“Wazee Nimwambie“ - William Osale (Kenya) - African Guitarist - Jogoo 120

William Osale was a fingerstyle guitarist who performed and recorded in Kenya during the 1950s and 60s. Osale was a rural musician who played in the ’sukuti’ style - a rhythmic style of finger-style playing invented by George Mukabi that results in a light, ’bouncy’ sound. In his “A History of Kenyan Guitar Music: 1945-1980“, John Low writes, “Some rural finger-stylists like George Mukabi and William Osale also had success in the towns, providing Swahili versions of songs that they might sing in local languages back home. The appeal of their songs lay in the fact that many town dwellers had (and still have) strong links with the land, and the themes of these songs, often conservative and sometimes nostalgic, reminded them of the old values.“ The title of this tune, “Wazee Nimwambie“ seems to be a plea for the elders to speak or to share their knowledge. If any Swahili speakers can help translate the lyrics, please leave a comment! I find t