Kenread
Kenread
The song mwana wa mberi ni shikhoyalo is a traditional song that was composed by the wife of an elder of the Luyha community in Western Kenya. The original purpose of the song may have been as a tool in midwifery, to help birthing mothers during the pains of labour just before delivery. The original wording of the song highlights the joys of having a child, possibly to divert the mother's attention away from the pain of delivery.
The song's lyrics saw its singing being adapted to occasions other than child birth. The words began to take on a more poetic rather than literal meaning. It began being used as a victory song over difficult challenges. For example, William Ignosi Mwoshi, the man largely credited to popularizing the song outside the Luyha community, performed it at Kenya's Independence for Kenya's first president, Jomo Kenyatta, signifying victory over the colonialists rule.
In modern Kenya, Mwana wa mberi is no-longer a prerogative of the Luyha community. It has transcended its tribal origins and is sung in all kinds of occassions where victory or offering congratulatory messages after overcoming significant challenges is called for. It is common to hear it sung after political victories, or at sporting events, for example soccer and rugby, both at High School and National level events.
The commonly given translation of "mwana wa mberi ni shikhoyalo" to the "first born is an apron" is presumed to be a poetic interpretation of the word "apron" for "protector". Some people translate the phrase to "the first born son is a real joy", probably alluding to the original wording used in midwifery. "Apron", meaning "protector", is the more common inference of the song when sung in modern Kenya.
When performed as a more formal traditional dance rather than an informal victory anthem, mwana wa mberi is often sung to the Luyha Shiriri, a type of fiddle. This version on MP3, an instrumental version produced by the Kenread production team, is a more romanticized version of the melody, set to piano and piccolo. It is played at a somewhat slower speed than that it is normally sung at in order to bring out some of the harmonies on Western instruments that would be lost by playing it faster.
You can listen to a few seconds of the music by watching this short video on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZiDUkqPEQc
The full length music recording can be purchased via the link below.