Uploaded March 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The song is about an elderly gentleman, Salim Apamo, who lives in the same village as the musicians. He is praised for his good deeds and contributions to the community's development.
Salim Apamo is known for paying dowry on behalf of young men in the village when they are ready to marry and for generously rewarding musicians with cash, goats, and cows as a token of appreciation when they perform at his events.
Kenge Kenge symbolise all that is great about East African traditional music: they are the guardians and masters of an ancient but living tradition. They breathe new life into Kenya's Luo musical roots, continuing its evolution, from the hand made instruments of the past, through the popular guitar based benga, and now returning to both re-explore the acoustic origins of benga and embrace their Luo musical heritage.
The group’s thorough mastery of the traditional Luo Orutu fiddle and Nyatiti lyre has spearheaded a new way and approach to how these age-old instruments are played, much to the appreciation of contemporary audiences. Characterized by often racy and compact instrumentation, Kenge Kenge’s music infectiously invites one to the dance floor.
The song is about an elderly gentleman, Salim Apamo, who lives in the same village as the musicians. He is praised for his good deeds and contributions to the community's development.
Salim Apamo is known for paying dowry on behalf of young men in the village when they are ready to marry and for generously rewarding musicians with cash, goats, and cows as a token of appreciation when they perform at his events.
Kenge Kenge symbolise all that is great about East African traditional music: they are the guardians and masters of an ancient but living tradition. They breathe new life into Kenya's Luo musical roots, continuing its evolution, from the hand made instruments of the past, through the popular guitar based benga, and now returning to both re-explore the acoustic origins of benga and embrace their Luo musical heritage.
The group’s thorough mastery of the traditional Luo Orutu fiddle and Nyatiti lyre has spearheaded a new way and approach to how these age-old instruments are played, much to the appreciation of contemporary audiences. Characterized by often racy and compact instrumentation, Kenge Kenge’s music infectiously invites one to the dance floor.
