Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
On day 3 of the Songs of the Next Generation, we visited the Osiri village, Bondo, Siaya county. Here we heard what is known as Orutu dance music. We were greeted by a group of young and middle-aged musicians waiting for us in a well-spaced homestead with two big mango trees. Even though this field trip was dedicated towards the songs of the next generation, this group was so excited for us to be there that they insisted that we record them.
The instruments they used were the:
Ohangla drum
ajawa (shakers)
ongeng’o (metal ring)
bunde (traditional drums)
orutu (fiddle
sanduk (sound box)
This group was six people in total, all male. They wore sisal skirts on top of their trousers and traditional hats made from palm leaves, while some wore feathered hats. The group consisted of three adults and three young boys.
Their first song was called:
🔹 “Thum Oyuma”- It means this song you take as a joke, you will stop one day
🔹 “Nyathigi Akeyo” - A sister to akeyo ( a girl)
Recorded: Kenya, Siaya County
Date: December, 2025
On day 3 of the Songs of the Next Generation, we visited the Osiri village, Bondo, Siaya county. Here we heard what is known as Orutu dance music. We were greeted by a group of young and middle-aged musicians waiting for us in a well-spaced homestead with two big mango trees. Even though this field trip was dedicated towards the songs of the next generation, this group was so excited for us to be there that they insisted that we record them.
The instruments they used were the:
Ohangla drum
ajawa (shakers)
ongeng’o (metal ring)
bunde (traditional drums)
orutu (fiddle
sanduk (sound box)
This group was six people in total, all male. They wore sisal skirts on top of their trousers and traditional hats made from palm leaves, while some wore feathered hats. The group consisted of three adults and three young boys.
Their first song was called:
🔹 “Thum Oyuma”- It means this song you take as a joke, you will stop one day
🔹 “Nyathigi Akeyo” - A sister to akeyo ( a girl)
Recorded: Kenya, Siaya County
Date: December, 2025
