Kutalang`i By Wanjala wa Mandari & The Untold Story of Micheal Kijana Wamalwa & Musikari Kombo: A review

"Kutalang`i" is a Bukusu song that's closer to Wasike W'Musungu roots than the modern Bukusu pop sounds of Steve Kay. It was done by Wanjala Okumu and Wanjala W`Mandari and released in 2008.

Kutalang`i is Bukusu for the Lion King. 

Male lion (Kutalang`i)

Lions are symbols of strength and courage and have been celebrated throughout history for these characteristics. From the Kenyan court of arms to Rastafarian reference of Haile Selassie, even in modern times, the full mane lion is a common symbol for royalty and stateliness; hence the phrase 'king of the jungle'.

I suspect Ford Kenya chose the Lion for its party symbol with this in mind. The stimulating yet frightening "Kutalang'i" begins by harping on the familiar with the characteristic Bukusu music staccato rhythm of Litungu and Chisasi in uncomfortable harmony.

Before we delve into the majesty of "Kutalang'i", some house keeping issues first. To prime you for this musical journey, we will walk you through some incredibly interesting aspects of Bukusu speak and culture. Think of this little detour as a necessary inconvenience. Like washing your hands before dinning with elders.

"Kutalang'i" for the Non-Lubukusu speaker 

First off we illuminate some aspects of Bukusu culture on showcase in the visual composition of the song. A good music video ought cajole a song and seduce the viewer, riveting them to the body of the song; taking them to that place of beauty and clarity in the composers being as they wrote the song. A good music video ought sing to the deaf and communicate to those uninitiated in its language of expression.

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"Kutalang'i" The Music Video  

In the video done in flyby Riverwood  style, the viewer is ushered in by extravagantly adorned dancers in traditional Bukusu regalia like Likutu, Ekutwa, Kumukhinga kwe mboko, biyula and Bichenje.

The music video set exalts reincarnations of Bukusu shrines: The river bank where the Bukusu's traditionally offered sacrifices to Wele Khakaba , their fore fathers and their ancestors. " Kutalang'i" the music video, shakes off the reek of a low budget Riverwood production to deliver a lethal punch of extravagant display of the rich Bukusu culture. 

The video treats us to a 'sumptuous meal" of Kamabeka kamasisimula from the agile dancers. To pull of this kind of dance requires God endowed skill and talent. If I was to count the number of people who still pull off Kamabeka kamasisimula effortlessly,I will not count beyond the digits of one hand. These are Bakhone babewana Baala from Kabula, Kisondio of Sulwe FM, Kuka Dan of Webuye East, nende Takitari Omukikayi Namaswa. Dr. Bonnie Khalwale the Eunwa ya Ikolomani gives it a good shot but he dare not share a stage with these masters.

101 Guide to "Kutalang'i" Bukusu Speak 

In one of the spare instances where Bukusu tradition deviates from patriarchy, Bukusu male persons  in a somewhat half Spanish tradition do identify themselves by their mothers' maiden name. For example, Masinde Muliro whose mother is Makinia, becomes Muliro W'Makinia. Askari Kombo son of Nasipwondi becomes Kombo W'Nasipwondi or simply W'Nasipwondi.

 The W`Mandari in "Kutalang'i" not infrequently utilize this style thus identifying with their target audience. Moreover, they also adopt the cultural way of referring to persons by their clan. For instance, Micheal Kijana Wamalwa goes by his clan name Omuengele: Omuengele Katulang'i . Meaning (the) Omuengele (who is a) Lion. The other thing about Bukusu clans? As Boniface Munialo explains bukusu clans were known by their unique characteristics. For instance, the children of an Omulako man would be named as Balako (ironmongers), or meat lovers (Bakhayama) or potters (Baumba) and so on. Today, its not uncommon for a Bukusu to introduce themselves via these characteristics. For instance a Omuyemba might say: "ese Omuyemba mukhayama, Mukangu, Mulomi." Meaning that "I am Omuyemba, the meat lover, tall and talkative ."

