Ayub Ogada - Obiero (live at Real World Studios)

Order or stream the album now: smarturl.it/RW42
Performed live in The Wood Room at Real World Studios in 1995, 'Obiero' is taken from Ayub's only album released on Real World Records, En Mana Kuoyo.
Since its initial release in 1993, En Mana Kuoyo has become the stuff of world music legend. The album's ten songs present a spacious, acoustic side of African music, one subtly imbued with modern sensibility. The production was ahead of its time in its simplicity, and it made a sharp contrast with the ever more elaborate, technically complex African music productions of its era.
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[@TedBoyRomarino]

This is not music, this is magic. I don’t even have words to describe the explosion of feelings it brings me.

[@elegw5072]

Yes this is magic

[@collinsa.6446]

Lailelei lai lala weuwee baba weweee [a chant] Lolololololoooo baba weweee [a chant] Obiero into in mwaywagoi e dalawa [Obiero you are the one we mourn for in our home] Obiero wanto wan ne waywagoi e dala, babaaa [Obiero we are the ones mourning for you in our home, father] Nyithindo neni gweng', baba ero rembgi to chwer [Children were in the village, but their blood was bleeding] Obila to oluwi ga bunde to ok idewo, babaee [Police followed you with guns, but you really didn't care] Ondiegi aboro ero oluwo ni ndara, ero nene rabet, mamawee [Eight hyenas followed you on the road, have a look at him, this great/big man!] A wuoi babaweee, a wuoi Mamaweee [Oh strong man! - in Luo wuoi is boy but can be used to refer to strong man] Ayubu yaye omwana [..moyo...mixed with some Luhya language]

[@theartofancientegyptianmet1747]

Thanks for the translation! Wow!

[@monicarter1250]

Such a sad song but beautiful.

[@cameronlemons5529]

Thank you!

[@Meditative_Walk]

Rest in peace, Ayub Ogada. May the vibrations of your tunes and voice spread across the cosmos... for they bring harmony.

[@elegw5072]

Que tristeza que murió..................

[@bpman57]

Ayub was such a unique talent. I saw him live at Peter Gabriel's World of Music and Dance (WOMAD) in the early 1990's. He was such a soft soul and you can tell here how much commitment he puts into performing. Totally focused in his musical expression. There is a short performance/ interview piece on KZbin where he says that when he performs he meditates deep into his soul, so his music is a gift from himself to the listener. I believe it. You are remembered Ayub sir. You live on in your recordings. 🎶❤

[@fernandocostoya9884]

Hello there! I'm writing an article dedicated to Ayub Ogada. I would like to send you an email with a few questions referred to that set. Will it be possible? Thanks

[@talloolahmoon]

❤️🌍

[@talloolahmoon]

@@fernandocostoya9884 would love to read it. Would you be able to share the link 🙏🏻

[@kirbzmom]

I'm sad i missed out on seeing hum live!! I was turned on to Yousou N'Dour by Peter Gabriel. I saw YN at the University of Chicago many many years ago. Both true talents!! ❤

[@davidbenston4259]

Got married to this song.

[@davidschwegman7539]

This song, and especially this version, is one of the most emotionally gripping pieces of artistic expression I've experienced in the last 50 years.

[@sunnys1917]

Only just learned of his passing. Tears in my eyes; this song truly warms my soul. Even though I do not understand the language, the universal sound and feelings come through. Goodbye, Ayub.

[@BookNexus]

That's "Luo dialect" spoken by the Luo tribe of Kenya (Obama senior included). A very rich and diverse language.

[@boadicea5856]

I don’t know what your beliefs are, however we will see Ayub again. The essence of a person does not die-just the body. And Im sure he is still playing his beautiful music.

[@antoinettehalberstadt7530]

oh nooooooo! But hia gift continues to flow

[@Fak3guru]

​@@BookNexus any idea about the lyrics?

[@kirbzmom]

The lyrics of Ayub Ogada's Obiero may seem simple at first glance, but there's a deeper meaning behind it. In this song, Ayub Ogada sings about his hometown, Ugenya, a place located in western Kenya. The lines "Oooh mam' uwinja, Koth biro, Keluru dhok e dala" refer to the different parts of Ugenya. Mam' uwinja refers to the town center, Koth biro is a village on the outskirts of town, and Keluru dhok e dala means "going down to the village." Through the lyrics, Ayub Ogada is expressing his love and nostalgia for his hometown. He misses the simple life, the natural beauty and the people there. He reminisces about the time he spent with family and friends, and how different everything was compared to the city. The repetition of "hay hay hay" serves to emphasize the longing and emotion that Ayub Ogada feels towards his hometown. Overall, Obiero is a song that speaks to the universality of longing for home and the roots that come with it. It talks about the sounds, smells and sights that make up Ugenya, and how these small things have a profound impact on us.

