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.
Wa Winjigo Ero
Ayub Ogada Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ayub Ogada's life is a prime demonstration of the wonders of cultural collision; the exposure to both traditional African and modern Western values provided a rich background on which he founded his unique musical talents.
Ogada is one of the Luo people of Western Kenya, and he received his first exposure to Western culture early on.
When he was six, his parents (also musicians), toured the college circuit in the U.
S.
Ogada then returned to Kenya with his parents, and was educated in a Catholic school, then an English boarding school.
After finishing school, he played for several years in a Kenyan group called African Heritage Band, which fused traditional music with the sounds of rock and soul that Ogada and bandmates heard regularly on the radio.
In 1986, he decided to take his talents abroad.Armed with hisnyatiti (a lyre-like stringed instrument), he went to the U.
K., and played on the streets for money.
After the better part of a year, he was approached and asked to play at Peter Gabriel's WOMAD festival.
In 1993, he was invited to Gabriel's Realworld Studios, where he recorded his first album, En Mane Kuoyo (Just Sand).
He continues to tour extensively with WOMAD. Steve Mc
Mullen, Rovi
by GIGI VALENCIA
Ayub Ogada's Wa Winjigo Ero is a beautiful and haunting song in the traditional music style of the Luo people of Western Kenya. At the heart of the song is the feeling of longing or yearning for something that has been lost or forgotten. The lyrics, sung in Luo, speak of a lost love that the singer cannot forget, and the struggle to move on from the pain and heartache.
The song begins with a simple rhythm played on the nyatiti, a traditional instrument with strings made from animal gut that is played by plucking. As the song progresses, other percussive elements are added, and the nyatiti is joined by the voices of the backup singers. The melody is plaintive and sad, reflecting the melancholy mood of the song.
One interesting aspect of the song is the use of call and response between the lead singer and the backup singers. This is a common technique in traditional African music, and it adds to the emotional impact of the song. Another interesting feature is the use of a technique called yodeling, which is used to express intense emotion, such as longing or grief.
Line by Line Meaning
Wa winjigo ero
This is a traditional Luo phrase that is often used to start a song or dance. It essentially means to let go and lose oneself in the moment.
Wa kongo jo
Another traditional Luo phrase, this means to throw oneself into the dance with exuberance and energy.
Ji ayenda lweny timbegi
This line is a reference to the nyatiti, a traditional Luo stringed instrument that Ayub Ogada often plays. It signifies the importance of music in his life.
Tich ohando duto lwakwa
This line speaks to the importance of community in Luo culture. It means that despite any differences, we are all connected as part of the same community.
Wa winjigo ero
Again, this line serves to remind listeners to let go and enjoy the moment, regardless of any worries or concerns they may have.
Wa kongo jo
This line reiterates the call to fully immerse oneself in the dance and revel in the joy of the moment.
Ji ayenda lweny timbegi
Once again, this line references the nyatiti and the importance of music in Ogada's life and culture.
Tich ohando duto lwakwa
This line continues to emphasize the importance of community and the unity of all people.
Wa winjigo ero
One more time, Ogada calls for listeners to let go and embrace the present moment with abandon.
Contributed by Brayden F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ataraschimmel9893
I bow to this man with the deepest and greatest of Gratitude for the beautiful gifts, wisdom and truth he has shared with me and continues to share with me. God Bless Africa. Rise Up Africa. There is no land more perfect than Africa.
@okothbrian4245
Do you understand?
@AbstractSurrealist
Thank you honey
@dilipaweeratunga
Africa is kept poor by some countries not in africa
@davidbrown1566
He was a gift while he was with us, guiding the world back to the true source of the music that captivates us all today: AFRICA.
@kmar8921
How sad that you're gone. Too soon that was. Thank you for the beauty you shared through your music, making the world a better place to be.
@danielonyango1836
Ayub Ogada's impact on Nyatiti Music is truly remarkable, and his efforts have brought the beautiful sound of the Nyatiti to the world stage, he inspired my generation.
@alexkurak6620
This is beautiful music and an outstanding performance. Listening to these songs makes me want to learn more about the Luo people and Kenya as a whole. May God bless the people of Kenya, and the Luo in particular. Thank you, Ayub Ogada.
@onestarfillednight
Oh how sad this man has passed, How beautiful his music was/is! I just discovered his music today.
@larryasego928
A sad day it is!
Auma buwinjaaa
Koth birooooo
Keluru dhok ei dalaaaaa
(The best use of the nyatiti in my books)