Aristes, dancers, display electrifying performances during Mashujaa Day

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 yesterday in Kwale.

The rhythm of the festival started in a slow pace with the 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 sub-tribes of the Mijikenda community at the end of ceremonies, such as weddings, national holidays or fundraisings.

The dance is accompanied by the sounds of Uzumari (Oboe), Patsu or ukaya (metal tray), Chivoti (flute), and drums from 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 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 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 belted out their favourite hits as the Head of State rode into the brand new Kwale Stadium where he took a lap of honour to 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 forming 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 Kenya Defence Forces parade during a national celebration.