt that Atharaka needed a unique identity as a people independent of “Meru”. The opinion of the people is divided on this. Some people see it as a self-uplifting ego while others view it a sign of patriotism.

Further, Tharaka-Nithi District got sub-divided into two districts: Nithi District comprising of Chuka, Mwimbi and Muthambi, and Tharaka District composed of Aatharaka only. It is during this sub-division that the Nithi District residents felt the need to pick up the chance for a name they had been “denied”. Meru South District resurfaced. Tharaka District mountainously stood out as a self entity; a self people with no mixture of blood and their desired name “Tharaka” District came by.

Currently, Tharaka people have cordial relationship with other Meru Sub-tribes. Modern political intrigues put aside, they relate with Chuka people as brothers. They believe they both were born of the same father but different mothers. The Chuka‟s mother was called Ciampandi and Tharaka mother was Ciangoi. Aatharaka are said to have blood relationship, “Giciaro” with the Muthambi community therefore are not supposed to intermarry. They also share some clans with the Imenti and Tigania peoples making them “blood” relatives but can marry."..

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ADDITIONAL YOUTUBE VIDEOS

VIDEO #2: Kigane Traditional Dancers - Exit Song (Authi style) - The Singing Wells project

The Singing Wells Project, April 9, 2014

Recorded in Nkubu, Kenya, on the 4th March 2014.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chle2G4OcOc&ab_channel=TheSingingWellsproject
For more information on the recording, go to http://www.singingwells.org/stories/day-3-nkubu-to-mariene-to-murungurune-to-nkubu/ -snip-
Here's an excerpt from that page:
..."The Music Groups

Mariene Traditional Dancers

This group formed in 2003 and is led by Simon Munuki.  They are from the Ameru Ethnic Community. Their musical style is Kirarire and Authi.

The lead singer wears Murungi, an ornament on both sides of the arms which is worn by the initiator/circumciser; it signifies a man of respect and authority.

Their costumes include Lesos, necklaces, face painting, spears, fly whisks, gourds, and head gear, called Nkoroi made out of cow skin, with Monkey hide.  The women cover themselves with green head scarves.  The group uses the Kibere (shaker), performed by Jeremiah M’Mbiwiriaft, and the Coro (the flute), played by Simon Muriuki."...

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VIDEO #3: Tharaka dancers.

Karani M'thari, Oct 13, 2016

Social entertainment

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_YR1Q2wkj4&t=208s&ab_channel=KaraniM%27thari
-snip-
Is the dance that is performed in this video the Authi dance? If not, what is the name of that dance and is this dance really just performed for social entertainment? Was that the reason why it was traditionally performed?   

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VIDEO #4: Nchungo: A Tharaka Dance

Wega Team, Dec. 21, 2019

The larger Tharaka community is located on the low plains between the slopes of Mount Kenya in the west and the upper Tana River in the east, Tharaka-Nithi County. Nchungo is one of the most romantic dances, with vigorous movements atuned to the drums...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJzaGSoCxUg&ab_channel=WegaTeam

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VIDEO #5: A Tharaka dance that everybody won't wish to miss.

NEWSFLASH KENYA, August 3, 2020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BdiXexXt0A&ab_channel=NEWSFLASHKENYA

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VIDEO #6: Authi

Ura Gate, Tharaka Traditional Dancers, Jan 28, 2021

'Authi' Performed by Ura Gate Tharaka Traditional Dancers

Here are selected comments from this video's discussion thread. All of these comments are from 2021. Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6DZHYrfzzc&ab_channel=UraGate%2CTharakaTraditionalDancers

1. mawata douglas
"Good work Authi! Good work Mhesh Matanka. Marimanti represented too."

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2. Atanasio Kithinji
"I love our traditions well done Ura gate dancers and Mhe.Matanka

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3. decluiz muris
"Soo nice, when I misses the authi i just click, keep going"

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4. Miriti Marigu
"This is it.. I love it."

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5. julius njagi
"Nice traditional songs"
-snip-
Here's a quote from https://www.arcjournals.org/pdfs/ijhsse/v2-i2/4.pdf "A Social Narrative on Tharaka People in Kenya, Africa" by Beatrice Kabui Icheria. (Read the brief excerpt from this journal article that is given above.)

