Mama Africa

By Suzzana Owiyo, ARC Music Productions

A review by Evon

How to describe Owiyo’s style? Think honeyed vocals reminiscent of Tracy Chapman. Think smooth melodies similar to Ladysmith Black Mombazo and Paul Simon. All music and lyrics were written by Owiyo and she sings in both English and Swahili.

From Kenya, Owiyo was musically inspired by her grandfather, a popular musician of the Luo people. From him, she learned to play the nyatiti, an instrument similar to the lyre. From the nyatiti, Owiyo progressed to the box guitar. The music on “Mama Africa” is laced with beautiful guitar work as well as traditional Kenyan instruments.

Each song is distinct from the others—by which I mean they don’t all sound alike. Each tells a complete and unique story and the fact that I speak not a word of Swahili does not impede my receiving the message of each song.

“Ngoma” is a more traditional sounding African song with Owiyo’s strong voice accompanied only by pulsing percussion. While the notes describe “Suna Ka Ngeya” as a traditional song sung by the Luo community, Owiyo is credited with writing the lyrics and the music itself sounds more like a remixed dance song. Another song with slightly techno overtones is “Lek Ne Wounda” which features the group Nessecary Noize. This song, above its synthetic drums pulls your body into a slow groove. “Sandore” is equally dance friendly—although again, don’t think in terms of belly dance.

Title song “Mama Africa,” “Masela,” and “Minwa Mary (My Mum Mary)” are the CDs slower paced tracks, subtle tributes to the powerful village women of Africa who accomplish so much with so few resources—themes which we as belly dancers can relate to in our own dance and experiences.

My favorite track is “Kisumu 100” which appears twice on the CD, once as a remix. Kisumu is a city on the shores of Lake Victoria and while the Swahili lyrics apparently urge “investors to invest in the region’s agricultural and tourism industries,” the song itself is full of life, sweetly urging you to loosen your hair, kick of your shoes, and just dance!

While a popular featured artist on the BBC World Services radio, Owiyo should take America by storm. We and our daughters are in need of more inspiring and powerful women musicians, lyricists and singers and Owiyo fits the bill.

Farfesha Belly Dance © 2004