[@kirbzmom]

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.

[@victorvandyke9898]

There have been many copies of this song, this will always be the first and the best. RIP.

[@JeremiahKirwa-qg2ug]

This melodious song with a well composed sounds makes me to really realize my nativity as an African.May his soul rest in eternal peace

[@obedientostrich811]

A true legend and world music pioneer from my country will be greatly missed. RIP son of the soil.

[@kellysturgeon6727]

This was magical. Ayub is in my top 5 African performers. I could listen for days.

[@finepath]

Dear Ayub, you have left us with such love and beauty, your legacy is eternal.

[@PaulArena75]

Pure soul. Such a sweet sound, touches right into the heart. It's a s if this song calls to you no matter who you are or where you came from.

[@bobbmuchemi4420]

Rest in peace Ogada because your tunes bring peace!

[@viksra]

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

[@courage442]

💔💔💔💔

[@samuelikonallaholokpo9063]

This is the first I meet you...I Love you brother!🇳🇬🙏🏾😇🌈

[@victordali2404]

RIP Ayub Ogada. Your music lives on.

[@dearydarling]

Oh dear ... i just googled to find more Kenyan music and was recommended this ... how sad such an amazing voice is now at rest ... i'm grateful i can at least share his spirit in his music

[@theartofancientegyptianmet1747]

A Living Divinity singing a message from the Higher Planes of Wisdom-Songs of Life!

[@marianjones6193]

This is pretty special music to my ears. It elevated my spirit in a way like non other. I really need more. This artist made his mark and I'm so thankful that I was able to be a recipient of the joy that he shared through his gifted artistry. Ron Jones.

[@jayherring3227]

The most beautiful music. Thank you

[@EDGEHILLBBKE]

This is Luo connection spirit, I agree with some of you here, the feeling is so natural

[@williheld8526]

Emotional and very warm Voice

[@obuyacharles8839]

rip wuod kababa ...who wont love your lively music ....🎉🎉❤

[@patriciacox4795]

One of my favorite Real World artists. He’s extraordinary.

[@alevkaygusuz]

wow how beautiful thank you and rest in peace

[@ywayaxavier938]

Ruoth, one day I'll bring you back to life❤

[@fatihdemirhan6670]

Simple, extraordinary and beautiful music.

[@simoneverdini3533]

Grazie maestoso leone, la tua musica viene da lontano, ha tratti sacri e ancestrali, è evocativa e profonda come il cielo africano. Addio maestro, che il cielo riconosca la tua grandezza e il peregrinar ti sia lieve.

[@JohannLatimer-zb8lz]

May peace meet you in rest.

[@federicosuden274]

¡Impresionante! No hay un adjetivo en si, que describa totalmente a este músico. Es de otro planeta.

[@cpoli2051]

I have now seen this video like five times every day for over two weeks!!

[@datnikkawoke556]

Amazing. Rest in Peace

[@thenomadicpen]

So good! I've loved this song and the album it's on since it was new. Ayub's The Stuff.

[@anoopkr508]

I didn't understand the language used in the song but I can feel the sounds of the ankle bells, the musical instrument and the words coming out. Made me understand the depth and meaning of the song.

[@collinsa.6446]

This is a LUO dialect from Western Kenya, former Nyanza province. So, here, Ayub seems to lament for the passing of someone called Obiero (wanto wayuagi e dalawa - we cry for you at our home ) . Seems he was his father (obila luwi gi bunde - police trailed you with a gun) who died

[@katejudson8907]

In the album sleeve from Real World it says this song is a dedication to his brother.

[@caesarya3408]

thank you so much for this beautiful piece of music 😘😘😘

[@Humormonger]

Remarkable guy. Saw him at WOMAD and then at the Seattle International Children’s Festival.

[@andresnavarro397]

Maravilloso.....thank you very much Ayub Ogada..... :)

[@velmaodero6921]

Beautiful songs. RIP

[@nightotter]

Very sorry to hear about the passing of Job Seda. Such powerful music, which will live on.

[@alextaborri1406]

Ayub...il cuore non ha confini...come la tua immensa e bellissima anima Africana. W mama Africa!!!

