Kenyan Music & Dance

Amanda DeLio & Anita Ellero

Untitled Slide

• Music & Dance are international languages
• There are 8 provinces in Kenya
• They are better divided into 5 regions
• Each region with it's own ethnic group
• Each with their own style of music & dance

Northern Kenya

• The Maasai
• Their most distinct dance involves jumping
• A circle is formed
• Woman wear beautiful shanga (necklaces)
• Their mohawks separate them from others 

Coastal Kenya

• Their dance is named chakacha
• It involves vigorous waist movements
• Taarab is another way of dancing/music
• Chakacha is the faster of the two

Eastern province

• Synonymous with the Akamba people
• They shake their shoulders
• They also stomp their bare feet
• This style is called kamba

central region

• Agikuyu is the largest tribe in this area
• Their dance is called Mwomboko
• They concentrate on hand & foot movements
• It can be compared to the waltz or a slow salsa
• This dance is one of the least vigorous in Kenya

western

• This dance is called Isukuti
• It is the most energetic combing all body parts
• It is accompanied by karingaringa and Isikuti drums
• They dance during all ceremonies
• Their most colourful dance is preformed during circumcision

Maasai Music & Dance

Music

• Generally the Maasai don't use instruments
• Their music is all vocal
• The beads they wear often jingle when they dance
• Sometimes they also wear small bells or rattles
• Occasionally a kudu (horn) is used as accompaniment

Music

• A chorus of vocalists sing together in harmony
• The olaranyani (leader) sings the melody
• Women chant lullabies and sing priases
• Common rhythms are variations of 5/4, 6/4 & 3/4

Music

• While singing the Maasai bob their heads
• Sticking their heads forward as they breath out
• Pulling their heads in as they breath in
• Their songs are performed in a call-response pattern (nambas)
• Men and women each have a specific part

Today contemporary Hip Hop musicians from Northern Tanzania are incorporating traditional Maasai rhythms into their music.

Dance

• Maasai dances are very structured
• There are specific dances for different occasions
• For example at a wedding or for cattle blessings
• Overall their dances are very simple to learn

Adumu

• Adumu: a traditional dancing competition
• Participated by the males of the tribe
• A competition to show their strength & stamina
• Also known as the "jumping dance"
• This is their most well-known dance

Adumu

• Together the warriors form a circle
• 1-2 are in the centre at a time
• They jump up with a narrow posture
• Those in the circle sing
• When the warrior jumps their voices get higher

Teaching

• The Maasai use their dances to educate visitors
• Through dance they share their traditions and way of life
• This helps to preserve their culture

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