The annual Kenya National Music Festival kicked off its second week with performances from primary and secondary schools showcasing their pieces in varying tempos.
A prevalent theme in the early dances asked Kenyans to keep the positive cultural heritage across the country's rich diversity as a way of solidifying identity and cohesion as a people.
Performances in the Taarab class of the festivals pushed the education theme a notch higher by singing songs in support of the girl child and asking adults to keep off young girls keen to pursue an education.
"Mimi Bado mdogo niache niende shule," pleads one of the songs rendered in beautiful Swahili dance and poetry as a way to ask teachers, relatives and caregivers to stop preying on young girls and impregnating them, which risks their hope of quality education.
Shockingly Nzoia Sugar Girls Primary from Western won the category, beating coast stalwarts of Consolata Catholic and Sacred Heart Girls and Affarsy Girls.
The oriental Classes registered a rather lower turnout compared to past years and this also affected the standards and quality.
Adjudicator Philip Mbinji from Coast Chorus Music Academy observed that most participants relied on Youtube for sources that at times can be misleading.
"The participant needs to do more research in the classical Oriental classes in the areas of costumes, choice of music and dance styles," Mbinji said.
The halls of Dedan Kimathi University of Technology in Nyeri County were filled with African Cultural Dances sourced from the Luo, Luhya and Suba, communities as schools presented items depicting celebrations during weddings, bumper harvest and other happy occasions.
Dago Kowuor and Nymuga Boys Primary Schools beautifully rendered a Ramogi dance performed by old men to welcome back young warriors from the battlefield.
Dressed in Owalo skirts wearing their faces in uniform makeup to the Egwugwu of the Ibo tradition, the boys gracefully danced to the beats of the drums with supple bones evident in the swift moves.
In the Luo, Luhya and Suba categories Luokonyi Primary, Lutaso Primary as well as Holy Family Bungoma presented performances from the Isukah, Idaho and Bukusu communities
Lutaso performed a Luhya Dance "Baluhya khawamile atayi," which translates to "We have come from far" which warmed the audience.
But was no match for the Dodo dance performed by the girls of Karanda Primary School from Nyando Sub-country of Kisumu wowed the audience with their calculated steps and slow-motion dance patterns and movements.
"I don't just roam into neighbour's homes, I have come here to dance,'' the soloists sang in a confident and proud fashion as the group responded by saying they would rather play than dance.
The dance carried the day in the top position in the category.
Nyakiambi from Central, Daniel Comboni from Nairobi, St Paul's CEC from Nyanza, Kapsit Girls from Rift Valley are among the groups that attempted this class in a beautiful episode that indicates how pupils from every corner of the nation have a chance to experience and express cultural performances from communities other than their own.
This feat was replicated in the Mijikenya and Taita Taveta Cultural Dance category in the same Hall One of the Dedan Kimathi University Science and Technology.
Of course, with home advantage, Kasimbiji got a kick by presenting a near-perfect rendition of the Giriama Cultural dance.
Clad in Blue, red and white garbs and accompanied by a live band of the Marimba, Firimbi, Kipafu, Kigoti and Ngoma, the pupils wore large feathered headgear as they stamped their feet to the beat.
They sang in praise of the bride at a wedding wishing her well with the new husband and wishing them many children
Kisimbaji Primary School took the top position followed by Bostol Shimo la Tewa in this category.
Other schools that performed in the segment were Rockfield Junior from Nairobi, Onjiko Primary from Kisumu, Magomano Primary from the coast, Marura Primary from Nairobi, St George's, Kathithyamaa Primary from Eastern and Jubilee Primary Schools.
According to Adjudicator Prof Rose Ongati of Maseno University, the school made a very good attempt and was well coordinated.
"I think it is a very hopeful and good moment for Kenya to see how schools from every part of the nation are engaging with these idioms, it is the best way to build a peaceful and cohesive society," she said.
