Orchestre Les Mangelepa - Malawi Zikama - LIVE at Afrikafestival Hertme 2016

Performance 3 July 2016
Originally from the Swahili-speaking part of Eastern Congo, Les Mangelepa have released more than 13 albums and penned some of East Africa’s best-loved songs. The band was formed as an offshoot of Orchestre Baba National of Baba Gaston, which first arrived in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania in 1972 and soon started recording with the Tanzania Film Company and another label called Sindimba. In 1973 they boarded an OTC bus to Nairobi to record.
Once in the Kenyan capital, after playing for some time with Baba Gaston at the Inn on the Park restaurant at Uhuru Park and composing 'Kakolele Viva Christmas', the talented youngsters abandoned their mentor and formed Orchestre Les Mangelepa in 1976. Their name comes from 'Mangelepa', a dance that had been invented by founding member Kabanze Evany while still in Gaston's band.
The group's growing popularity in Kenya attracted other Congolese bands and before long there was cut-throat competition in Nairobi between Les Mangelepa, Les Kinois, Super Mazembe, and Viva Makale. Their ongoing success is testament to the influence of Congolese music on Kenya’s music scene, particularly in terms of. They were at the centre of the East Africa Rumba sound, in contrast to the Congolese soukous that dominated African pop music in the 1980s and 90s.
Orchestre Les Mangelepa have thrilled fans throughout the region - including Zambia, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania - by churning out hits such as ‘Embakasi’, ‘Maindusa’, ‘Walter’ and ‘Safari ya Mangelepa’. Their brilliant arrangements and superbly crafted songs have kept legions dancing to their beat, aided by guitars, brass and vocal harmonies.

[@clementkivegalo2604]

What a moment to see these elders play music of such a quality!

[@chishidesert9900]

Great blessing to see our grandpas singing up to now thanks for such a talented display

[@patrickkamutya7847]

I feel so comfortable with this old music

[@seifsaid845]

proud of you wazee wangu, taking us somewhere.. my second time am watching this and a 3rd year KENYA IMARA

[@UnityEfadue]

These men are great musicians with gifted talent.

[@bw3933]

I salute these great fellas for maintaing their cool voices for over 40 years

[@KRISPOOLS]

I love you guys .. Chris Ogbonna from BIAFRAN LAND

[@jkf3577]

Great music. Just great!

[@Juluka69]

Amazing how nice these songs still sound over 30yrs after original release , everlasting classics no doubt, chafua chafuaaaaa

[@alexkhoza6022]

I remember my old days

[@chishidesert9900]

Wow giving them a million like is profitable nice talent

[@pirimitifootballacademy5306]

Thank you for visiting Malawi Les Mangelepa🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@iyep]

Wonderful, bug up to Hertme festival. I was there last summer for the first time and I will be back next year for sure !

[@alfredomonya]

Good music and

[@janekuria7688]

So beautiful

[@santiagorey1722]

beforehand cordial greetings to my brothers afrikafestival I say that the mother country of Latin America is africa aqunque in some Caribbean countries speak Spanish our customs are African from music to religion is why I like to meet some organizer its important event to show his audience the endless African expressions have Expero Venezuela to take into account this humble servant and would like to share with some of our music ashe really thanks to eshu

[@ndolowilly8381]

This was real music

[@nelsonmwachisama4168]

My favorite music

[@EliudKithinji]

🎉❤

[@samuelyaa6029]

Long live

[@antoshade3551]

amazing music, love it.

[@austinomudeck505]

Moto sana

[@PAMTOND0]

It is Malawi Zikomo (Thank you Malawi) Not zikAma.

[@Vico649]

I wish Bwami couldve played the lead guitar at this concert.

[@Vico649]

The title of the song is 'Zikomo Malawi' which translates to 'Thank you Malawi' in Chichewa which is spoken in Malawi. I think the song chronicles their travels in central and east Africa. Someone please translate the Lingala part.

[@bchilenje]

I attended their amazing show in Malawi at Chancellor College in November 1979. These are the guys who introduced me to Rhumba.

[@Telatv20]

Is this team alive ? Please let me know !

[@Zamaninasasa]

I believe so. I don't know if they have a Wikipedia page. It may list some facts about them. The group is Mangelepa

[@NewsZaWakenya]

any contacts to trace any individual in t he group please share

[@Marie-g7t8i]

They apparently still play in club vibro, Nairobi

[@najmasaleh9231]

Any one knows translation of that song plz give us

[@janekuria7688]

I would like to know as well

[@jamesoluoch1836]

@@janekuria7688 , Orch. Les Mangelepa originally did this song during an African tour that took them to Zaire, Zambia ending up in Malawi . They recorded a Live album in a town called Zikomo which the song is titled. Zikomo is in Malawi and they generally sing about their trip along the river Congo and overflying Lake victoria ending up in Malawi . They praise the good people especially of Zikomo who came out to listen to them. The last part where the singer dialogues with the guitar i sin Swahili and he generally greets all who showed up, the young ones, the old ones, the bald ones ...etc. Enjoy the everlasting sounds of Mangelepa. You can catch the original studio version on thei album "Chafua Chafua" that also has the song SAAD which you can find here, enjoy. At 5:56 Evani says "Kuriwanji and the return chant is "kuriwino" , that is the Malawi and Zambian greetings.

[@jamesoluoch1836]

Given below

[@Vico649]

@@jamesoluoch1836 "Mulibwanji?" "Tilibwino." = How are you? ...We are fine. "Zikomo" means thank you in Chichewa and Chinyanja languages which are both spoken in Zambia and Malawi. It's not a town in Malawi. "Zikomo Malawi"= Thank you Malawi in Chichewa.

[@limbanimagomero6588]

@@jamesoluoch1836 There's no town called Zikomo in Malawi. The song is titled "I love Malawi," meaning thank you Malawi. It was sang as a tribute to the people of Malawi when the band visited. "Muli bwanji?" Means "how are you?" "Tiri bwino!" Means "we are fine." They also made a recording of the song in the country during that visit.

[@mauricekumenda5123]

You