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"Kutalang'i": The song, the roller-coaster of emotions.

Now that we you are now on board, lets relish Wanjala W'Mandari's "Kutalang'i". Given that the song seeks to  immortalize the passing on of Kutalang'i -Micheal Kijana Wamalwa; it had to deliver. And deliver it did. So much so it reminded me of what must be the most riveting, heart wrenching 3 minutes that have ever come out of Hollywood. I talk of the death of Musafa the first Lion King in Disney's critically acclaimed animation : Lion King 

 

This is the scene that made Lion King, the second most grossing movie of all time. In 2016, Lion King was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant".  

By my mother's navel! I earnestly pray that whoever wins the battle of Chiunwa and becomes the next governor of Bungoma will rather spend our money doing such things. Archiving and preserving Mulembe culture for our children's prosperity and not wheelbarrows, ghost 'diaries' or chopper rides. I digress.

"Kutalang'i" immortalizes the 'Mufasa' moment for Bukusu community and at large the people of Mulembe.

Parallels between the death of Musafa in Lion King & The fall of Kutalang'i Micheal Kijana Wamalwa

 

Wamalwa Kijana was instrumental in the struggle to liberate the country from the KANU regime. Together with Kibaki, in spite of the age parity, we the people of Mulembe saw a Mufasa-Simba scenario: A ruler and his successor.

Wanjala W'Mandari begins "Kutalang'i" by borrowing from a stylistic device common in narrations rather than songs: dialogue. In the dialogue, Nikola is called out and asked if he knows 'Askari Kombo'. In reference to Musikari Kombo the former Webuye MP who was elected by Ford Kenya delegates to succeed Wamalwa Kijana as party leader upon his demise of the former Vice-President. Nikola affirms that indeed it is Askari Kombo who now holds the tool of power in Ford Kenya.

Nikola's ensuing monologue informs the listener that Ford Kenya and indeed all people of Mulembe now look up to Musikari Kombo for leadership. Nikola also urges the community to work with Mwai Kibaki in order to partake the national cake and that the people of Mulembe should not to despair.

Then without warning, Nikola (Wanjala) lets out a yell! The kind of bawl let out when mourning a loved one. That  kind that Raila let out when mourning Otieno Kajwang`.

For all the transient pretense of Nikola that all is well, "Kutalang`i" is a dirge. It's a patriot's song. It is the kind of song that serves as a release after losing a gallant soldier in war. Its damn emotional. Lion King level of emotional of a brutal unexpected death. Like when Musafa (Lion king) dies in the hands of his own brother after battling gallantly to save the life of his son.

Yet, instead of being overcome with sadness, the listener's hair stands on edge when listening to it. When I first took in the majesty of the song, a few tear drops escaped my eyes. Then I choked with anger almost insidiously, when it hit me what "WE" the people of Mulembe, avandu va` halala, lost.

But this pain that eats up the stomach and pierces the heart did not start with the fall of Omuengele Katulang'i. "Kutalang'i " traces backwards this anguishing journey.

"Kutalang'i " narrates to us how WE the people of Mulembe had sat down. Consulted. Discussed. And agreed on Masinde W'Makinia as our Lion King. Masinde Muliro ran well, prepared a MEAL but just about when he was to serve us, he fell. After his burial, Mulufu (a ceremony held three days after burial for settling any issues of the dead had with the living) Litungu was brought to talk to us.

How Omuengele became Kutalang`i 

The Litungu told us that in Omuengele, we had a Lion King. Omuengele ran very fast. He was so good that even people overseas wanted to feel his majesty. And so he went overseas after taking over Ford Kenya leadership. 

Judah is a lion's whelp; From the prey, my son, you have gone up He couches, he lies down as a lion, And as a lion, who dares rouse him up?

