Wuod Owiti - William Jamwaka & Opiyo Bw Emma

All Kenyans born before 1988 must have heard some mention of RIVATEX (Rift Valley Textile Factory, located in Eldoret) This was actually the most vibrant garment and clothing factory in East Africa before the arrival of Mitumba - (Second clothes arriving from North Atlantic Zones)
Likewise many must have heard of the Late Odera Kangó (Former traditional Colonial Chief , believed to have been born around 1870, in Gem, Malanga, Siaya County and murdered by the British Colonizers while in Prison in Kismayu, British Somaliland, around 1949.
His arrest had to do with him imprisoning a white British colonizer who waded into the villages without authorization letter from the Colonial governor).
What do Odera Kangó, RIVATEX and this music have in common?
Well, the answer lies in the long-run results of the compulsory academic achievement policy imposed on the North Nyanza region by the then Chief Odera Kangó.
Odera’s MUST HAVE academic policy sent all men and many women above 13 years to school forcefully.
The topic is a bit longer and complex so I’ll hope we bring it up in the next future.
Whether this would be co-relatable for many viewers, is a matter of the various interpretations of the verse.
This academic policy adopted by a black colonial subject at a time when the infrastructure for any form of modern day operations was next to non-existent echoed so well in many parts of Nyanza. It led to the emergence of many of the pioneer black Kenyan corporate era professionals like lawyers, engineers, teachers, accountants, e.t.c. , and the first wave of non-slave black Kenyan diaspora in the West!
One of the long-run beneficiaries of such policy was a man who the song is praising.
His name Martin Amungo Owiti, who was Logistics Manager at the RIVATEX in 1980s.
His professional achievements were quite remarkable.
The man behind the Song, Mr. William Ochieng’ Jamwaka, eventually quit music in late 1980s, went into farming, is believed to have later joined the corporate market himself or may be going abroad. Whether he is still alive today, I remain to hear. His musical abilities however, I can endorse at first hand right here.
Well, Ochieng wuod gi Lorna Jamwika, as he was nicknamed by his peers made this song at the Opiyo Emma & Brother Charley’s Victoria Jazz Kings, in the company of;
Opiyo Bw Emma, William K Jamwaka , Odongo Khalifa Yele, Owich Tony Janyaranga, Awil Kamusa, Onyango OregoRego Japala, Ajuma Já Gongo, Rich wuod Abandu, Jaji wuod gi Sara, Maulidi Dilunga, Brother Charley, Obote wuod min Anyango Odanga Nyamangura, Owigo wuodgi Abeth Jakabwana and Zacharia Agola.
Recent researches in Neuro-Science have proved beyond any level of doubts, the elastic capacity of human brain. Most of the lower and upper social limits that we live within are our own self-made prisons. We can always move further and achieve more than our socially presumed upper limits, in all fields. A farmer can be a former or future medical doctor, musician, engineer or even a stock exchange specialist depending on what he ventures into.
We are all our makers, make me king or let me do it myself.
Peace be with you all!

[@OkwatchOmoro]

Wow! Benga at its best. 👏

[@collectorlp100vinyl.5]

Good music👍

[@Jamigori1]

them good old days!

[@caroakinyi8918]

Great research Jamigori

[@Jamigori1]

Enjoy it Caro.

[@OkwatchOmoro]

Now I understand where Sammy Kazee got his climax of "Selly nyar gi Ken e ngimana mama"

[@Jamigori1]

Hahahha, Okwatch Omera, these guys were great. Sammy and Selly however were never original and did some lower jab on the original creators. Anyway, life is like that.

[@asheru9254]

Hey guys why's this kind of music not being constantly in our radios? All we get some computerize piano music that's difficult to listen and enjoy! 🤦‍♂️

[@OkwatchOmoro]

@@asheru9254 It is because we are quickly forgetting our roots. Benga is slowly dying

[@asheru9254]

@@OkwatchOmoro we should urge the luo patriarch to open a museum to save this music

[@OkwatchOmoro]

@@asheru9254 I agree. Right now, the only place you can find some is at Jojo Records Nairobi.

[@bobeaartcentrekenya]

I only understand the beats!! May I know what the message behind this good music!

[@Jamigori1]

He's praising achievements of the fellow who was the Logistics Boss at the then vibrant RIVATEX Ltd, and as well the technology that they developed for turning the cotton into thread and then thread into body covers e.t.c

[@bobeaartcentrekenya]

Absolutely amazing... Thank you so much!

[@johnodhiambo8403]

Which year was this?

[@Jamigori1]

mid 1984

[@wilberforcenyongesa1280]

@@Jamigori1 correct

[@wilberforcenyongesa1280]

1984

[@wilberforcenyongesa1280]

1984