From FOSS to BAKE : Open Source Software and a Bloggers Association

Last Saturday 17th September was the much anticipated #POWOSept at Nairobi’s Tech hub. The event comes every 2nd month on the 3rd Saturday and it aimed at encouraging creative writers and budding bloggers to go online and use the internet as the publish platform.

Wanjiku Mwaurah performing to the POWO audience

 The event this month was focusing on Free and Open Source Software(FOSS) as well as a presentation on the Bloggers Association of Kenya.

To give the talk on FOSS was Alex Gakuru a man who wears man hats but most importantly, one who believes that FOSS is the future for Africa.

The event started shortly after 11.30 with a few poetry videos from Kanye West, Common and KRS 1.The MC for the day, Ndanu, who went on to introduce the feature poet, Wanjiku Mwaura.

A truly talented young lady, Wanjiku performed some of her pieces that are both entertaining and though provoking with poems such as Vocally bold, Continental and the ever fresh ‘I just don’t like you’ among others.

Alex Gakuru & Kachwanya taking questions

Next was Alex Gakuru who started off by mentioning many untapped opportunities as well as the immense resources available. As he put it ” There’s so much creativity in Kenya that has not been tapped”. He gave an example of Avatar in which, one Kenyan Artist was involved in the making. He confirmed that the Kenyan Government had set up a task force to help develop local content as well as create market for it both online and offline. With the move to digital broadcasting, there will be a huge demand for content and CCK will require all stations to have atleast 40% local content.

 Sourceforge.net is the main source of free and open source software. He delved into what was driving more and more countries towards FOSS. Excessive Capitalism became a global crisis in the rest of the world except in China. He described Open Source as being more communist in style. He also likened it to use of Mathematical formulas where one does not pay a license every time they apply a certain formula to their calculations.

 He informed the POWO audience that he had just come from a COMESA conference in which 12 recommendations were adopted on FOSS On Open Source operating systems, he stated that there are many though the most popular is Linux which in turn has many variants e.g Ubuntu, Redhat, Sues. One can the code but they are obligated to release it(code) to others.

Open Source softwares are usually free to download and one only needs to worry about bandwidth and storage. Android is an example of Open Source software.

 Sudan have modified it to a localized version which included local languages and renamed it to Nildroid. 70% of users online are usually looking for local content thus, it is wise for us to develop blogs, websites and even local applications to serve this need.

After Gakuru’s insightful presentation was Kachwanya the chair of Bloggers Association of Kenya (BAKE) Kachwanya started off on a light note making fun of those who leave FB to twitter and then refer to it as MKZ(Mukuru Kwa Zuckerberg)

BAKE is an online community based association that seeks to syndicate bloggers content, create networks among bloggers, get legal and communal representation. Before starting his presentation. He challenged the audience on the variety of content on Kenyan Blogs.
There are no agricultural, fisheries or livestock bloggers.

Content: Kenyan bloggers are the highest producers of local content

Traffic: By joining BAKE, bloggers will gain the critical mass required by most advertisers.

Engagement: ability to engage ones readers both online and offline via twitter, facebook and events

 Kachwanya’s enlightening presentation gave way to a Q&A session. Some of the interesting questions posed to Gakuru and Kachwanya were; is BAKE likely to become another CCK to which Kachwanya clarified that BAKE will not seek to monitor or even dictate what or how bloggers write but he also clarified that there will be terms and conditions to be met before one can become a member.
POWO attendees also wanted to find out why the cost of a .co.ke domain remains so expensive.

As the Q&A session came to an end, Alex informed the crowd that there would be an Internet Governance forum starting 27th Sept.

After the morning session, Wanjiku offered an entertaining break with more of her poetry leading to the afternoon session which was a training workshop.

The following topics were covered during training workshop

 Kachwanya
 – How to generate revenue from Blogging
– Registering a domain and choosing a host
– Migrating from BlogSpot to wordpress or to own website
@kachwanya 

Richard Wanjohi 
– Using and interpreting analytics
– SEO and enlisting on aggregator sites
@rwanjohi

Mwirigi 
– Starting a blog on wordpress
– Uploading text, photos,
– Embedding Videos, audio
– Creating twitter and FB accounts
– Anonymous blogging
@mwirigi

Njeri Wangari 
– Creating a podcast
– Uploading and marketing a podcast
– Increasing traffic to ones site
– Creating an account on youtube
– Uploading videos
– Creating an own channel
@kenyanpoet

The event came to an end at 3.30pm. We thank all those who attended. The next meetup which will be the last one for this year will be on 19th Nov at the same venue. See you for POWONov.

