Africa Knows » girl

The Budding Photographer

Joshua Wanyama — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 09:00:57 +0000

A young girl concentrates on taking a photo.

From the River

Erik Ness — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 09:00:52 +0000

A girl leads some Ankole cows from a community watering hole in rural Rwanda.

When Will the Bus Arrive?

Joshua Wanyama — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 09:00:43 +0000

Commuters along Nairobi’s busy Thika Road await for buses and matatus. The dusty Thika Road has been under construction for more than a year.

Joyous Embrace

Joshua Wanyama — Fri, 28 May 2010 13:48:39 +0000

A six month old Anaya enjoys an afternoon outing.

Wheelbarrow Ride

Joshua Wanyama — Thu, 20 May 2010 09:00:31 +0000

Children take turns to carry each other on a wheelbarrow in Buruburu estate in Nairobi.

Smiling Beauty

Joshua Wanyama — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 14:00:03 +0000

Ruth poses for a photo in Ngong in the outskirts of Nairobi.

A Calming Spirit

Joshua Wanyama — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 14:00:43 +0000

A quiet Caroline poses for a portrait photo.

From the Market

Joshua Wanyama — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 02:00:45 +0000

A girl pushes her bicycle on the way from a roadside market near Naivasha, Kenya.

I Run to You

Joshua Wanyama — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 02:01:08 +0000

A girl runs into the arms of her father.

Tomatoes and Onions

Joshua Wanyama — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 02:03:35 +0000

A young woman sells tomatoes and onions at an outdoor market in Maili Tisa near Eldoret Town.

The Skeptic

Joshua Wanyama — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:00:17 +0000

A girl at a market in Maili Tisi on the outskirts of Eldoret Town.

Congo Girl

Joshua Wanyama — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 02:01:36 +0000

CONGOLESE BANDS IN EAST AFRICA

The 1970s through mid-80s was the era of Congolese expatriate bands in Nairobi: groups like Boma Liwanza of Shango Lola, Les Kinois of Samba Mapangala, Super Mazembe of Longwa Didos, and Les Mangelepa of Bwammy wa Lumwona (who had come East with Baba Gaston and Baba National). Those from North-East Congo came to Kampala, Uganda; those from Shaba in the South came to Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, but sooner or later they headed to Nairobi for the recording studios there. In 1985 the Kenyan government under Daniel Arap Moi cracked down on expatriate bands and groups like Les Mangelepa were forced to leave or disband.

There are many popular recordings of Congolese rhumba, sung in Lingala, like the album les Noirs by Bana Moja / Bana Ngenge , which opens in English with a salute to Kenyan fans and a “Viva Mobutu” and “Viva Kenyatta.” This would make them one of the first Congolese bands to hit Kenya, probably in the mid-70s.

Photo Credit: Suzie poses for a photograph.