Demba Music

13/06/2024

What's the use of having my Nyatiti if I can't play it?

When I started playing Nyatiti, I was this girl who wanted to be associated with big gigs. Little did I know I had a long way.I must confess at first I just saw my Nyatiti as a tool but didn't know how or what to use it for.
I was going through alot financially so I needed cash.I could play but I only knew I was striving for recognition and cash thus I didn't concentrate much on my content. I knew those who had ears for music knew I wasn't ripe enough,but the audience who didn't understand just thought that was it.😅
Of course I wondered what my audience thought and that made me even more non-authentic although I was playing a very authentic african instrument, Nyatiti. I was still a baby artist.
I made a few coins but at a cost I will one day talk about.

Things happened,got a bunch of challenges and I had to leave nairobi and go back home. To where I was taught and mentored. I feared playing infront of the old men,I didn't know what they would say,I knew I wasn't good enough.
I knew I had to go deeper at mastering the Nyatiti.
My Nyatiti mentor met me playing at the market and seemed proud and tipped me,but it's always by grace.❤️😇

With grace I realized I needed to work hard to complement it. Work hard at content creation, research,learn from other hands and build a foundation strong enough to support future music lovers and Nyatiti players, female/male: not just for the sake of mastering the instrument but also songs,pakruok, and tales from the past to pass on to our children.

I got broke and thought,What's the use of having my Nyatiti if I can't play it?...I knew how the big clubs had not embraced the Nyatiti and mark you being played by a woman and by herself, so i played in the markets and small clubs, sometimes even at busaa clubs. I was practicing while making money and working on my secret stage fright and anxiety issues. It's always a blessing to play for the villagers.

Just like any other business,music is serious business that deserves all the discipline. I realized that without looking at my Nyatiti music business seriously nobody would. It is my journey and aim through Playing Nyatiti music to have a generation that can know their culture and heritage, where they are from and who they are and to accept art and crafts as a paying business too.

Now even though am still making some losses I believe it will be ok because we have stood through storms.

Demba music is a baby and we have started crawling. One day we shall walk.

Thank you for always supporting us.

On the 21st June we will be at ahindi garden park in siaya town to celebrate World Music Day. You are all welcome from 4pm to 6pm. 'Bi wamiel Nyatiti' and dance together.

Any Musician around siaya that would like to showcase any talent, you are most welcome. Call 0712638951 for more info.
https://youtube.com/?si=Y6sXmsAnMBA6s5FF

Asanteni.
Dembamusic©