(Check back for a slide show with more photos)

Album Review- Mwanamuziki (Child of Music)

ALBUM REVIEW- MWANAMUZIKI (CHILD OF MUSIC) by ANNIESOUL

AnnieSoul

 She is a student ofmusic at the famous Berklee college of music (yes where Eric Wainaina was also).Her first recollection of a performance was when she was two years old. Herenchantment with the piano mesmerizes me and her prowess at it makes me want todance just at the thought of it.

 The album starts withan intro prayer asking God for guidance and direction, for the things that sheintends to pursue and slows to an introduction of her name ‘Annie Soul’

‘Mwanamuziki’, a mix of Swahili and English flow introducesher to the audience with a sense of the African queen and patriotism infused inthe lyrics. I like the humming harmonization that is done in the better partsof the track. Like a child needing nurturing, I’ll be your child Mwanamuziki.

“Tabasamu” (translated as smile) is a song I would like tobe dedicated for anytime of the year especially with the cold that July brings.It arouses a feel of Sade’s style of singing in the solder of love. Theacoustic flow,  slow expressions and theintonation of the various lines as the music progresses draws you into likingthe background repetition of the word tabasamu. …wanipa thamani, you give memeaning.

“The floor” is a sweet slow hand in hand danceable that getsits definition from the Neo soul backing of the likes of Vivian Green. Itexpresses a need of wanting the past to be repeated again.  it felt as though sung by a girl clinging ontoa dead relationship hopping it will go back to the honeymoon phase  when they used to dance in love.

The sixth track ‘release me’ is a song that I relate to inso many ways (in terms of my BMX bicycle). We still hold on to people who leftages ago, when we think we have moved on something triggers the memory of themand the only thing we can say is, please release me. This is a song about theend of her relationship two years ago which she still re-lives as though onrewind triggered by a slow song. The song is slow and has a jazzy feel to itthough the disappointing part is that it ended in a feel of hopelessness.

A prose in the middle of the album is what embraced me inthe eleventh track, “D.U.I” [driving under the influence] a performance about a‘High’ driver running away from the police after an intoxication escapade. As apoet the story is good but there is a bit of a discord in the story’s beginningand its subsequent story line.  This isnot the only poem in the album, track 14 “T.D.Y.B.M.H” [the day you broke myheart] is also a performance that would be awesome if not for the musicalbacking that it was given.

My favorite track is track 12 that got my head bumping andmy fingers snapping with a nice feel of the early 90s when Missy Elliot was rulingthe music scene, when there were skits and verbal interchange in the middle ofthe song. Its beats are well arranged and the echo helps the song rise abovenormalcy.

A salsa beet comes to play with lots of guitar strumming intrack 16 “goodbye” it feels like it ought to be put among the first songs inthe album. It is about a relationship that is in the end and the only thing leftto do is to let go and walk away. Walk far away from the source.

It is a 17 track album with the 17^th track called“keep at it” named bonus track about talent and rights in terms of lady power.This track feels misplaced for the album as it is not afro-soul in any beat(pan intended) of it. It is a rap/cypher kind ofa track that will make any neo soul lover press next.

I feel the album ought to have been arranged a bit differentwith more upbeat tracks placed between the slow mellow feeling songs to breakthe monotony.  And the large number oftracks makes it a long album to listen to. The lack of different artists tobreak the sound of her sweet voice makes the album to end up feeling a littlerepetitive.

The album is well underpriced for its content and should belistened to in moderation, but I hope in the next album there are going to bemore voices from various artists in the album. Having heard her during a liveperformance, she is not a disappointment in any way. The album is a production of Major Soul, her own indepependent production house. (insert impressed)

pictures from reverbnation.com/anniesoul

Reviewed by Robert Mahebo

POWO September: Open Source Talk and Training Workshop

                   To sign up logon to POWOSept to register, the event is free

ALBUM REVIEW-INTRODUCING NGWATILO

ALBUM REVIEW-INTRODUCING NGWATILO by NGWATILO MAWIYOO

I like

The petit beauty, an eye candy, a model, an actress, asinger,  and a poet has an awesome set ofpoetic godliness that have been fused with music to create a bomb of an albumin the self titled album, Ngwatilo.

She has a collection of poems in the book, blue mothertongue. Having graced numerous stages performing poetry, her album is an umbrellaof international cultural collisions expressed with love.

“July” is the first track with lots of sweet melody by Lisa Noah, introducingthe lady, where the song is blended with spoken word by Ngwatilo Mawiyoo. It isa spectacular concept that I can bet to be the first in the market (Kenya).

