JUICY KENYAN BENGA TRACES IT’S ROOTS.

Benga attribute to John Ogara
The word benga was first used by the late John Ogara in one of his early compositions. John Ogara was amongst many Kenyan solders who fought the world war two. On returning to Kenya they brought along with them the acoustic Spanish guitars which they used to entertain their people in the ways they had learnt during their cultural interaction with Europe in the battlefronts.

The Pioneers
John Ogara was later joined by Nelson Ochieng’ and others, forming the pioneers of Benga in Kenya. The melodies that they played heavily borrowed from the luo lyre called Nyatiti, an eight stringed instrument. In the 1950’s other artist of Benga who made significant contribution in shaping this genre increased these included David Amunga, Collela Mazee, Owino Misiani, Ochieng’ Kabasella among others.

Congolese influence
Congolese influence was inevitable in the growth of Benga. In Zaire (now DR Congo) particularly there was already an established style of music called Rhumba which was largely associated with South American dances and songs. Though the Congolese had perfected their art they still found something peculiar about Benga especially the guitar melodies. This forced musical maestor’s like Franco Luambo to visit Kenya and learn what was going on, Later on artists like Sam Mangwana came, Tabuley also came, Liboma followed thereafter, This visits led to a lot of borrowing from each other, the Congolese and their Kenyan counterpart, Lokassa Ya Mbongo borrowed tunes from D.O Misiani’s kidi, other benga artists also aped Franco’s rhythm guitar sounds, making them abandon their acoustic guitars for rythmn guitars.

The influence of benga spread like bushfire from Luo Nyanza to other parts of Kenya , The community which was quick to borrow was mainly the Kisii (it is important to note that Okatch Biggy lived there)then later the Luhya’s also borrowed after being so reluctant because they also had their own genre which was also steady in its own rights.The Kalenjin’s who are plain nilotes in the Rift of Kenya borrowed this rythmns, a very prominent example are the Kalenjin Sisters headed by Angelina Chepchumba.

Other communities
Other ethnic communities also had their music influenced by this genre, The kikuyu especially D>K Kariuki’s music took anew turn when he met David Amunga who at this time was a Benga legend. The nature of Benga has ever since changed following the neo-musical advancements in Kenya, Although Kwasa Kwasa from DRC came and took a fair share of Benga’s place, Benga is the only style of music that Kenya can boast of sine upon its emergence it sidelined March which was a vibrant style from Europe.