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Out of all the African countries, the music and dances in Kenya are perhaps the most diverse, with an assortment of popular and folk forms of local and international origin.
Traditional Music and Dances in Kenya
Traditional Kenyan music has its origin in the chants and songs of the Nomadic tribes of Kenya, particularly among the maa speaking groups.The use of drums which are central in Kenyan dances also have an ancient past. Interestingly enough, the word Ngoma is used to describe most forms of traditional music and dance.Sikuti, a dance that continues down from tradition is the local name for a drum. Paired male and female dancers with the accompaniment of several drums, bells, long horns and whistles usually perform this energetic dance. The Kamba and Chuka people have a distinctive drumming style. The Kamba are also well known for their athletic almost acrobatic dancing. Other traditional instruments are the reed flutes and the finer Nyatiti, similar to the medieval lyre. Combining elements of African percussion with Arabic rhythms with poetic Swahili lines, a unique music called Taarab evolved. Taarab still remains a popular form of coastal Kenyan Music. Modern Taarab continues to evolve, and is now borrowing some rhythms and grooves from Hindi film music and bhangra too. From the colonial period comes Beni singing, a group folk song narrative that served as a critique of the society and politics of the times.
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Modern and New Wave Music in Kenya
Kenyan Independence saw a wave of change in Kenyan music. Kenyan popular music evolved with the influence of South African Jazz, Zimbabwean guitar music and the Congolese pop. Benga, hybrid music was born as a result. Meanwhile the growth and influence of Christianity popularized the genre of music called gospel music in Kenya. Kenya today is under the influence of the new age music like reggae, rap and rhythm, all finding their way into Kenyan music. Kenyan musicians are also creating fusion music, synchronizing the western influences with the traditional music of Kenya. Kenyan music is slowly hitting the world music scene too.
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