Shailja Patel and Ngwatilo

Secondly comes a piece titled “father” with a rigid flow ofirony of the numerous things said about an African father with regards toarranged marriages. It is a narration from a child who is being sent off to bea wife of an old mzee as a father’s decision. “My father loves me, he knows mebetter than myself…” reverberates in my ears and it is the death of thefatherly image in the life of a little girl forced into an arranged marriagebeing introduced to her first sexual experience as a wife.

The sweet melody of Wambura Mitaru and the backing of SaraMitaru on the track “Suspend me” brings the end of a relationship that wasarticulated well by Ngwatilo’s recap of how the beginning was, from the numerousphone calls conjoinment of sorts and how its end brings to lights the fact thatyou have to make life about you becoming a better being.

“Falling in” is a poetic expression of how love isunderestimated and the deesved attention supplemented with its similar others,namely Lust. It simplifies the well being of a relationship as the fulfillmentof the little things are what is desired is a slow falling in love process.  The vocalization is by Kavutha muanzia Asiyoand Muthoni Hunja and the combination of their sweet voices can easily openNoah’s ark door.

“Goat Meat” gets me visualizing things I have not eaten. Ifeel hungry already. And Ngwatilo can sing as expressed in this track. It is acombination of great imagery, this you have to listen to lest I reduce itsawesomeness in my review.

At the poetry Africa festival

“Their stories” is about ladies from the different cultures,races, occupations and the various things that they do. It gives life to theirstories in every bit of the word asking a very interesting question. Who areyou going to appreciate? Do you appreciate the one who is always on your face?Will you start the process of recognizing the one who you ignore though you donot want to ignore them? Every lady plays a huge role in the universe.

The album’s outstanding produced is David “Blackman”Muthami. And Its sound quality is superb.  It is a sweet relaxer and a powerful productuniquely in its own niche. A beautiful collection of art.

Reviewed by Robert Mahebo

Story Moja Hay Festival brings Ben Okri and Yusef Komunyakaa 15th -18th Sept 2011

The Story Moja Hay Festival is back this time round bringing writers such as Ben Okri, Yusef Komunyakaa, Beth Lisick and Hari Kunzru among others. I will be having 2 sessions one on Friday and one on Sunday. I hope you will make time to engage with Creative Writers.

For a tenative program of the Festival, check out NairobiNow’s post.

Mafikizolo reigns at Blankets & Wine despite downpour

Yesterday was the 29th edition of Blankets and Wine, an event that was started by Muthoni Donga back in 2008.

It is a monthly event that brings together artist from Kenya and other African Countries with their fans every 1st Sunday of the month at the Mamba Village in Karen Nairobi.

Mafikizolo, a group from South Africa known for their hit ‘Ndihamba Nawe’ were the highlight of yesterday’s event which also say Kenyan acts like Maia Von Lekow, Aziza and Muthoni (Drummer Queen).

I arrived at Mamba Village slightly late though just in time to catch Maia. Muthoni and the boy band Aziza had already performed. The place was quite parked with more vehicles still streaming in forming a convoy right from the main road turn off to the Mamba gate. Parking was a challenge and one had to exercise their legs abit to cover the distance.

Then I saw it, what has come to be the trademark in the event and what some will use to conclude that the event has now become elitist with most attending to be seen or to show off their vintage/fine wines. Well, I will not get into that debate for now.
Revelers were strewn all over the vast field, some under tents, some basking in the sun and others milling around food and drink stands.

The sunny afternoon slowly started changing as dark clouds gathered, this did not seem to move Maia as she encouraged the crowd to sing the rain away. However, this did not change much. The torrent drained off the sound just after her performance and for almost 2 hrs, we sat hurdled next to each other trying to get some warmth and shield from the rain that seemed hellbent   on ruining the day.

Finally, the sound technicians were able to sort out the sound and Muthoni who was also the day’s MC informed the drenched mob that Mafikizolo were ready to get us up and dancing. True to their word, when they got on stage, they got everyone to their feet with most going to the dancing space just below the stage.

They started off with a fast paced song and then went on to sing one of my favourite tracks Emlanjeni. The group performed for almost 3 hours late into the night giving Kenyans a true concert experience. The duo was accompanied by 3 of their dancers who seemed as though they had no bones in their bodies! They performed various songs from their albums; Nisixotshelani, Kwela, Guga’thandayo, Udakwa Njalo(which we were informed meant, ‘you drink too much’), Masithokoze, Marabi and the Kenyan Favourite, Ndihambanawe among others.