"Page 52
Folk songs and dances of the pre-colonial and colonial eras such as ncungo, mburi, njai and Kibuco are no longer performed but Folk songs such as Kirarire, Authi, Mbeere and Gacanda (a more recent dance) are sang and danced with pomp for circumcisions."...

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VIDEO #7: Najai

Ura Gate, Tharaka Traditional Dancers,Feb 1, 2021

'Najai' Performed by Ura Gate Tharaka Traditional Dancers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUk3zavqaWM&ab_channel=UraGate%2CTharakaTraditionalDancers

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Kalya Cultural Dancers (Marakwet Ethnic Group, Kenya) -"Anyiny Tumdo" ("Blessed Ceremony"), Video With English lyrics

Kalya Cultural Dancers, Nov 8, 2020

Ceremonies such as Engagements & Marriages are the most celebrated events in Marakwet Community. ANYINY TUMDO (Sweet/lovely) Ceremony... **** Edited by Azizi Powell This pancocojams post provides information about the Kalenjin and information of the Marakwet, a sub-group of the Kalenjin ethnic group in Kenya, East Africa. This pancocojams post also showcases the Marakwet wedding song "Anyiny Tumdo" as performed by the Kalya Cultural Dancers. The English lyrics for this song which were given as captions in this video are also included in this pancocojams post (with a few minor spelling changes and a change in the order of two verses.)

The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes. All copyrights remain with their owners. Thanks to Kalya Cultural Dancers for their musical and cultural legacy. Thanks also to all those who are featured in this video and thanks to the composer/s of this song. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post. -snip- I noticed how the people in this video are doing a dance that I and many people in the United States and in some other countries would describe as the "Conga line". However, that dance in this video may be a traditional Marakwet dance and not doing the Conga or copying off of the Conga line.  Be that as it may, I've added a tag for "African processional videos, and a tag for "Conga line" so that I (and others) can find this post in the future.  

**** INFORMATION ABOUT THE KALENJIN From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalenjin_people "The Kalenjin comprise a number of ethnic groups indigenous to East Africa, residing mainly in what was formerly the Rift Valley Province in Kenya. They number 6,358,113 individuals as per the Kenyan 2019 census. They are divided into 11 culturally and linguistically related tribes: Kipsigis, Nandi, Keiyo, Marakwet, Sabaot, Pokots, Tugen, Terik, Sengwer, Lembus, and Ogiek.[2] They speak Kalenjin languages, which belong to the Nilotic language family.[1]"... **** INFORMATION ABOUT THE MARAKWET From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marakwet_people "The Marakwet are one of the groups forming the ethnolinguistic Kalenjin community of Kenya, they speak the Markweta language. The Marakwet live in five territorial sections namely Almoo, Cherangany (Sengwer or Kimaala), Endoow, Sombirir (Borokot) and Markweta (the dialect giving rise to the common name). Cutting across these territorial groups are a number of clans to which each Marakwet belongs. There were 119,969 Marakwet people in 2019.[1]

Most Marakwet today live in the Elgeyo-Marakwet County, a notably beautiful and picturesque part of Kenya. It is bounded to the east by the Kerio River at 1000 m above sea level, which runs through a small branch of the Great Rift Valley. To the west it includes almost the entire Cherang’any hills which rise to 3300 m above sea level west of the Marakwet escarpment. Significant populations of individuals of Marakwet heritage are also resident in the Trans Nzoia, and Uasin Gishu counties, as well as in other towns in Kenya. Others have moved to live in places as far away as Australia, Southern Africa, the Middle East, and United States."...

****
ENGLISH LYRICS FOR THE MARAKWET SONG "ANYINY TUMDO" (BLESSED CEREMONY)
(as sung by Kalya Cultural Dancers) *

We are full of joy
Colorful ceremony
In a Holy place
Blessed ceremony, Haaa iyaa. bride and groom this is your day.

Marriage at the altar
Coloful ceremony
The wedding is blessed
Blessed ceremony, Haaa iyaa. bride and groom this is your day.

It started with Adam
Colorful ceremony
Adam and Eve
Blessed ceremony, Haaa iyaa. bride and groom this is your day.

Marriage was there
Colorful ceremony
Marriage is blessed
Blessed ceremony, Haaa iyaa. bride and groom this is your day.

Such a beautiful couple
Colorful ceremony
Blessed ceremony
Blessed ceremony,
Haaa iyaa
Bride and groom, this is your day.

