Kenya

Kenge Kenge is comprised of young Kenyan musicians who perform roots music of the Luo community from western Kenya with lyrical arrangements that reflect influences from the popular benga pop music style. Their mastery of the traditional Luo orutu fiddle and nyatiti lyre has created a new approach to how these age-old instruments are played, much to the appreciation of contemporary audiences.

Tobias Onyango Agola, lead vocals, drums
Boaz Otieno Akech, orutu, oporo
Joseph Ojunga Kungu, horn
George Achieng’ Odero, oruto

Members of Kenge Kenge take part in a session at the Karibuni Stage: Boaz Otieno Aketch, George Achieng’ Odero, Tobias Onyango Agola, and Joseph Ojunga Kungu.

Photo by Rachel Winslow, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution

Members of Jabali Afrika, a U.S.-based Afro-rock jam band, join Kenge Kenge on the Ngoma Stage.

Photo by Pruitt Allen, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution