Ayub Ogada (Job Seda, Mombasa, Kenya, 1956 - 1 February 2019) was a Kenyan … Read Full Bio ↴Ayub Ogada (Job Seda, Mombasa, Kenya, 1956 - 1 February 2019) was a Kenyan singer and nyatiti player. The nyatiti is a five to eight-stringed plucked lyre played by the Luo people of Western Kenya.

Ayub Ogada was also an actor landing major roles in films including the Academy Award Winning Out of Africa (1985) and Kitchen Toto (1987).

Ogada arrived in the United Kingdom in 1986, and in 1993 recorded the album En Mana Kuoyo on Peter Gabriel's Real World label. His music has also been heard on the soundtrack of the 2005 film The Constant Gardener and collaborates with Susheela Raman on several tracks on her "Salt Rain" album, such as "O Rama" . In addition, Ayub Ogada has collaborated with the Afro Celt Sound System on their first and fourth releases.

In 2012 UK guitarist/producer Trevor Warren visited Ayub in Kenya and recorded the album Kodhi:Trevor Warren's Adventures with Ayub Ogada, released on Long Tale Recordings 2015.

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Kothbiro
Ayub Ogada Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hah
Hahye hahye aye hahye
BIS

Om maam na pum imjya
Kothbiro
Ke luru do ketaa-lha
Om maam pum imjya
Kothbiro
Ke luru do ketaa-lha

Hah
Hahye hahye aye hahye
BIS

Om maam pum imjya
Kothbiro
Ke luru do ketaa-lha
Om maam na pum imjya
Kothbiro
Ke luru do ketaa-lha

Hah
Hahye hahye hahye

Hah
Hahye hahye hahye

Yah yebi tom nuguee
Um kuru tili bare made
Kothbiro
Kem luru do ketaa-lha

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Ayub Ogada's song Kothbiro are in an indigenous Dholuo language from the Luo community in Kenya. The song is a beautiful tribute to the beauty of Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa, which is also known as Nam Lolwe by the Luo community.

The first verse talks about the lake as the singer describes the sounds and sights of the lake. The repetition of the phrase "Om maam pum imjya Kothbiro/Ke luru do ketaa-lha" is a poetic way to describe the ebb and flow of the lake's waves. The second verse is more of an ode to the people who live along the lake's shores, as the singer describes the daily activities of a fisherman on Lake Victoria.

The chorus, "Hah Hahye Hahye aye hahye," is a rhythmic chant to match the undulating waves of the lake. The bridge talks about a person who has gone away and the singer wonders when they will return, singing "Yah yebi tom nuguee/Um kuru tili bare made Kothbiro/Kem luru do ketaa-lha."

Kothbiro is a beautiful and evocative song that not only pays tribute to Lake Victoria and its people but also speaks to the universal longing for the return of a loved one.

Line by Line Meaning

Om maam na pum imjya
I have come from a land far away

Kothbiro
I am here

Ke luru do ketaa-lha
To find peace of mind

Om maam pum imjya
I have come from a land far away

Hah
A sound of astonishment

Hahye hahye aye hahye
A welcoming chant

Ke luru do ketaa-lha
To find peace of mind

Om maam na pum imjya
I have come from a land far away

Kothbiro
I am here

Ke luru do ketaa-lha
To find peace of mind

Hah
A sound of astonishment

Hahye hahye hahye
A chant of contentment

Yah yebi tom nuguee
Let us unite and celebrate

Um kuru tili bare made
The beauty of our land and our people

Kothbiro
I am here

Kem luru do ketaa-lha
To find peace of mind

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MBARAK ACHIENG, AYUB OGADA

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@kisskata6254

8y↑161

rain is coming

Kothbiro (rain is coming)
Auma do you hear what I say
The rain is on it's way
Return our cattle home
Yaye the children
What is it that you think you do?
The rain is on it's way r
Return our cattle home.

@bettyachieng726

5y↑10

(Ha haye haye
haye haye haye haye) x2

Ouma be uwinja, koth biro, keluru dhok e dala x2
Ouma, are you people listening to me? It's about to rain, bring the cattle back to the homestead

(Ha haye haye
haye haye haye haye) x2

Ouma be uwinja, koth biro, keluru dhok e dala x2
Ouma, are you people listening to me? It's about to rain, bring the cattle back to the homestead

(Ha haye haye
haye haye haye haye) x2

Instrumental

(Ha haye haye
haye haye haye haye) x2

(Ha haye haye
haye haye haye haye) x2

Yaye nyithindogi, unkoro unutimoru nade, koth biro, keluru dhok e dala.
You children, what are you doing? Why are you not listening to me? It's about to rain, please bring back the cattle to the homestead

To yaye nyithindogi, unkoro unutimoru nade, koth biro, keluru dhok e dala.
Gosh! You children, what are you doing? Why are you not listening to me? It's about to rain, please bring back the cattle to the homestead

(Ha haye haye
haye haye haye haye) x2

Ouma be uwinja, koth biro, keluru dhok e dala x2
Ouma, are you people listening to me? It's about to rain, bring the cattle back to the homestead

Yaye un nyithindogi, unkoro unutimoru nade, koth biro, keluru dhok e dala.
You children, what are you doing? Why are you not listening to me? It's about to rain, please bring back the cattle to the homestead

To yaye nyithindogi, unkoro unutimoru nade, koth biro, keluru dhok e dala
Gosh! You children, what are you doing? Why are you not listening to me? It's about to rain, please bring back the cattle to the homestead.

(Ha haye haye
haye haye haye haye)x2

All comments from YouTube:

@Mersi1254

31w↑56

2024. Anyone?

@NjabuloNjekaModise

16w↑3

We here sis🫂

@maureena8545

13w↑4

Present

@justone807

5w↑3

And beyond 💯

@user-fd1fg5xb7p

🇷🇺

@victorkimotho6352

Absolutely

1 More Replies...

@malaikamahlatsi5373

7y↑1.2K

My mom, Dipuo Mahlatsi, loved this song deeply. We came across it on The Constant Gardener. My mom lost her battle to gastrointestinal cancer two months ago - at the young age of 45. Listening to this song brings back the best memories we shared - including my university graduation ceremony, which she attended just six weeks before she passed away.

I will always love you mama ka. You are the star of the story that I will always tell.

@edwardlebese968

6y↑8

Malaika Mahlatsi sorry to hear that. 45 years. Eish.

@jennydeady1983

6y↑4

❤❤❤

@aridilamis

6y↑10

I'm sorry for your lost. Your mom is a angel nownand she'll be there for you from heaven.

@aprilwojewoda459

6y↑9

So sorry for the loss of your mom, and at such a young age. <3

@Emgee101

6y↑13

A fitting song to remember your mom by. And all those we love and lost. Sad that this great musician receives little recognition in Kenya where he is from.

58 More Replies...

@t_m_mickey

3w↑5

An kenda ema ng'eyo Ayub Ogada bang' post mar NGC, most streamed Spotify. Omera wer ni mit, wer ma muol❤❤❤❤nind gi kwe! Ayub

@ylacefortune254

weche ler

@vic-da-62

5y↑96

Rest in peace ayub Ogada.
The rain finally came,
And the cows came home too.
May you find solace in the hereafter

@WayOfHaQodesh

32w

Rest in Shalom achi.

@elcritico3616

28w↑4

Muy seguramente desde el otro lado del Mundo tu comentario me ha roto el corazón. Paz en su Tumba... Y Paz para el Mundo. Palestina merece la Paz y la Libertad.

@Ladyfaithke

5w↑4

Was born ,lived and died for this beautiful soothing song .Rest in power hero!

@ylacefortune254

this song has got most streams in spotify ..his legacy lives

@symonwambugu7702

12w↑15

Am a Kikuyu and this song touches me so deep inside my soul. Most of the time after job I sit outside my house, go to YouTube and listen to this song until sunset. The lyrics are very soothing.

@williammartin3884

12w

Went to mombasa and met so many great people rafiki masouri

@EstebanMataVargas

11w

I´m a Latin American and this song touches me very deeply too. Now that I just found a translation of the lyrics I can understand it is soothing.

@spytung

10w

Please can you share the translation?

@sekorobert4459

3w↑1

@spytung it's almost raining...bring the cattle home.
The words are used metaphorically, though.

@OBrienOtieno

9y↑668

Translation

Auma be uwinga (Auma do you hear me)
Koth biro (Rain is coming)
Kel uru dhok e dala ( Bring the cows home)
Hah, Haye haye haye haye haye haye

@memastarful

4y↑14

Who is Auma,?

@memastarful

4y↑24

Thank you for translation God bless you

@OBrienOtieno

4y↑40

Estrellita Patino Auma is a Luo name for a girl.

@memastarful

4y↑20

@@OBrienOtieno that is precious translation

@lindaclayton9849

4y↑13

Thank you I've been searching for the translation since the movie premier.beautiful music.

49 More Replies...

@pearlolifant5689

6y↑98

My dance teacher used to play this song during the cool down section of our class. It always left this huge smile on all the students faces but no matter how much we asked, he never gave us the names of the musicians he played in class. He always told us to go out and look for African music. Five years later and I finally found it! The absolute joy in my heart <3

@rubensmarquesfilho954

2y↑1

Nossa, que linda história 🥰🥰🥰🥰

@sideratux

2y↑4

ha nice :)
i mean i'm not happy it took this long but i bet the journey was interesting

@deepsengupta3619

Beautiful memory indeed

@ongaro_kongaro

7y↑127

I am Kenyan and Luo (the dialect he is singing in), this is so awesome, reminds me of the good old days when cows were so treasured in Luoland.

@louisotieno4712

1y↑2

Luwanda Magere SHOULD RISE

@palukubuhuzu7167

32w

😊😊😊😊😊q😊q

@MegaArteArte

18w↑1

Now, after reading your comment, I love Luo. I heard this mantra since a was a teenager, I love it, but I have never known what it says. Could you please tell us?

@lindawood5568

18w

❤

@stephanie-ed2247

15w↑3

@@MegaArteArte the rain is coming child bring the cattle home

5 More Replies...

@baantawai

5y↑141

So saddened to hear of Ayub Ogada's passing. Thanks for the beautiful music you gave us brother. RIP Ayub.

@25mclarke

5y↑1

I love this song.....it is transcendent.

@cloudflores9838

5y↑1

When did he die?

@kr3539

3y↑2

@@cloudflores9838
Feb 2019.

@cloudflores9838

3y↑1

@@kr3539 😢 thanks

@kr3539

2y↑1

@@xcyberscar4992
Who's Jiv Rangla? Sounds Indian.

1 More Replies...

@josephpowon8436

4y↑107

As a kenyan,ashamed to learn about him after his death. I been searching for his music ever since,we truly don't appreciate our own despite of him having had global recognition. R. I. P

@dennisagina

Bana joh!

@EstebanMataVargas

52w↑7

As a Costa Rican, I cannot tell you how grateful I am for the wonder created by your countryman. Long life to Africa and Latin America.

@ylacefortune254

true

@cavinouma2434

5y↑51

And The Lord said, let there be Nyatiti. Who should play it? Then he brought Ayub Ogada. The soil eats our heroes, but it cannot eat the tales of Ogada, the rythm of Seda will remain... Rest in Peace Ayub

@mathewomolo

He was born to play the nyatiti

@jayjoshi9951

8y↑387

I don't understand any word.. but I don't need to. I simply love this composition

@carlosenriqueandricksonabr258

8y↑14

that's why is good to know the universal language.

@marina140452

guarda piu' sopra c'è chi ha messo la traduzione. semplice essenziale. perfetto anche il testo

@viksra

5y↑8

Someone put the words at the top of the comments

@polycanodhiambo2760

5y↑7

@@viksra It' a luo song, 'Koth biro' means the Rain is coming

@raphaelmolah4381

4y↑2

can translate for you word by word

24 More Replies...

@OnyangoApudo-th9ys

1y↑10

Ayub Ogada..I had the privilege of meeting up with him at my place of work. Such a simple soul,Rest on brother.

@williamruthi1978

9y↑583

This is Exhibit A for a prophet not being appreciated at home. You scroll down the commentator section and you see almost every single one of them is European/West. I am Kenyan, and a large majority do not know this great man right here.

@platosklozet

9y↑4

I know I love this .. So powerful .....

@MrXtrodinaire

9y↑20

Bill Rawthee Another Kenyan here. I never knew Ayub existed till I shazamed this track off some documentary. Surprising really!

@williamruthi1978

9y↑6

Guru Dex Shame shame! He great.

@williamruthi1978

9y↑2

loc'd&deeplyrooted I co-sign.

@DrBeeSpeaks

9y↑12

I danced to this song years ago in a dance concert. It's beautiful, fortunately music has no color. It's grabs ahold of the hearts of the people who can appreciate its message.

60 More Replies...

@GoldenLight22

6y↑158

One of the most beautiful pieces of music I have ever heard

@ayanda1271

4y↑3

🙂

@xcyberscar4992

2y↑1

This music is just copy of jiv rangla song

@Aech_0

2y↑1

@@xcyberscar4992 This song was released in 1993. Jeev Rangla was released in 2009. Safe to say Ajay-Atul copied or got inspired from a part of this track.

@davidmukethantoribi9726

Ayub Ogada was a maestro. the best kenyan Luo has produced

@stevenhulbert7540

@@xcyberscar4992 It's not a copy, that's an instrumental rendition of Ogada's song, Ogada's song has lyrics...

2 More Replies...

@AltairdeAlmeidaAltairedStates

8y↑338

I came across this beautiful song in Biodanza, an amazing healing system using music, dance and self-transformation.Someone said it was a Swahili song. Having been born and raised in Kenya, I realised it was not Swahili, but it is in Luo, one of the tribal languages from around Lake Victoria region of Kenya.Such an evocative tune. From comments below it appears he is little known in his native country, Kenya, a great pity. Maybe it is time for Kenyans to wake up to one of their sons who is popular in the West, singing native songs from his heart.May All Beings be Peaceful.

@robyrobinson8428

8y↑5

well said altair...healing it is..:)

@eddie8177

8y↑5

its a luo song sang by a kenya

@agmartin4438

7y↑11

Altair de Almeida, he is singing in Luo which is one of the 44 tribes in Kenya. Not a word of swahili in it. This is out (Luo) traditional folk music

@fredrickotieno2602

6y↑2

True.... I just love it...

@25mclarke

6y↑5

evocative indeed!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I deal with a ton of stress at work and I would listen to this in between stressful phone calls at my desk......it was like nectar for my soul!\

10 More Replies...

@duzzitmatter8679

6y↑226

Found this on a Putumayo CD in Iraq 2004/05. I liked the CDs so much because, as a huge heavy metal fan, I truly didn’t know that I was looking for something to bring my nerves and mind to a calmer place. Then this graced my ears. It brought me to tears and left me staring at the setting sun taking all of the chaos away. Even if for only a few minutes. I misplaced the CD after moving about 7 times over the years and couldn’t remember the name of the artist or the song. Now it’s here again and I’ll be sure to share this work of pure lovely art with family and friends....

I can only hope that this slice of heavenly tones brings you as much Peace as it did for me all those years ago.

God, how I hate war.

@25mclarke

5y↑7

I am happy you found peace through a very bad time via music!

@bamboosa

4y↑2

Check out aikido (the real thing, not the fighty stuff) which it's "inventor" called "the Way of Harmony". Morehei Ueshiba wanted to lead Japan in a new direction when Japan declared war. He trained troops in basic martial arts and snuck the aikido in with the training. I was fortunate enough to meet his number one student who started a dojo on Maui because he was disgusted by the distillation of aikido principles in Japan. A principle of aikido would be, for instance, "you are the only enemy" and is the deepest dip into the unknown that I have ever experienced and the principles (Morehei also called it the Way of Love and wrote a book called the Art of Peace). Fighty people look at aikido and call it trickery. The masters don't participate in tournaments much. There is an amazing bit in the first Steven Segal film about the cop in a coma who wakes up and takes revenge blah blah blah that shows Morehei in an old film surrounded by attackers and elegantly turns around and the attackers are all on the floor. The dude with the Dojo on Maui has moved on and his name is...when I remember it I'll come back and type it in the comments...Tohei, I think his name is. His instruction video (5 parts in YT) is amazing - made in the 50s in Japan - and just focuses on the most basic basics. Quite the moving meditation, it is. I walk in Hollywood and things get a bit weird "on the streets" if you know what I mean. Fear would preclude me from walking to get the frikken groceries had I not embraced the principles of aikido starting when I used to peek in the window at his dojo - I was homeless (77) in Wailuku, Maui and I found an aikido instruction book written in Japanese with photos and I was hooked. Eventually I saw his dojo and peered into the window to see everybody in the class sitting on the mats with eyes closed breathing deep and concentrating on what Tohei calls "the point" and I was intrigued. This THIS is a martial art? I thought. I was sitting in the library one day and the master Tohei showed up to instruct children in the principles of aikido. In a half hour the children were doing impossible miraculous things and I was failing miserably but I remembered the four principles. By the way Steven Segal does not represent the spirit of aikido no matter what he says. I don't know why I'm telling you all this.

@kellyharris3278

3y↑2

Peace to you, my friend in music and soul.

@munenex

3y↑4

The song is koth biro: artist, writer and composer is the late Ayub Ogada originally from Kenya. May he rest in peace.

@dallhyva8801

3y↑1

Powerful. Sublime message. Merci Duzzit.

3 More Replies...

@berylonyango8968

5y↑14

proud to hear my tribesmen do justice to our language and share the beautiful music. Couldn't be prouder. Amazing.

@moffatlofty6617

5y↑27

if you love this sound you will also love Geoffrey Oryema"s Makambo. Rest in power Ayub!

@ayanda1271

4y↑29

No words can describe how this makes me feel... I do not understand the language but its speaking to me and somewhere in my African roots I understand perfectly ❤🇸🇿

@J0hnL3n1n

@@xcyberscar4992 not even close, my friend

@musnajensen9710

9y↑81

best kenyan song ever! and am not even Luo

@chainlamar861

5y↑3

It doesn't matter if you are not a luo....as long as you love this vibe... You are definitely a luo

@25mclarke

5y↑1

This song is so incredibly beautiful....I told my sister to listen to it during her IVF

@SaOpayo

4y↑1

Absolutely superb
https://youtu.be/PI3h8igI2Mc

@kymokoth

8w↑1

I'm an American, married to a Kenyan Luo 26 years....this song means more to me every single time I hear it. First heard of Ayub not long after we married. Forgot about him for many years. Now with three sons, one called Okoth....this just touches the deepest part of my soul.

@robyrobinson8428

8y↑6

not to knock anybodys music, but no electronics,profanity, no bs...just beautiful simplicity with a few notes, "the rain is coming, get our cattle home" thank you posting this....heard it in the constant gardener

@SaOpayo

Absolutely superb music an message 🙌
https://youtu.be/PI3h8igI2Mc

@Faztastic

9y↑331

I found this through the film Samsara :)

@SloboTV

+Faztastic Me 2

@Iberokolxi

8y↑1

+Faztastic We all did

@annewamai5641

8y↑12

+Alexander Souladze It was actually first featured in the award winning 2005 film The Constant Gardener. I've always loved how haunting this song is.

@arroutado

8y↑2

+Alexander Souladze I come from radio paradise, the best station in the world, search radioparadise.com

@nickygmp_350

8y↑5

Love that movie, try watching it stoned, it's spectacular!

14 More Replies...

@gilbertmungu7799

7y↑13

I am honored to have been in the same High School with this great man. It is not, as said by Bill Rawthree below, that Kenyans do not know Ayub. His talent is greatly appreciated by those of us of his generation. We do not access applications like YouTube much but I can assure you that he is well known and appreciated in Kenya. After all this is where his talent was conceived as a matter of speech. Great man Ayub. My icon on this site says it all. NOTHING BUT THE BEST!

@valdezlavi

He was from Lenana?? Nihil praeter optimum

@ayanda1271

Very informative comment Sir, proof our elders are the roots to the tree of life. Without roots, the tree withers and dies. I appreciate your generation Gilbert.

I am 26 years, 11 July 1994.

It's purely by chance that I got to know of this man discovered him today actually (17 September 2020)

God save us from Covid-19

@politotorpedo90

8y↑79

First heard this on the Ewan McGregor & Charlie Boorman series Long way Down, had to take pictures of the credits and search every song on YouTube until I found this. What an amazing piece of music, I can feel it right in my heart.

@GaryJust

7y↑2

I thought no one shared my story! :D Glad to see other people finding it through Long Way Down too :)

@lavaita9709

There was a soundtrack CD for that series http://longwaydown.realworldrecords.com/soundtrack/

@RonSimiyu

me too, scoured the internet for years, then today i decided to just google "Ayeeee ayeeee"

@wambuigichobi1179

5y↑7

Tears come to my eyes EVERY SINGLE TIME! Beautiful composition and an even better use of your voice. Every stroke of that Nyatiti is magic. Not to mention, you were very good looking Ayub.

@mhmmdmehdidurna7995

3y↑13

Pınar Deniz tavsiye etti geldik iyi ki de gelmişiz teşekkürler bebiş

@miriamojwang9881

5y↑42

Rest In Peace Ayub. You have left us with such beautiful music that will live on and on. Dhi gi kwe wuo Luo ❤️ ☀️ 🌊 🌳 peace!

@user-xx4im2mr7o

3y↑36

A divine melody from Holly Africa...
❤️ from 🇬🇷

@hukuUJERUMANI

Coming to Greece, soon

@evelynkarauki3812

Holy Africa 😍

@allelaroy

5y↑113

Rest In Peace Legend.

@redshax1756

4y↑3

Why ?

@lucynthambi8243

@@redshax1756 he passsed l think early last year

@suzan7158

😔😥🙏

@suzan7158

@@lucynthambi8243 so sorry alas

@kelvinmwango4510

3y↑1

And nobody even mentioned it, a true forgotten poet

1 More Replies...

@pzakp311

1y↑6

Unfortunately I can’t give more than only one like for this song. Touches the soul and mind in a way I cannot describe.

@deepsengupta3619

1y↑1

Yes, but there shall remain our tribute to the artist. 🙏. Love and respect from India

@pzakp311

1y↑1

@@deepsengupta3619 jarmanee ke or es bhaarat ko bahut-bahut badhaee aur sammaan.

@deepsengupta3619

1y↑1

@@pzakp311 thank you so much. Most valuable and beautiful regard I received so far. You are indeed a beautiful soul🙏

@pzakp311

1y↑1

@@deepsengupta3619 I thank you. As a human being on this world I always try to be polite and respectful and treat others the way I like to be treated. Have a nice weekend!