This song, Ndihambanawe is what shot them to the limelight and it remains the most requested song. It went on to win the ‘Song of Decade’ award in South Africa last year. The always ingenous Kenyans decided to start the shuffle routine and soon everyone was doing the shuffle prompting the group to repeat the song and ask that everyone do the shuffle.

As I left the place at some minutes past seven which had by now become one fine mud mess, the duo were still up on stage evidently giving their fans value for their money and thanking them for withstanding the rain.
Reaching the main gate was a huge challenge as it was quite muddy but after getting home, I found myself quietly humming “I will meet you by the river, I will meet you by the river”.

It was worth it though I didn’t get to sit on a blanket.

Wambũi Mũtumia Njorua: Wambui our Warrior

Wambũi Mũtumia Njorua

           

Wambui Otieno (Image courtesy of BeatriceSpadacini.com

Mbaara ya mau mau

Yagũkorire

No diagũkuire

Ukĩhũrana na nyakerũ

Ta mũndũrũme

Wambũi Mũtumia Njorua

Ũkiugaũkũhikĩra ikenye rĩaku

Kĩũma kĩa goro mũgathĩini

Ũyũ Wa mũtũrĩre

Na ũkĩĩhotora ta mũkũi warwĩmbo

Ũkĩina rwanyarugunga

Wambũi Mũtumia Njorua

Wendo ũhana ũũkĩ mwatũinĩ

Wa ciana, mũthurina bũrũri waku

Warũũĩra wendo wa mũthuri

Ta nyamũ ya gĩthaka Ĩ ndihie

Na ona watihio ngoro

Dũigana kwĩira

Wambũi Mũtumia Njorua

 Mwĩrĩ wa mũthuri na wendi wake

Waũhũranĩire ta hiti na nyama

Na magĩgũtunya nyama Ĩ kanua

Kĩrumi makĩĩhumba ta nguo

Wambũi Mũtumia Njorua

Ta deri igĩthiũrũrũkĩra kĩimba

Maathingata mwĩrĩwaku

Indo ciao, itua riao

We mũtumia,

Ta mwana

Dwagĩrĩirwo ni gũkũũrĩraarũme maitho

Wambũi Mũtumia Njorua

Atumia oothe maro oeererea makinyamaku

Gũkinyĩra ma na kĩhoto

Ta mũrũũthi wonete thiiya

Huurũka rĩu na mwedwa waku

Wambũi Mũtumia Njorua

Njeri Wangari-Wanjohi

2^ndSeptember, 2011
NjeriWangari(at)kenyanpoet.com

—————————————————————————
– All rights reserved©

The English Translation

Wambui Our Warrior

The Mau Mau uprising

Found you and left you

You fought with the white man

Like a man

And won

Wambui our warrior

You chose with your heart

The bead to place

In your life’s necklace

Girding yourself

Like a soloist

Singing praise songs

To Nyarugunga

For bearing you a lover

Wambui our warrior

Your love, like honey in a hive

For your children, husband andcountry

Was fresh and abundant every day

You fought for your husband’s love

Like a wounded animal

Their stabs to your heart

Left you bruised

But not dead

Wambui, our warrior

For your husband’s body and his will

You fought

But lost

And they adorned themselves his curse

Like a bride for her day

Wambui our warrior

A pack of vultures surround yourremains

you

Their possession

You,

like a child

Had no right

Raising your voice to grown men

Wambui, our warrior

May women try filling your shoes

Fight for truth

Fight for justice

Fight for what is right

Like a lion with its prey

Wambui our warrior

You have now found peace

At the bosom of your lover

Wambui our warrior

Njeri Wangari-Wanjohi

2^ndSeptember, 2011

                                                            NjeriWangari(at)kenyanpoet.com

—————————————————————————
– All rights reserved©

ALBUM REVIEW- THE NOFORK HOTEL

ALBUM REVIEW- THE NOFORK HOTEL by VILLAGERS BAND

Album cover

The villager’s band was introduced to a while back when Ifirst saw the video to their song Kenchic which I thought was brilliantlycaptivating and simple.

I see the relevance of the title of the album in two ways, first4 of their 15 tracks are about foods, drinks or generally eating. And secondlyit is also a pan of sorts as their lyrics are talking of a simple lifestylewhere from my culture our meals were served with no forks to devour them withunlike the table setting in a five star hotel like Norfork.

The group prides itself in playing Benga, lingala and a bitof zouk but I feel their music has an afro fusion touch to it.

Like most afro fusion bands in Kenya there is a religioustrack in the album, track 2 “Petero” that talks of peter’s denial of theknowledge of Christ and draws into the emotions that he might have experienced,the questions playing in his head after the death of his friend.