On his return, Omuengele constructed as small semi permanent shelter -Khanyenya- for the community to take cover during storms. Then came a big storm right after constructing Khanyenya. Our warriors- Musikari Kombo, Bifwoli Wakoli, Noah Wekesa, Mukhisa Kituyi, Wafula Wamuniynyi, Moses Wetangula- had set out to go raiding. When they returned, just like W'Makinia before him, Omuengele had also slept never to wake right after preparing a MEAL for his cubs.
 

The Short Reign of W'Nasipwondi Kutalang`i

Yet again the people of Mulembe mourned. Litungu was consulted and he gave us Askari W'Nasipwondi the Katulang'i . It would be an understatement to say that "Katulang'i" by Wanjala waxes lyrical on why Musikari Kombo was picked to replace Wamalwa Kijana.

W`Mandari take make time to introduce Musikari Kombo. Vide the quintessentially Bukusu music rough high pitch tenor, the listener gets to meet Kombo WNasipwondi who now takes center stage. Kombo the rainmaker. The one who will be buried while seated. The son of Balunda clan.

Then Ford Kenya Chairman Musikari Kombo (right) flanked by Bifwoli Wakoli addresses a press conference. Photo courtesy Nation Media

This bit makes me jealous of Balunda clan and the way they introduce themselves. As Wangari Maathai said :

"You cannot enslave a mind that knows itself. That values itself. That understands itself." 

The Balunda have that something about themselves. They are the rain makers. Bury themselves while seated on thrones. The peacocks. They are showmen. Thinking of it, to be rainmaker (If Naija movies are anything to go by) you had to be able to pull put up a show. A Balunda man will proudly describe himself as Omusila Matakho, those without buttocks...but fool you not, he can easily steal your woman.

Such is their comfort in their being. Such is their gift in garb. Take Musikari Kombo for instance. Here is a man who will regale you with stories of his boyhood grazing cattle. I assure you that his version is nothing like you've heard from your parents or experienced. It's just that.

It won't be unbelievable, neither will it be easy to smell a lie in it. At times you will wonder why the story, but you wont drift off. You'll keep on listening. Think of it as ODM Sirisia parliamentary aspirant  the flamboyant Moses Nandalawe, Mr Money bags, became a short story. What would you make of the story? It is just that. The Balunda magic.  The Musikari Kombo version.

In "Katulang'i" Kombo is adorned with praise. He is asked to rise above petty politics and unite the community. Kombo is to bring back Nalulingo-Luhya pride."Katulang'i" implores on Mulembe nation to be like the foot and the footpath. To be like the bees: United.

"Kutalang`i" the War Song

As we had indicated earlier, "Katulang'i" is like supu ya mutura na bofulo. Things that shouldn't go together but do. It perfectly juxtaposes heart wrenching pain, that feeling of raring to go; anger and nostalgia. As we get to the climax by a change of tone the W`Mandari sets the stage to celebrate and charge Mulembe nation leaders.

Marvel at this mastery in execution: .

First, he starts off with his voice in minor Key, sounding beaten and dejected as he grieves Kijana Wamalwa and Masinde Muliro.

He then calls Wamalwa a Katulang'i (Lion King) "even when he slept, he is a lion."

" Masinde Muliro is also a lion even in his death, he is a lion! " He goes on.

"Kombo is a lion, taking the lead of the community, he is the big lion !"

" Mukhisa son of Kimilili is a lion!"

" Noah Wekesa of Kwanza is a lion! "

" Wamunyinyi of Kanduyi is a lion !"

" Wakoli of Bumula is a lion !"

" Newton Kulundu of Lurambi is a lion! "

He calls all other Luhya leader lions who are out hunting led by Kombo

"Katulang'i " is a great composition worthy of a treatment similar to that of the  Lion King. The question. It's a worthwhile production pregnant with message. The question remains, if Litungu were to speak to us the people of Mulembe again today, what would it say? Who would be the Katulang'i ?