Guest have arrived
Colorful ceremony
With blessings
Blessed ceremony
Haaa iyaa
Bride and groom, this is your day.

Guests have arrived
Colorful ceremony
From all directions.
Blessed ceremony
Haaa iyaa
Bride and groom, this is your day.

Parents have come
Colorful ceremony
Together with uncles
Blessed ceremony
Haaa iyaa
Bride and groom, this is your day.

Many have come
to the coloful ceremony
Blessed ceremony
Blessed ceremony
Haaa iyaa
Bride and groom, this is your day.

Good hearted couple
Colorful ceremony
Are fulled with joy
Blessed ceremony
Haaa iyaa
Bride and groom, this is your day.

Our beautiful bride
Colorful ceremony.
Beloved daughter
Blessed ceremony
Haaa iyaa
Bride and groom, this is your day.

Here are your sisters
Colorful ceremony
Come bearing gifts
Blessed ceremony
Haaa iyaa
Bride and groom, this is your day.

Brothers are coming
colorful ceremony
Together with your sisters
Blessed ceremony
Haaa iyaa
Bride and groom, this is your day.

See how people are happy?
Colorful ceremony
Enjoying your cremony
Blessed ceremony
Haaa iyaa
Bride and groom, this is your day.

See how women 
Colorful ceremony
Are rejoicing
Blessed ceremony
Haaa iyaa
Bride and groom, this is your day.

See how men
Colorful ceremony
Are rejoicing
Blessed ceremony
Haaa iyaa
Bride and groom, this is your day.

Our marriage is blessed
Colorful ceremony
We thank our guests
Blessed ceremony
Haaa iyaa
Bride and groom, this is your day.

This day has been successful
Colorful ceremony
We thank our guests
Blessed ceremony
Haaa iyaa
Bride and groom, this is your day.

Goodbye to all
Colorful ceremony
And keep the love
Blessed ceremony
Haaa iyaa
Bride and groom, this is your day.

Goodbye to our visitors
Colorful ceremony
And keep the love
Blessed ceremony
Haaa iyaa
Bride and groom, this is your day.

Blessed ceremony
Colorful ceremony
Blessed ceremony
Haaa iyaa
Bride and groom, this is your day.

Blessed ceremony
Colorful ceremony
Blessed ceremony
Haaa iyaa
Bride and groom, this is your day.
-snip-
This is my transcription from the captions in that YouTube video.

Notice that I made minor changes in some lines: 
-I corrected the spelling of the word "altar" and replacing the word "on" with "at" for the words "at the altar"
- I changed "sister" to "sisters" (since the plural word "sisters" was mentioned in the following verse).
-I changed the word "gift" to gifts" in the line "your sisters are coming bearing gifts"
-I changed the line "bye our visitors" to "goodbye to our visitors"

No disrespect intended, but the order of the verses that are given above is a change from the order that the verses were sung in this video. I moved the "Our marriage is blessed" and "This day has been successful" to right before the "Goodbye to our guests" verse instead of after the "See how people are happy" verse.
.
I changed that order because it seemed to me that putting the verses in the couple's voices together makes e more sense than separating those verses.

Again, I mean no disrespect. I love the words, the music, the dancing, the clothing...I love everything about this video and really appreciate that the publisher added English captions since unfortunately, that is the only language I know. Adding English captions helped me-and I'm sure many other people-understand this wonderful Marakwet wedding song. I'm grateful for that. 

**
Additional Pancocojams Editor's Notes: 
I wonder if it is the custom for one or more people within the Marakwet communityto improvise the beginning words to this song at weddings and have no fixed order for the verses and no fixed limit for the number of verses. I'd  love to "hear" from anyone who is familiar with this song as sung by the Marakwets regarding this speculation.

I'd also love to learn whether the dance that is performed in this video which resembles what Americans call "the Congo line" is traditional to the Marakwets culture.

****
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Visitor comments are welcome.

Sauti Sol featuring Nyashinski - "Short & Sweet" (information & lyrics)

Sauti Sol, May 21, 2018

-snip-

Statistics as of July 11, 2021 at 8:38 AM ET
Total # of views - 20,595,580

Total # of likes - 110K
Total # of dislikes - 4.5K
Total # of comments -8,873

****

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases the official video of "Short & Sweet" by the Kenyan Afro-Pop group Sauti Soul featuring Nyashinski. 