“Hello hello” fires my arsenals and roars this engine, my body, into a trance of sweet movements. Thesong is of a gentleman wondering what he had been doing or rather what he hadnot been doing to warrant his lady’s sudden wish to leave. He goes looking fora doctor who will heal his heartache and explain his unexpected inevitable lossof a girlfriend who is on her way out. The instruments make a lingala likeintroduction before fading off into an acoustic ness of pleasure then back tothe lingala feel as we beg for the lady not to walk away.

After a luo jazzy feel “Raora” the tempo slows down in thefifth song “Country Girl” as we explore a possibility of dating a country girl takingher hurt as ours and make her feel loved. “….Walk with me along the goldenfield/hold my hand and never let me go/…”

The political whip is track 8 “Liar” as we recalls thepromises that were made five years ago by some politicians only to disappearleaving us ,the one who voted, in the same poor state. The rap was done byMoses QQU Odhiambo from the group NIX making it look like some nice romanticrelationship that was ended by a note saying ‘I love you still, see you in fiveyears’. The electric guitar roars to life and brings the party to a slowelectric death.

“Damu yangu”  (Myblood) is so far  my favorite. It is anice head shaking track that brings out the first emotions experienced when youspot someone you like and feel attached to, after a while of knowing each otherit is certain that you are meant to be and you try to convince them that wewill be good for each other and you ought to be in my life forever. Now putthat in a song. The guitars and the dram marry so well in this piece oforgasmic creation that got me a date, and a very random one at that (visualizebus stop, me headphones, singing along to the line ….damu yangu inasikizananawe… staring blankly but at a chic in front of me all subconsciously.)

photo by Osborne@kulture63

Mr walker puts the largest smile on my face as it starts. Itis a story based on a village setting where a young boy sees a lady that helikes and is now in persuit of her. But every time he goes to the girl’s homeit’s the father that he meets and even waiting for her by the river doesnethelp. The description that is given in the middle of the song by moses QQUmakes it very nice to listen to and its lingala slide gets us off the seat toour feet as we do a lower body jig.

“Obama” is the hilarious track in the album. Listen to it toknow why.

“Kenchic” the 12th track is an easy sing along that slowsdown from the sound of Obama and makes you relax. It is a bout a girl who’s sether standards to high for the boyfriend who is unable to please her in the wayshe wants. “Siendi Kenchic pengine Java/…/hapana Jeevanjee pengine Regency/”. Seethe video below.

This is a 15 track album that was released in 2009 has mesmiling through it all, it can easily be played over and over and still derivethe same satisfaction without fail each time. Most of the songs were written bythe lead vocalist Chris Adwar and are very well laid out. The acoustic backingmakes this album beautifully alien in all its essence. It is definitely worthgracing your music collection with an original copy of it.

Follow them here

pictures from google.co.ke/images

Reviewed by Robert Mahebo

Kenya Museum Book Sale 2nd & 3rd Sept 2011

“Crayziee about books”?

 Kenya Museum Society is pleased to invite you to

the annual second hand book sale this Friday 2nd Sept to Sat 3rd Sept.

 The sale will commence from 10.00am – 4.00pm on both days!

 Come with your friends and get a great collection of

 books, magazines and cassettes from as low as Ksh 50.

 This is a great chance to revamp your library!! 

Call us on 0724 -255 299info(at)kenyamuseumsociety.org

 Don’t miss, See you then!

Mafikizolo for the 29th Edition of Blankets & Wine, 4th Sept, 2011

The song ‘Emlanjeni’  or ‘I will meet you by the river’ as I prefer to call it has been my ringtone for the last 2 months now. This is after I  took an interest in  the group which I knew of thanks to Classic Fm overplaying their song Ndihambanawe. They almost made me hate the group.

However, I  watched the video to the song Emlanjeni and lets just say, I feel in love with the group then, needless to say, I never listened to the overplayed track.

Well, the group from South Africa will be gracing this month’s Blankets and Wine at the Leisure Gardens, Mamba Village  on Sunday 4th September from 1 till 6.30pm.

Mafikizolo  a rocking melange of traditional sounds, thumping bass of African house rhythms and a dose of 50s popular music genre marabi.One of South Africa’s most favourite music groups, Mafikizolo, is back with a brand new banging album after a well deserved two year break and this time they want to take their loyal fans on the musical journey of their lives. The transport for the journey is a Six Mabone – a classic car of the 60s-which is the title of their seventh album.

Despite loosing their lead singer, Tebza  in December 2001 following a road accident, the group has gone on to become one of South Africa’s most sought after group.

Advance tickets are going for 1,000 and can be purchased online through Pesa Pal.