By Emmanuel Mwendwa

Using the ancient accordion instrument played in accompaniment to percussive, clang sounds of the karing’aring’a metal rings — the artiste perpetuates catchy tunes of a rare genre traced back to the 1930s.

For many local music enthusiasts, the name of Wachira Waweru is unlikely to ring a bell. The veteran musician can oly be compared to deceased traditional Kikuyu mwomboko maestros late Njoroge wa Mungere aka Cinda Gikombe (Win a Trophy) and H.M Kariuki.

Wachira is referred to as one of the handful surviving mwomboko musicians.

Performances

Recently, Wachira expressed concern that upcoming contemporary musicians are not interested in learning the ropes and rudiments of mwomboko music.

Wachira and his accordion. [PHOTO: EMMANUEL MWENDWA/STANDARD

"This captivating folk songs could fizzle out in the near future unless current generation of musicians take the mantle from us but not a single musician has shown interest," he explains.

The artiste recalls Kariuki’s producer, Joseph Kamaru encouraging him to learn how to play the accordion. Initially he was reluctant but gradually embarked on a transitional journey, shifting from playing the guitar to the accordion.

"This instrument is unique, skillful performance combines both solo and bass chords. Kamaru was insistent I pursue mwomboko music mainly because I’d previously played percussive back-up sounds on Kariuki’s songs using metal rings and tin-shakers worn around the ankle," he recounts.

Prolific artiste

H.M Kariuki later rose to fame as the most prolific kikuyu traditional music performer. There were however, other uncelebrated mwomboko musicians such as Wa Tuaku-Mochori, Wa Gatonye and Wa Kidole – all who passed on in the 1980s.

There are rare classics credited to accordion music pioneer, the late Shinda Gikombe.

Historical records indicate mwomboko dance and music is closely linked to pre-independence era, Mau Mau armed struggles against the colonial government.

The birth of the cultural genre is traced back to between late 1930s and early 1940s.

According to Wachira, mwomboko was among several dance styles such as muchungwa, kiremberembe, murucho, tindo and machi. These spawned off a traditional Kikuyu dance known Muthirigu, which thrived during the 1920s.

"Muthirigu was a vigorous local social protest dance. The colonialists were irritated by the dance, particularly because it espoused female circumcision and was banned in 1930s," he explains.

But the return of World War II carrier corps and soldiers, granted the genre a new lease of life. "Some of them brought back the accordion," recalls Wachira.

Currently, the artiste is keen on stimulating the cultural dialogue flame by recording contemporary folk music.

His debut seven-song mwomboko CD is aptly titled Ngeithi (greetings) and features tracks Thogora ni Maitho, Kahora Kahora, Karendi, Cionane, Ni Mwathire and Bilicira.