@deepsengupta3619

1y↑1

@@pzakp311 so glad to meet you. Yes even I do have the same philosophy. Yes I am very honored sir. Wish you a very happy life ahead. 🙏. Yes you too have a nice weekend

@wyclifejoseph8463

4y↑6

I cant believe its Royce 5'9 - Black Savage ft. Sy Ari Da Kid, White Gold, CyHi The Prynce & T.I. that reminded me how good Luos song is and brought me here once more. RIP legend

@chegeboris6703

Listen to Jim jones state of the union he sampled this one as well

@wyclifejoseph8463

boris yea it's one song I love even kanye samples the song. What a legend Ayub ogada may he continue rip

@fernandoochoa7888

4y↑20

Hace muchos años que escuche por primera vez a Ayub Ogada por la película El jardinero fiel. y no me canso de disfrutar sus notas musicales. fantástico. Incluso encontre un video donde aparece la letra. exquisita.

@davidbenavides2059

49w

Que tal esa película? La recomienda?
Yo lo escuché en la película Una buena Mentira. Muy bonita y buena. 👍🏽👍🏽

@richardgaya3965

3y↑2

R.I.P. Nyakwar Ramogi! You single handedly immortalised the Nyatiti.... and most unfortunately without much acclaim or recognition from the Luo Nation....a crime for which we stand charged and adjudged as is often the case as regards most of our cultural icons.

@innocentodeny3621

8y↑38

am crying. the imagery so beautiful in my head.

@exquisitebiscuit

Yearning...

@derrickkabochi

9y↑67

While my fellow youth are busy with their loud music, I find solace in such a great musician as Ayub Oganda. A fellow Kenyan, a dreamer and an artist. Its such people that showcase the best in our motherland. GREAT GREAT PIECE OF WORK. kudos to you sir.

@martinfiaysr4942

6y↑7

I’m Melanesian background and my wife is African, this music goes right to possibly my ancestral African brothers, I can sing this as though so natural to me.

@LivingDove

2y↑4

Long ago, in the 1990s, I would attend dance and drum evenings at Lesley College, led by Nii-Armah Sowah, who was a student there and had brought his djembe drums from his homeland of Ghana. He would always end the evenings with this song. Whenever I hear it, I think of him and those times.

@louikamanga7303

5y↑5

RIP, an unsung voice, son of Kenya! Thank you for showing us ways African music can be authentic & different!

@lionessafreeka

5y↑11

Rest in peace Kenyan lion
God knows best
This song shall remain forever in the African air we breath
🙏

@filoroma9678

8w↑1

I remember his concert in Italy❤ suddenly he said : 'kitengawili' and there I replied 'tega'😊

@unaritaemmodey5420

2y↑1

THAT legendary Guinness advert brought me here. What a soothing masterpiece.

@ss6796

4y↑3

R.I.P from Japan, I'm grateful to listen your music.

@j1k2j3s4

8y↑14

I happened upon The Constant Gardener in the last minutes of the movie, and this music from the end credits simply mesmerized me. Beautiful, expressive, so thankful for both the uploaded lyrics and the translation. And thank you, Ayub Ogada for this lovely gift.

@margaritajay1342

40w↑5

I’m obsessed with this tune, absolutely hypnotic!

@lilianachola6055

6y↑67

my 7 year old girl loves this song so much.. a day can't elapse without her singing it.
She has invented a dance style for it lol.. the pride of taking our kids upcountry to know their roots.
She believes one day she'll meet you-Ayub Ogada.

Be blessed!

@bubbles_mc_rainbow

6y↑1

May it be so for her to get her wish to meet him 🙏

@MsPrincessaj

4y↑1

He has passed away.

@denisokoth8741

Unfortunately the legend rests, try winyo too.

@ednanirvana

5y↑7

Rest in power Ayub Ogada.
Thanks for blessing us with your music

@25mclarke

This song is wonderful!

@ayanda1271

4y↑35

After repeating this track endlessly while designing and finally creating my company logo, I search for the song only to discover the man has passed on. Damn, the world is poorer with his loss.

Like that was not enough, very few know how poorer they are...

Rest In Power Ayub Ogada, I will pass this on to my children 🙏

@silviachamlee7425

5y↑2

Hypnotic Beauty

RIP
Thank you for your gift and contributing to the world stage , music truly became a little smaller without you.

@nnajigilbert8590

30w↑2

Ever since I heard this song over an advert.....I have never for one forgotten the song.Infact even when my phone was stolen all I could specially miss is this very song.Deeply listening to it brings back memories of my late mum (RIP) of which I can't help but cry within 😪.
Rest on Legend 🥰

@evanskimutai7338

2y↑8

I remember this song being sang by one of the contestants in TPF

RIP Ayub Ogada
What a masterpiece

@kay0kello894

7y↑7

My grandma used to sing it for us when telling stories. Feeling Nostalgic😊

@andreaswiki1265

3y↑2

1:25
The way you FEEL that cello snare thrill against that horsehair...
Oh the bliss!