Information about Sauti Sol and the lyrics for the song "Short & Sweet" are included in this post.

The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Sauti Sol and Nyashinski for this song and for their musical legacy. Thanks to all who are quoted in this post.
-snip-

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2021/07/odi-dance-official-video-video-of-odi.html for the closely related pancocojams post entitled "Kenya's Odi Music & Dances (Information About The Odi Dance Moves and Official Video & Video Of An Odi Challenge)". That post includes some information about the history of Odi music and dance.

****
INFORMATION ABOUT SAUTI SOL
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sauti_Sol
"Sauti Sol are a Kenyan afro-pop band formed in Nairobi,[1] Kenya by vocalists Bien-Aimé Baraza, Willis Chimano and Savara Mudigi in 2005.[2][3][4] Initially an a cappella group, guitarist Polycarp Otieno joined before they named themselves Sauti Sol.[5]

Sauti Sol released their debut studio album Mwanzo on 1 November 2008, to critical acclaim. Their second studio album, Sol Filosofia, was released on 25 February 2011, earning the group a number of accolades and nominations in the process. On 18 June 2012, the band released a self-titled extended play in collaboration with South African rapper and record producer Spoek Mathambo.[6] Their third studio album, Live and Die in Afrika, was released online on 21 November 2015 as a free download, available for 48 hours as an early Christmas present.[7]

The band has had several successful tours in Africa and Europe, topped Kenyan charts and gained international attention with shows in Europe and the US, as well as television appearances and various accolades and nominations, including their 2011 concert performance in Kenya with South African a cappella group Ladysmith Black Mambazo.[8] The band has also received both local and international accolades and nominations, including at the Kisima Music Awards,[9] the Channel O Music Video Awards,[10] the MTV Europe Music Awards, and the BET Awards.

[...]

Origin:  Nairobi, Kenya

Genres: Afro-pop, kapuka

Years active     2005–present

[...]

Members:       

Bien-Aimé Baraza

Willis Chimano

Savara Mudigi

Polycarp Otieno"...

****
OFFICIAL LYRICS- SHORT & SWEET

(from the song's official YouTube video)

Intro:

Uuuh uh!...

BIEN:

I think we fell in love too fast
African nights in a cool rush
And I remember you refused to kiss me
And now you’re using my toothbrush
You say you think I talk too much
That I’m not your type and you don’t like the hype coz your daddy is a preacher
Now you’re wearing my t-shirt
And I don’t want this night to end before you know I love ya
I don’t want this night to end before you know I need ya
Na muda usiniishie nikwambie i love ya
I don’t want this night to end before you know I need ya
So i'mm keep it ....

CHORUS (BIEN):

Short N Sweet
DJ play the song on repeat
Odi Odi dance to the beat
Hapo ulipokamata na feel so sweet x2
Short N Sweet
DJ play the song on repeat
Odi Odi dance to the beat
Hapo ulipokamata na feel so sweet x2

NYASHINSKI:
Yeah!
You wanna do the right thing
You find this too exciting
Your friends tell you kudate mtu ka mimi ni high risk.
Throw that sh-t* behind me. (Yeah!)

Come sit beside me.
If you got too much class then do me like assignments. (Yeah!)
Please don’t remind me of the bad times
You’re sugar sweet, you’re icy bad in my eye.
It shouldn’t be so hard to make up your mind
Just do it one time for the one time.

Ha!
Itakua fair ukiparticipate
Vile nimejitolea ungejua ungeappreciate
Lighting intimate
1 + 68
Usirush ata ukitoka saa hii you’ll still be late
Tusiache chance ya kufeel regret
How much higher than this can you ever get
Hii ni Mt. Everest
And by sunrise I’m gone I’m not here that long
Keep it ..

