Ohangla

Ohangla is a traditional dance among the Luo community. It was used to celebrate weddings and also in funeral ceremonies as part of Tero Buru. Ohangla consists of more than eight drums played with sticks and a cylindrical, shoulder- slung drum, usually accompaniedby a flute, Nyatiti or kinanda. Tony Nyadundo, Prince Indah, Emma Jalamo, Otieno Aloka, Freddy Jakadongo, Osogo Winyo and Onyi Papa Jey are among the best-known Ohangla musicians. The original Ohangla featured a very fast tempo and often conveyed vulgar messages in its lyrics. Local elders would ban Ohangla music in the early 1980s because it was considered suitable for only adults. "The songs can only be interpreted by very intelligent or mature people, but not children or teenagers," noted Juma Oketch, an Ohangla band vocalist based in Nairobi.