SAFARI YA BAMBA / NIMERUDI - ORCHESTRATION BY NANCY DAY

Safari Ya Bamba / Nimerudi Originally Arr. by Dr A. Kemoli and David Okuku Zalo orchestral arrangement by Nancy Day.
Conducted By Brian O. Kepher
This piece is a fusion of two well-known Kenyan songs, orchestrated by Nancy Day, a musician, educator and former faculty member of the Kenya Conservatoire of Music. Safari ya Bamba is a folk tune of the Giriama people of the Mijikenda nation of Coastal Kenya (Kilifi County), often sung in the evening by children as they await food. The opening lyrics translate as; "the Journey to Bamba is tomorrow"; which reminded the community of tomorrow's responsibilities (they often travelled to Bamba; a locality for work-necessity). The journey (Safari) to Bamba required determination and stamina and was not easy to undertake. It was for those well prepared both mentally and physically. Bamba, a township 30KM North of Mariakani in Kilifi, dry, dusty and under-developed area by then resulting in one leaving early and returning home late if not past midnight, facing hardship and danger on the way.
"Nimerudu Shambani" was popularised by the Muungano Choir in the 80s and 90s. It sung from the perspective of a young man, facing hardship in the city (mjini) and appealing to his father to pass on a share of land to him - Baba, nipe shamba - so that he may leave city life behind and return home. The song directly challenges the popular idea that city life is a better and more prosperous one, presenting instead an idealised vision of peace and plenty in the village.