Kikuyu sound clips

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Kikuyu sound clips

All clips are OGG files streamed via M3U playlists; "low" quality are for slow internet connections, "high" for 56k modems and up. You may need to install an audio player or plug-in to be able to play the files - for more information, links and troubleshooting advice, see help.

There are more clips in each of the tribal sections, and a selection of tracks from over twenty tribes here.

Mudhuo - praise song Traditional Kikuyu music has been hard to come by. I collected several cassettes of what I'd call neo-traditional music, combining old rhythms with newer melodies and instruments like electric guitar and accordion (squeeze box), but really traditional music cropped up only one two compilations. Their age is given away by this song, in which children sing the praises of Jomo Kenyatta, Independent Kenya's first President (1963-1978).	2:05	low high
Ngucu - praise song Another praise song, this one sung by men and women in praise of a member of their own age group.	2:29	low high
Ndangienyenyeka - women's song	4:01	low high
Mundu wa Njugu - women's song Women singing in a call-and-refrain pattern, accompanied only by the wind.	2:07	low high
Utheeci - women's song Another soothing women's song, this time unaccompanied by a constant pounding beat, possibly a large drum, and rattles.	5:16	low high
Mucung'wa dance Pronounced Mchunguwa, Mucung'wa is a popular dance performed at all kinds of ceremonies.	2:34	low high
Circumcision song Possibly called Kegambagamba, this is a modern choral rendition of a traditional Kikuyu circumcision song performed by the multi-ethnic Bomas of Kenya of Nairobi.	3:11	low high

Credits
Mudhuo, Ngucu and Mucung'wa are taken from the cassette, "Traditional Music of East Africa Vol.I" (C/Trad Vol 1; no other details).
Mundu wa Njugu, Ndangienyenyeka and Utheeci are taken from the cassette, "Traditional Music of East Africa Vol.II" (C/Trad Vol 2; no other details).
Circumcision song is performed by the Bomas of Kenya; taken from the cassette, "Bomas of Kenya: Songs of our African Heritage" (ZAIT 511).