Tell The Nations 7: My autobiography I worked on for over 15 years, came off the press last July. Here, I write of my background and my world view.
Tell The Nations
Tell The Nations (7)
CHAPTER 4
SAKILA SONGS
In African proverb says “Wimbo huja ngomani.” Direct translation “A song comes while dancers are dancing.” This means that: Move on, and face whatever, you will find out what to do on the scene.A This African slogan comes out of experience. From African point of view, singing shouldn’t come out of proper preparations, song books… brochures…But should be born out of dancing activities.
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Singing spontaneously is the way of life, in terms of African creed and culture.
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Sakila singers danced and sang spontaneously when I was growing up. They didn’t practice their dances or their songs ahead of time. They were not actors or actresses. Whatever they did, they performed from the bottom of their hearts. They sang songs born out of feelings and experiences of what happened, and of what was going to take place. All the songs were story-telling songs. Songs were unwritten songs, and, singers were to sing with no instruments or song books.There were songs telling that warriors were back with the cattle: The cattle that were stolen by Maasai warriors, and be brought back by Meru warriors. Other songs would be about, weddings, warnings, wars, ethics.
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Apart from these, there were songs, which were not after serious issues. These were the songs to be sung basically for fun. One which was famous in those days goes;”… Kyikombe kya shai – Nsero…!” ”Kyikombe kya shai – Sambura…! (A cup of tea…guy! A cup of tea…girl! ).
Most of their songs were rhythmic syncopated songs. There was no need of pens or papers. Men and women danced and sang spontaneously.
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Contrary to western entertainers, singers didn’t sing for money. They sang for pleasure: Not for business.
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Sakila Hill is the trade mark of the village: The village name: Sakila is from the warrior who was speared and died on the slopes the hill: Sakila. Our ancestors tell the story of how he arrived from some where east with his army and confronted the army of the enemy on the foot of the hill. Here they fought and when he died, the rest of his army ran to settle on the slopes of mount. Meru.
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I was a cattle herder of my father until at the age of eight years when I started my bush school then standard one in the same year.
After four years of my Primary school education I was selected as one of five who passed their examination to start: Middle School at Makumira Middle School. While at Makumira I dreamed of being somebody and of doing things, but not at my place of birth: Sakila. Little did I know that God had plans for me to start: From Sakila to the nations – The nations of the Universe. Whatever I do around the World today the genesis is from my place of birth: Sakila. Paradoxically: Here is where I began to preach – teach – instruct – lead and acquire heart of preaching, counselling, travelling….
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Sakila is one of over 85 registered villages of Meru-land in the northern part of Tanzania. There are villagers who still call the village – Ulukusare. The name came from Maasai warrior, Lekusare, who declared the war against Meru people – Wameru, better known as `Varwa.` who speaks `Kirwa.` He walked from Leguruki to Momella area and slaughtered an oxen before the fight. But Wameru warriors emerged in the bush and fought his army before they were ready. Lekusare was injured one of his feet after he was speared by the warrior known as: Kishong`u. He walked miserably back to where he came.
Here is where I was born and raised – Here is where I started the school – Here is where I took care of my father`s cattle. Yes. Here is where I was called to start my mission: Sakila was as my universe. Yes! My World view before I knew the World.
