The Kenya National Music Festival hit day three in Kisumu with a bang as various institutions showcased their abilities.
The Wednesday concert featured cultural dances, traditional dances, folk songs as well as Islamic religious songs from the Technical and Vocational training institutions.
However, it was class 811 which has the cultural dance that attracted massive audience to MM Shah Primary School.
The class attracted 14 institutions who all believed to have the best masterpiece.
But as for the adjudicators the National Youth Service (NYS), Nairobi were the best performers.
It took us two months to prepare for this dance and we have got a reward for our hard work
Benard Atego
Kamabega
NYS performed a Bukusu cultural dance known as ‘kamabega’.
The dance is usually performed during happy occasions including childbirth, circumcision, weddings.
Through well-organized beats, accompanied by metallic jingles, artistic drumbeats, agile dance moves and songs the NYS team made it irresistible for the judges to deny them a trophy.
Speaking after the victory, the institutions music trainer Benard Atego said that his 10-year experience with the cultural dances made him carry the day.
Atego said that they had worked hard during the training sessions and the trophy was a reward of passion and commitment to the dance.
“It took us two months to prepare for this dance and we have got a reward for our hard work,” said Atego.
He went ahead to state, “I am very proud as a trainer that my students made and I now urge the government to nature the serious talents we have across the country.”
NYS floored his arch rivals Eldoret Polytechnic and Kaimosi Technical who came third and fouth after Shamberere Technical Institute.
Isukuti
The three teams also performed a Isukuti dance which originates from the Isukha and Idaho communities.
The dance is usually accompanied by traditional drums.
Since the locals who could not comprehend the accent, they heard “Isukuti,” and that became the name that has stuck to date
Paul Kisali
According to Paul Kisali who trains Eldoret National Polytechnic music team.
The name Isukuti was coined from a language barrier scenario between Luhya community and white settlers.
When the white men visited the western part of Kenya and were welcomed with songs and dance.
The mood created by the drums and dances was loved by the white men and they said ‘it’s good’.
“Since the locals who could not comprehend the accent, they heard “Isukuti,” and that became the name that has stuck to date,” said Kisali.
The music festivals will run up to Sunday, September 25th.
This year’s theme was Kenya my pride, my future.