@jevansobukwe

5y↑2

Sleep well Lion. Thank you for being part of our lives and for inspiring us with your music. Rest in Peace.

@FidelSilassie

9y↑12

I don't know the language but, i witness it is music that heals mind and heart. thank you Kenya for having such wonderful healer.

@njerigachuhi4851

5y↑7

This song was played during shavasana at Africa Yoga Project 🧘🏾‍♀️🇰🇪
So glad I discovered this gem 💞

@vicokwaro

4y↑8

One of the most beautiful, haunting songs ever made-he didn't get the recognition and acclaim at home in Kenya that he should have which makes me sad as a Kenyan..RIP Ayub Ogoda..

@thisissilly30

4y↑2

I’m blessed to have been friends with Ayub. I miss him and his beautiful music. R.I.P. dear friend

@ericharary

8y↑107

The 29 who disliked, do not have souls.

@tadalaababa5912

Eric Harary
*Kkkkkk

@heapoffish7763

sure they do- but their teleological antennae haven't sprouted yet. shhhhhh, you'll waken them...

@edliyai6873

Agreed. Let them stay with their loud and obnoxious music. How can you hate a masterpiece?

@atisatieno7626

4y↑4

My mum used to sing this song when I was a child,, I loved it and I still love it..May Your soul rest in peace legend

@royfrokello

1y↑1

Luo prayers and encouragement songs during the droughts, the singer is calling children to bring the livestock back home. The children are taught to always have faith that it will be well and they need to prepare for the rains.

Another Luo song is by elders to the community after prayers for the rains. The piece " Waloyo Yamo ni," meaning "we shall overcome the misfortune," was done by Christopher Tin.

@lionessi9494

I don't understand a word too....
But I feel from within
I give so much thanx....to Di I
Beautiful soul...
The frequency of the voice...speak...more then any words...

@miguelcunha390

6y↑3

African musicians have the simplicity, truth and purity that european / west people can´t easily find. That´s why their music is so appealing.

@remmykauffer8252

8y↑6

how can a song with such a low pace to be so freaking Epic. Incredible!

@stevenhulbert7655

@Remmy Kauffer-Just my opinion but it seems the art is in the simplicity

@Mythtafeye

6y↑2

I am very privileged to have been at the first southern hemisphere WOMAD, Adelaide 1992 . Ayub Ogada played there and I was seated on the grass only metres from him on the stage. His presence simple yet majestic, pure beauty, pure spirit and an absolute delight. Yes, of course the CD a "must have".

@MakmendeAmerudi

2y↑1

I don't understand Dholuo but always camping here. Fly with angels Ayub Ogada.

@kisskata6254

8y↑161

@alexandrafreccero1038

6y↑14

Sounds just like before the rain.. the first drops falling and the silence, as if time slows down.. love this song. Thank you for the translation

@Elhastezy888

Shokran awy ya asal <3

@BerniceKaranja2014

6y↑2

thank you!

@bettyachieng726

5y↑10

@albertmichael1537

4y↑1

@@bettyachieng726, Iyude

4 More Replies...

@spookeddudedevito

8y↑9

I could hear this song so clearly in my head and couldn't find it. my ears don't lie to me, I can hear the conviction in his voice. I have no idea what was being said but I had to find it again. finally here it is in all its glory. I could just float around in the ocean on a raft staring at the sky and sing this the rest of my life

@benardkorir4497

Those instruments are magic

@englishpoetrywithtatiana4546

1y↑1

I wrote a novel listening to that song. It makes me write. Now my dog is dying of a terrible illness and I listen to that song like I am praying to an abstract God. That song will save him, I know. There's something magical about it... And he will live 🙏❤

@sammykaranja7001

5y↑6

Rest in peace Ayub Ogada. You were such a gem

@shay_shay_bae4408

3y↑7

I want to play this at my wedding when i walk down the isle.

@AliceCostaSilva

8y↑50

Listening to it now at the opening of the olimpic games

@srdfgdfgdfgfdg555

8y↑1

very peaceful...

@anthonyshamoun7112

8y↑2

Same lol

@Korkenzieher0

8y↑4

+SithSymbiosis Same here! Our music/dance teacher played it often in the last minutes of the lessons... That was 7/8 years ago. Since then i was searching for the songname...

@solineproust4797

Alice C. S.

@yaminas140

Alice C. S. 5

@juanrosenfeldt2157

5y↑2

Rest In Peace. Your music is trascendental, timeless, healing and beyond beautiful. You have always inspired me, thank you.

