Okavango African Orchestra facts for kids
Okavango African Orchestra is a super cool Canadian music group from Toronto, Ontario. They won a big award called the Juno Award for World Music Album of the Year in 2017 for their very first album! This group loves to share and celebrate all the different kinds of African music. They do this by playing and recording music in many unique African styles, using lots of special instruments from Africa.
What is the Okavango African Orchestra?
The Okavango African Orchestra is a group of talented musicians who bring the sounds of Africa to Canada and the world. Their goal is to show how rich and varied African music is. They play many different types of music, from traditional songs to new sounds, all inspired by the African continent.
How the Group Started
The group first came together in 2010. They were formed with help from the Batuki Music Society. This is an organization in Toronto that works to promote traditional African arts and music. It helped bring these amazing musicians together to create something new and exciting.
Unique Instruments and Talented Musicians
The Okavango African Orchestra uses many interesting instruments that you might not see every day. Some of the original members played instruments like:
- Daniel Nebiat on the krar, which is a type of lyre from East Africa.
- Sadio Sissokho on the kora, a string instrument that sounds a bit like a harp and a lute.
- Waleed Abdulhamid on the gimbri, a three-stringed bass lute.
- Nuudi Kooshin on the kaban, a string instrument similar to a lute.
- Pasipamire Gunguwo on the mbira, a thumb piano that makes beautiful, ringing sounds.
- Donné Robert on guitar.
- Walter MacLean on percussion, playing drums and other rhythm instruments.
As of 2018, the group's lineup includes some of these original members like Daniel Nebiat, Sadio Sissokho, and Donné Robert. Other talented musicians like Ebenezer Agyekum, Kofi Ackah, Nicolas Simbananiye, and Tichaona Maredza have also joined the orchestra. Together, they create a unique blend of sounds that celebrates African culture.
