Hey 👋
How old were you when you learnt that Tanzania, Zambia and South Africa use the same instrumental sound for their national anthem?
The original hymn Nkosi sikelel’ iAfrika was written in Xhosa language by Enoch Sontonga.
Zimbabwe and Namibia also used to share the same until they adopted new compositions.
☠️The Rainmakers who bury their dead seated
The Balunda clan of the Bukusu people are believed to have power over the heavens, hence the name rainmakers.
They have a unique tradition of burying their dead while seated, a rite reserved solely for men and women married into the clan.
Omwami Mwene of Mulembe Nation has done an eye-opening story on the origin and significance of this practice to the Balunda.
The Inception of Bongo Flava
A cocktail of traditional Tanzanian taarab and dansi music, and American hip hop, with additional influences from reggae, R&B and afro beats, influenced the formation of a unique style of music in the streets of Dar es Salaam, the Swahili hip hop or popularly known as Bongo Flava.
Bongo Flava is a corruption of "Bongo Flavour". Bongo is the plural of the Swahili word ubongo, meaning brain. The music style began as an underground movement in the late 1980s to early 1900s, with the rap done in Swahili and English.
Reminisce the classic bongo hits from the pioneer artists such as Professor Jay, Lady Jaydee, Soggy Doggy, Ferooz, Alikiba, Matonya etc.
The modern Bongo Flava artists like Diamond Platinumz have managed to do something distinctive to the genre. Not only have they made it a source of national pride, but they have also put structures in place to guide the production and distribution of the music and monetization in the sector.
Birgit Quade and Lydia Martin of Africultures have penned down the Success Story of Bongo Flava, highlighting the onset of the journey, how it has evolved and, the issues the bongo artists face in the creative industry.
The Legendary Professor Jay, the King of Bongo Flava.
"Nikamkuta casino la wadachi na walatino
Akigonga mvinyo, wa hashipapi, hashipinyo
Pechiechipinyo na pamba za mandarino
Macho yalinitoka mithiri ya zingonginyo"
These lines from Professor Jay ft Ferooz song Nikusaidiaje is just a snippet of how his music is informative and full of imagery laced with punchlines and tongue twisters.
Joseph Haule, popular known as Professor Jay, is a Tanzanian rapper, songwriter, politician and one of the pioneers of the Bongo Flava music genre.
He began his career in 1989 in a band known as Hard Blasters under the stage name Nigga J. A year later, the group, best known for their hit song Chemsha Bongo would win the award for best hip-hop group in Tanzania. In 2001, Jay decided to pursue a solo career producing his first album Machozi Jasho na Damu.
To learn more about the biography of the celebrated musician, check out this informative article by Tuko. It dives deep into his career, political life, family life and accolades.
A big shout out to Professor Jay for always addressing societal issues like infidelity, HIV/AIDS, wealth, corruption e.t.c, in a very educative and entertaining way.
Have you ever listened to professor jay's music? Which is your favourite?
Special Mentions
📌 A podcast and blog which covers South African solved and unsolved cases. - True Crime South Africa.
📌 Foreword to “Yosemite: der bildband uber den nationalpark” - Modecai Ogada.
📌 A must watch film by team mkurugenzi. Buy and support homegrown talent - Philittv.
RIDDLE🧠
I may be simple or complex; I may have a name but no gender or sex; I am often a question or statement; I tend to have an answer. Til you find it, I won't let up. What am I?
Answer (For subscribers): Proverb
TONGUE TWISTER
Chieu chieo chiege chiege chung chwako chai chai chiek chieng chiro (Luo)
Direct Translation 😊: Chieu wakes up the wife, the wife wakes up and makes tea, the tea gets ready on the market day.
DID YOU KNOW 🚀
Chad, a landlocked and the fifth largest country in Africa, is named after Lake Chad, the second largest lake in Africa whose size has shrunk by over 90% since 1963 😢.
Top destinations to visit in Chad: Tibesti Mountains, Abeche, Ennedi, Lake Chad, Guetta d’Archei and Lakes of Ounianga.
Enjoy this playlist of conscious songs by Tanzanian legends Professor Jay, Lady Jaydee, TMK Wanaume, Rostam and Ferooz.
Special thanks to Stephanie for editing this issue.
Have a great week, and thanks for reading. - Mike
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