Taarab, Sengenya dances magic at Mashujaa Day fete

Entertain at Kwale Stadium in Kwale County during Mashujaa Day celebration on Sunday 20th October 2024. [Kelvin Karani, Standard]

The rich culture of the nine sub-tribes of the Mijikenda people, Waswahili, and Arabs, punctuated by folk songs, poems, and dances dominated the Mashujaa Day celebrations in Kwale.

The rhythm of the festival started in a slow pace with Coast celebrated gospel singer Zablon Ndale’s new hit song “Mimi Ni Mzabibu”, but hit a crescendo with the Sengenya dancers by Wanasengeny Kiboko.

Sengenya dance is an arguably sophisticated dance performance by the nine sub-tribes of the Mijikenda tribe at the end of ceremonies, such as weddings, national holidays, or fundraising.

The song is accompanied by the sounds of Uzumari (Oboe), Patsu or ukaya (metal tray), Chivoti (flute), and drums from the best players in the Digo sub-tribe.                                

At intervals, a Chivoti flutist could play the melodic interludes for Uzumari when the latter stops and vice versa, while drums were played in pairs.

As the sounds of the instruments rented the air, just like the military cadence or cadence call, the leader of the group, roared “Walume Uooo (Men are you there).”

However, it was the allure of Taarab dancers’ moves and the song that President William Ruto and the dignitaries sitting at the pavilion could not resist.

Dressed in the deceptive dera, a colourful, loose, one-size-fits-all dress that traces its history to the Somali community, the ladies stole the show at the fete.

And President William Ruto, in a show of passion and gusto, could be seen smiling ear-to-ear, before he eventually threw in the towel and joined the dance.

 Although she did not stand up, like her husband to dance, First Lady Rachael Ruto also put aside the religious robe to shake to the Taraab eliciting a burst of raucous laughter from the attendees.

Popular Nairobi youthful band Wadaqiz from the populous Umoja Estate with their Anguka Nayo rendition made the President stand up and join in dancing.

Army Band Maroon Commandos pelted out their favourite hits as the Head of State rode into the brand new Kwale Stadium aboard the Ceremonial Military Landrover he took a lap of honour around the stadium where he received.

Dressed in the deceptive dera, a colourful, loose, one-size-fits-all dress that traces its history to the Somali community, the ladies stole the show at the fete.

Wild applause from Kenyans present. There was also the Kwale County Government choir and the newly formed Sisi Kwa Sisi Youth group who also took to the stage with their patriotic songs.

Before the taarab dancers took the stage, 520 students clad in white attire lined the field and formed a Kenyan map before making an African thatched hut drawing showing where Kenyans came from before independence.

 The other notable highlight during the celebration was also the first female guard of honour commander.  Lieutenant Colonel Faith Mwagandi from the Kenya Navy made history after she became the first female soldier to lead a KDF parade during a national celebration.

 A soul-fulfilling voice of Lft Conel Mwagandi issued orders to a contingent of the Kenya Army, Kenya Air Force, and Kenya Navy while leading the president to inspect the guard of honour.

 Ms Mwagandi joined KDF in 2007 where she would later be the first female commander Warship Commander in East Africa between 2019 and 2022.

And in Mombasa there was no celebration as most government officers who could preside over the event at Tononoka grounds as usual were all in Kwale.

Even Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir joined President William Ruto in the celebration at Kwale stadium.