[@kennak5727]

Rest in peace my friend .

[@wtlloyd6039]

I've listened to the album hundreds of times, always wondering why he doesn't have more recordings.

[@gaftheweepinghorse]

He does have one more, it turns out his last unfortunately..Kodhi, released 2015 on Long Tale Recordings

[@eastzooadmin6416]

What's the name of the album bro ?

[@Nawyria]

There is actually more. Trevor Warren, who collaborated with Mr Ogada, released a 2-CD album in 2019 from unused recordings. It's titled "Omera: The Further Adventures of Trevor Warren with Ayub Ogada"

[@FredNdaga]

This is really nice, sounds like a blend of Luo and another dialect that I'm struggling to put my finger on. Nind gi kwe wuod Luo

[@sanctusignis9746]

Amen

[@AbstractSurrealist]

All of it are just dholuo though he sings it possessively

[@miriamogwel3452]

It's very hard to follow as a Luo and he's not pronouncing as a regular Luo would.Theres certainly a dialect.

[@oltimer8600]

​@@miriamogwel3452 I'm also a Kenyan Luo and completely agree with your comment.

[@KannonFreeman]

My mentor... Amazing man with beautiful music!

[@nezamcagg1133]

Love love love....Ayub is love.....say no more..

[@julianasabina1882]

So beautiful

[@kenya_politics]

This is inspiring, came looking for it after watching Kipchoge, The last mile. Leave a like ❤

[@Comokena]

EXTRAORDINARIO!!!,,,El aporte a la Cultura de Peter es invalorable!!

[@EEEMUS]

AMAZING~~||!! My favourite song of the year~~|!!!

[@danieljidenna98]

Ogada's are great

[@fernandodelgado1680]

Que lastima se nos fue este gran cantante este tema obiero me alegraba el corazon

[@geoffreyongaka2991]

Sing with the Angels now...

[@Dragonflytap]

Beautiful!!

[@mamysue]

Maravilloso! Tantos años oyéndolo 🤗

[@susanjoseph173]

Rest in peace legend. Your legacy will live on

[@juliorobertotafuni7112]

Es hermosa su música 🎶...tranquila...suave...con amor a la naturaleza..y a su gente...AFRICA...CUNA SW NACIONES ...DESDE ARGENTINA..SALUDOS

[@radiohuru8768]

rest in peace ayub ogada

[@davidfederspiel431]

He reminds me vocally of Gordon light foot, one of Canadas musical treasures also

[@jameshinton3855]

RIP, what a beautiful sound

[@MkenyaMarekaniTV]

Legendary

[@africancat581]

his most beautiful track is 'Kothbiro'. in live in kenya since 2021 and came accross Kothbiro. i knew it sounded familiar but did not know from when or where until i just saw a comment under that song: it was from the really good move The Constant Gardener.

[@emilytalley3687]

Amazing recording.

[@michaelyurcho4649]

Yueyo a kuwe maduong kuwe. 😢

[@tonygibson8524]

Just found out about his death today. Was privileged to see and hear him many years ago

[@patm5165]

Fantastic!!!

[@eurooscar1]

Excellent!

[@gombezdave4225]

Wow 👌🏽 👏 🎉🎉🎉

[@carolinelindstrom3960]

Haunting and gorgeous

[@victorvandyke9898]

Just awsum!

[@annakishoriahlam]

A great great artist

[@veraluzquantum9493]

MARAVILHOSO....

[@TheSeventhLotus]

Love Love Love

[@okotcukumoi9121]

Masterpiece!

[@annakishoriahlam]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@icarojamess]

Simplesmente maravilhoso

[@georgeoluoch2363]

My soul is sad...Ayub died before watched him sing.

[@11nat]

❤RIP 💛🥺

[@ProgshineNet]

I have no idea if he knew Ayub's music. But a few songs from Grace, first and only album by Jeff Buckley, have tons of similar melodies to the one in Obiero :)

[@marinanononsense]

😊❤

[@pazmoy]

🙌

[@jenilsonferraz4154]

🙏

[@delicateapparatusofficial931]

💚🌎💚

[@Fak3guru]

Whats tthe name of that instrument he plays by hitting his feet thumb to the ground while pulling those tiny bells? I love it. So simple and complex at the same time

[@skyclarking-123]

Love this beautiful music. What is "Obiero"?

[@kiswahilikitukuzwe2547]

Obiero is a Luo person's name (male). A female version of the name is Abiero. There is a famous female Japanese nyatiti player who was given a Luo name by her nyatiti teacher (Okumu K'Orengo). Her name is Anyango (Eriko Mukoyama). For a boy the name would be Onyango.