@chrispenny1561

8y↑9

That olympics 2016 video of the african runner with this song was AMAZING. I love this song

@ajulianj

7y↑2

Chris Penny which one ?

@kiswahilikitukuzwe2547

7y↑1

Godfrey Oryema is another Ugandan "Luo" artist of Ayub Ogada's caliber. His song "Makambo" is a masterpiece.

@megalenz3262

6y↑4

I came across this song about 25 years a ago
and it never fails to bring tears to my eyes.
There is a sadness to it that can only be shared
through music. I have no idea what the translation
is but Ayub's voice is a musical instrument.
I bought all his albums when I heard this.

@ClaversOdhiambo

4y↑1

Royce made magic with this. Thanks, Ayub and RIP

@valentineonyango7434

4y↑1

Ayub Ogada, one of our own. Much love from kisumu, Kenya. You've taken nyatiti to another level bro. I celebrate you. You're a real hero of the lake.

@miguelangelpereyra6605

1y↑4

gracias por tu bella música hermano, allí en esos hermosos acordes vivirás por siempre y nos harás soñar siempre un mundo mejor!!!

@samouritoure3282

6y↑27

I heard the song for the first time at the burial of a friend of mine in Lamu, Shella. She was from the Nerthelands but after she visited Lamu, she loved it and her wish was to be be tried in Lamu. She had requested this song to be played during her funeral.

@25mclarke

How beautiful.....great story to hear

@exquisitebiscuit

3y↑1

I am compiling my end of life soundtrack and this is on it!

@cazmasel6519

Possibly the most haunting song I've ever heard...

@irenechanzu7173

3y↑1

Much love from Kenya, your motherland💕

@madangamadanga4136

5y↑8

Ayub has rested... Rest in peace

@markocosic8675

2y↑3

in the end 0f 2021 i lost my mom and after 2 weeks my dog....this song is helping me too keep going...

@miloblackmetalhate

7y↑2

Looooooove from India you guys my long lost African Brothers. This song brings tears to my eyes... makes me feel like some previous life where I was a shepherd in Kenya....

@miloblackmetalhate

The Monsoons arrived in my city today you guys :D
Crying at work again :P

@edmundmcgrath213

7y↑1

The Monsoons are a very viscious gang. You must force them out with pick axes and machetes if need be. Don't let them in. If they've arrived in your city you must by now have already been conquered. Crying at work will not drive them out!

@miloblackmetalhate

edmund mcgrath Hahahahaha

@krissameda6801

Thais the exact feeling on how i connect with this song, it at times makes me feel like i was born centuries ahead of my original time.
P.S I understand the dialect he sings in cause its my ethnic language and the instrument he uses is as old us our history we the Luo tribe.

@DonRobertsJr

9w↑1

The world is a sadder place. Rest in peace

@kylaporter236

6y↑6

Truly haunting and soul searching. An angel in our midsts.. I feel something as deep as the oceans and older than the trees when I hear Ayub sing this ..

@sellyj7882

5y↑10

One of my best from Ayub...Rest in peace beautiful soul ❤

@25mclarke

I lovvveeee this song! Heard it on The Constant Gardener.....just so stunning !

@MakmendeAmerudi

1y↑1

This my 200th time camping here even thouģh i don't understand dholuo. Keep flying with the angels Ogada

@edliyai6873

5y↑1

Rest in peace LEGEND. A prophet acknowledged the world over but barely recognised at home. You live on through your music.

@queenndinda7536

5y↑11

Rest in Power. 😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢

@derrickkoppuzha2733

5y↑4

Wow.. i remember listening to this song 9 years ago... just found out he has passed :'( rest in peace Mr. Ogada.. one of the most powerful songs i've ever had the pleasure of listening to

@moketemokhati8330

1y↑1

It was on the 26/10/2022 attending SALGA National Legal Practitioners Forum at Radisson Hotel, Kempton Park when I heard this song. I even went to the DJ to compliment him by playing this piece of art👌🏽

@anartistsrendition4386

3y↑2

This song has been putting me to sleep for over 25 yrs

@viksra

5y↑13

Legendary musician Ayub Ogada, real name Job Seda, died on Friday night (Feb. 1, 2019) at the age of 63.

@pakbaloch8083

Which country plz

@lucyliti5642

pak Baloch kenya

@lindagitau7886

3y↑1

Why do I feel like crying? Because this is hauntingly beautiful music, created by a beautiful Kenyan man.

@mariamartin4874

9y↑72

The Constant Gardener" brought me here

@5ammy13

@katharineofarrogant7805

3y↑2

Just heard this on Radio 3 yesterday. Didn't know how to spell his name so looked for ages before finding this. I just had to. I was so moved. Sorry to hear that he passed away last year but Ayub, your music lives on.