CHORUS (BIEN):
Short N Sweet
DJ play the song on repeat
Odi Odi dance to the beat
Hapo ulipokamata na feel so sweet x2
Short N Sweet
DJ play the song on repeat
Odi Odi dance to the beat
Hapo ulipokamata na feel so sweet  (na na naaa na na naa)
Hapo ulipokamata na feel so sweet

SAVARA:
Aaah!
Hi crib ni bed sitter, na sina kiti so utakalia kitandaaa na.
Hii kitanda na ni 4 by 6 usingizi wa pono kauko 6feet deep
Kabla ni zame 6 inch deep , acha niset mood na ma oudi
Na ngoma za Kabaka Daudi
Na ngoma za Oliver Mtukudzi

CHIMANO:
Can we….
Get in closer
Let's get warmer
Lose the tension
Be together
I know how to treat you better
(Make this...) Moment unforgettable
With this, feelings undeniable
Moyo ushajipa kwani
Na nafsi  imekukubali
Nimekimbiza nyuki nile asali
O Lord! …
I’m a keep it…

CHORUS (SAVARA and CHIMANO):
Short N Sweet
DJ play the song on repeat
Odi Odi dance to the beat
Hapo ulipokamata na feel so sweet x2
Short N Sweet
DJ play the song on repeat
Odi Odi dance to the beat
Hapo ulipokamata na feel so x2

OUTRO:
Uuuh uh!...
(You wanna do the right thing
You find this too exciting
Your friends tell you kudate mtu ka mimi ni high risk.
Throw that sh-t* behind me.
Come sit beside me.
If you got too much class then do me like assignments.)
-snip-
I added italics to the names of the singers to distinguish those names from the song's lyics.
 
*This word is fully spelled out in these comments.

****
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Visitor comments are welcome.

Kenya's Kagan Kochia Traditional Dancers (2011 Luo dance video, information, and comments)

The Singing Wells project, Sep 8, 2014

Recorded and filmed on the 30th November 2011 at the Homa Bay hotel in Homa Bay, Nyanza, Kenya, as part of a field trip to record the music of the Luo.

You can read the field report from our visit here: http://www.singingwells.org/stories/day-12-homa-bay-and-the-kochia-dancers/ *

For more information, please go to: www.singingwells.org
-snip-
*This page includes brief  text accompanied by all of The Singing Wells project videos of Kochia traditional dances as well as group and individual photographs of those dancers.

****
Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases a  2011 YouTube video of the Kochia Traditional Dancers 

This post presents information about the Luo ethnic group as well as information about the Kochia Traditional dancers.

Selected comments from the discussion threads for various YouTube videos of Kochia Traditional Dancers are also included in this post.

This content is presented for cultural, inspirational, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owner.

Thanks to all past and present members of Kenya's Kochia Traditional Dancers. Thanks to members of The Singing Wells project and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publisher of this video on YouTube.

****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE LUO (African ethnic group)
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luo_people
"The Luo of Kenya and Tanzania are a Nilotic ethnic group native to western Kenya and the Mara Region of northern Tanzania in East Africa. The Luo are the fourth largest ethnic group (10.65%) in Kenya, after the Kikuyu (17.13%), the Luhya (14.35%) and the Kalenjin (13.37%).[1] The Tanzanian Luo population was estimated at 1.1 million in 2001 and 1.9 million in 2010.[2] They are part of a larger group of related Luo peoples who inhabit an area ranging from South Sudan, South-Western Ethiopia, Northern and Eastern Uganda, Northeastern DRC, South-Western Kenya and Northern Tanzania.[3]

They speak the Luo language, also known as Dholuo, which belongs to the Western Nilotic branch of the Nilotic language family. Dholuo shares considerable lexical similarity with languages spoken by other Luo peoples.[4]

The Luo descend from migrants who moved into western Kenya from Uganda between the 15th and 20th centuries in four waves. These migrants were closely related to Luo peoples found in Uganda, especially the Acholi and Padhola people. As they moved into Kenya and Tanzania, they underwent significant genetic and cultural admixture as they encountered other communities that were long established in the region.[5][6]

Traditionally, Luo people practised a mixed economy of cattle pastoralism, seed farming and fishing supplemented by hunting.[7] Today, the Luo comprise a significant fraction of East Africa's intellectual and skilled labour force in various professions. They also engage in various trades such as tenant fishing, small-scale farming, and urban work.[8]"...
-snip-
Here's information about the "Nilotic" referent:
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nilotic_peoples
"The Nilotic peoples are peoples indigenous to the Nile Valley who speak Nilotic languages. They inhabit South Sudan, Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, DR Congo, Rwanda and Tanzania.[1] Among these are the Burun speaking peoples, Karo peoples, Luo peoples, Ateker peoples, Kalenjin peoples, Datooga, Dinka, Nuer, Atwot, Lotuko and the Maa-speaking peoples.

