Music of the Waswahili of Lamu, Kenya, Vol. 3: Secular Music

Lamu Old Town is the oldest and best preserved Swahili settlement in East Africa and is considered a leading center of Islamic and Swahili cultures. In 2001, Lamu Old Town became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Secular music in Lamu is mainly related to weddings but also to national patriotic celebrations; it accompanies dancing and processions. Especially important to note is that the musical instruments played for secular music are never used in religious contexts. Liner notes include historical information, maps, and in-depth explanations of the selected tracks.

Track Listing

101	Goma	Musicians from Siyu and Faza	07:07
102	Chama	Seventeen men and boys from Matandoni	11:23
103	Tarab	Famau and the Harambee Music Club	08:26
201	Kirumbizi (stick dance, associated with weddings)	Drummers, zumari player and other instrumentalists	10:05
202	Vugo (women's dance, associated with weddings)	Wedding procession celebrants	06:44
203	Chakacha (women's dance)	Male instrumentalists and singers of Lamu	05:06
204	Msuwaki	Gift-bearing wedding procession	02:21