Chemirocha (II)

Topical song with Chepkongo 6 string bowl lyre. Chemirocha the mystical singer, (based on Jimmy Rodgers, the American guitarist) is at Kericho, they say. 'Why'. He is said to have visited a friend of his at Ituna! The similarity of the two instruments, the guitar and the local lyre has given rise to the legend of this wandering player whose records have been heard, but whose presence is a mystery. The young men having sung this version of Chemirocha said that it was really their sisters' song, but they were too shy to sing it. Eventually the girls were persuaded to sing and gave us the next version.Details from ILAM field card number: D6L 19