The Nilotes constitute the majority of the population in South Sudan, an area that is believed to be their original point of dispersal. After the Bantu peoples, they constitute the second-most numerous group of peoples inhabiting the African Great Lakes region around the Eastern Great Rift.[2] They make up a notable part of the population of southwestern Ethiopia as well.

The Nilotic peoples primarily adhere to Christianity and traditional faiths, including the Dinka religion."...

****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE KOCHIA TRADITIONAL DANCERS
From https://www.singingwells.org/groups/kochia-traditional-dancers/ 
"Music of the Luo

The Kagan Kochia dancers are a group of traditional dancers from the Rangwe Sub-County in Homa Bay, Kenya. The group has a strong history, being found in 1965, and since then its members have dedicated themselves to entertaining guests at countless national celebrations and holidays, private events, as well as internationally as part of the Folklife Festival in the UK and in the USA at the Smithsonian Folk Festival.

As well as this they are determined with their performance to preserve the incredible Ramogi dancing, a mainstay of traditional Luo culture. Ramogi was the patriarch of the Luo people, and this centuries-old dance is performed by mature men to beseech his spirit to possess them. Some moves of the dance represent the movements of birds, reflecting the ostrich feathers that the dancers wear.

Lead by Alfred Migure, they have built a reputation for themselves as one of the most exciting groups to perform traditional Luo music, with their vibrant regalia and dance moves to match. Their brightly coloured outfits (replacing the more traditional clay colours that dancers would adorn themselves with) are augmented by attention-grabbing ostrich feather headdresses (the ostrich, a symbol of beauty and courage, represents the courage they will need to entertain) and monkey fur. They are accompanied by drumming, and the Tung’, the Luo horn."

****
SELECTED COMMENTS FROM SEVERAL YOUTUBE DISCUSSION THREADS FOR VIDEOS OF THE KAGAN KOCHIA TRADITIONAL DANCERS

The discussion threads for these comments are given in no particular order and are numbered for referencing purposes only.

Discussion thread #1
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iGUcQRLRp4&ab_channel=TheSingingWellsproject
Kochia Dancers - Philip Okundi - The Singing Wells Project

The Singing Wells project, Mar 27, 2012
1. mazomo, 2013
"We need more of this cultural dance, I remember kisumu show back in the seventies when they walked on stilts and had upto 50 performers doing those acrobatic moves, hitting the deck and leaning back shaking those shoulder feathers. Can we have more."

**
2. Reply
celoh, 2019
"This new phone generation they don't have time ..just enjoy while you can"

** 
3. Hezron Owaka, 2013
"Ramogi .... Jowi! Jowi! Jowi!"

**
4. Beegee Obi, 2013
"Ayayaya Ramogi kendeeee!!!!!"

**
5. river nile bank nya om, 2018
"Beegee Obi 🤣🤣🤣 ramogi mapek!!

**
6. Mwangi Gitau, 2013
"let go back to our roots. I'm going to reintroduce tero buro in my village!"

**
Reply
7. river nile bank nya om, 2018
"Mwangi Gitau 🤣🤣🤣you not easy bro"

**
8. Musée Rusé, 2019
"Which country is this dance from?"

**
Reply
9. otieno oduor, 2020
"Kenya"

****
Discussion thread #2
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwVlHnpw8Io&ab_channel=TheSingingWellsproject [embedded video]

1. Collins Orondo, 2018
"superb traditional attire,rich culture,nice song,love it."

**
2.  Malitt Ishmael, 2020
"True Luo culture.  Kudos"

****
Discussion thread #3
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAxAthJoofw&t=377s&ab_channel=KikwetuCulturalAdventures
Kagan Traditional Dancers - Performing Ramogi Dance during Kikwetu Cultural Adventures Festivals

Kikwetu Cultural Adventures, Feb. 27, 2020

1. Augustine Mboi,  2020
"i remember my childhood with this....i used to watch them at homabay stadium during every holiday...so cool guys"

**
2. hotep 79, 2020
"This brought me to tears,I was taught that this is demonic, but now I'm woke and now know that this is who I am,these guys are from my hometown. I'll very soon make my way to Ramogi hill to confess my sins and reconnect to my ancestors, DOWN with these foreign religions!!!"

****
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