[@maryowino9403]

A name in luo. He is seeing about a great man called obiero.

[@katejudson8907]

On the Real world album sleeve it says this is a dedication to his brother.

[@AbstractSurrealist]

Biero in Dholuo language is placenta. So all boy and girl child who were born then there mothers' suffered the complications to do with "placenta" were named Obiero ( if they were boys ) and Abiero (if they were girls) . So Obiero he is singing is in memory of some great Obiero who died mercilessly

[@maryamor4672]

😍👍👍👍💖💖💖

[@fee4444]

🌹

[@dastonamichaels1854]

Osiep

[@davidfederspiel431]

Does any have a translation of his lyric??

[@Dray7777]

Can anyone tell me what he is saying in English

[@kiswahilikitukuzwe2547]

It's a mourning song. Obiero is a man's (or boy's) name.

[@antoniaalexandre895]

maravilha

[@AlessandroAchilliMusicaeSpazio]

Non musica ma magia antica

[@adambrodowski7611]

1

[@gregdahlen4375]

unusual shape nose

[@yelassinacoulibaly819]

🌈❤️🌈❤️🌈❤️🍀💐

[@almamente3619]

¿Como se llama el instrumento?

[@OmoAdeolu]

Nyatiti

[@oscarsaguache8065]

I would like to know the meaning... anyone love it ...

[@pirwothart3547]

A unique version of this enchanting song, from the album Plus From Us (Real World Studios, 1993) ~ kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGHIf3SgfaplitU En Mane Kuoyo (Just Sand) [album version] ~ kzbin.info/www/bejne/mXeUlH-dpp5laNk African Angels [compilation version] ~ kzbin.info/www/bejne/p37cfHRrorqbfsU Live version [with Nederlands Blazers Ensemble] ~ kzbin.info/www/bejne/pmezeaiQbcipeas LYRICS and EXPLANATION ~ courtesy of John Lawrence [KENYAN] Lai lala lai lai Mamaa weueeeee lololololoooo loloeee Lai lala lai lai Mamaa weueeeee lololololoooo loloeee Obiero wa yuagoi e dala baba Obiero wanto wan wayuogoi e dala e babaee Nyithindo onego ni gwen yaye rembgi to chwer Nyithindo onego ni gwen baba ero rembgi to chwer Obila to luwi ga gi bunde to ok-idew Obila luwi ga gi bunde to ok-idew baba Ondiegi aboro ero oluwo ni ndara nene rabet baba Ondiege aboro ero oluwo ni ndara nene rabet mama ooyee baba hoyeee ahuoyeee baba hoyeee [ENGLISH] We here at home mourn you Obiero The Children have slaughtered chicken in your respect The Armed Police Officers came after you but you did not care A total of eight hyenas came on the same route as you the brave one EXPLANATION: "When I interviewed Ayub last year he told me that he composed 'Obiero' in respect to his brother who was murdered by cops in South B estate, Nairobi during their childhood. Obiero, his brother, was a heavily built brave young man (rabet) who had no fear for anyone or anything. Many a time heavily armed cops hunted him down after he refused to bribe them." "Ayub narrated that his brother used to run a Matatu (PSV) business in Nairobi but he was murdered in cold blood by cowards who were simply after the departed's wealth." BIO: Ayub Ogada is a musician, and one of the Luo people of Western Kenya. He was born in Mombasa. He performs on the traditional east African stringed lyre, the nyatiti, and is a highly accomplished djembe player. Ogada was approached and asked to play at Peter Gabriel's WOMAD festival. In 1993, he was invited to Gabriel's Real World Studios, where he recorded his first album, En Mane Kuoyo (Just Sand). He continues to tour extensively with WOMAD. Ogada co-founded the African Heritage Band in 1979 and played kit drums, bass and percussion for many years before departing for London, England, where he initially occasionally busked London streets, singing accompanied by nyatiti and leg rattle or ankle bells. ~ ~ ~ THE OPUS MARCUS PODCAST: kzbin.info?list...

[@Shamanator]

@@pirwothart3547 thank you for posting this explanation!

[@YoniSteam]

@@pirwothart3547 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@victorvandyke9898]

Wow you mentioned every country in Africa where I don't want to live. I am from Africa and am ready to retire with money. Sorry nowhere in Africa meets my requests

[@AbstractSurrealist]

You are sick