Schools in Rift emerge top in cultural dances

Sinon Primary School from Rift Valley Region performing African Traditional Cultural Dance during Day 2 of the 93rd Kenya Music Festival at Kabarak University on August 4, 2019. [Harun Wathari]

Schools in Rift Valley topped in the African traditional cultural dances category in the National Music Festivals.

The category, sponsored by the Education ministry, saw participants from 14 schools present Maasai, Taveta and Samburu songs, keeping away from dings from Rendile and Njemps.

In the presentation, Oloolaimutia Boarding Primary School emerged winners, while Kishermoruak Primary School and Ole Ntutu Primary School came second and third respectively.

Jackline Bulinda, a judge, observed that while most participants brought out the educative values in their songs, others showcased good adherence to culture.

“The performance was fairly good; some grasped the topic and danced out well while others brought out the educative value and the theme of national cohesion. In the category, Njemps and Rendile songs were not represented, although they are in the same class,” she observed. 

In the Turkana and Pokot dances, Lokichar Primary School took the prize while Nalemsekon and Olorwo Primary Schools emerged second and third.

In the battle of flexibility and ability to hit the right moves and grasp right speed, the schools creamed their performances with creative wears to depict the culture.

Mathare Girls, from the Central region, coloured cut-out boxes for beaded necklaces, while Lokichar Girls gyrated with speed of a spinning coin.

In the African folk songs with sacred text category for primary schools, Lokichar Primary School from West Pokot won, while Mbilini Primary School from Eastern region came second.

Bedzibar from the Coast and Alfred Power from Rift Valley tied in the third position.

In this category judges observed that the presentations were good, except for blending spirituality, tradition and culture.

“In such songs, we expected the competitors to mention names of prophets, to be spiritual and carry the audience away, but there was a disconnect in grasping spirituality and culture,” a judge said.

And in the African group dances for technical teachers’ training colleges, Meru TTC took the crown while Murang’a TTC and Thogoto TTC emerged second and third respectively.