KWEChE synopsis

In this work Rapasa is looking back at his tradition and what he learnt at a young age from his elders and from growing up in rural Western Kenya. Having moved away from his natal province the artist is reflecting on KWEChE.

You might wonder what is Kweche? What does it mean? The real question you may ask yourself is what does it mean for you? Kweche translates from Dholuo as Taboos with its singular form Kwer. As much as Kweche have been suppressed by some communities, if you look closely you will find some examples relevant to your culture and you will be surprised to find some very similar ones across very different cultures. It has been attempted to define the word taboo/kwer by philosophes and anthropologists however some slight differences can be found in the literature. In the context of this work, taboo is meant as an interdiction emanating from God/Nyasaye/Nyakalaga or ancestral spirits which leads to misfortunes if not adhered to. More specifically in the Luo culture the repercussion can be on the individual, its family or wider village such as disease known as “chira”.

Traditionally, the Luo community encourages marrying outside the tribe. As the community traveled down the Nile from... more
credits
released August 4, 2021

Executive Producer: Rapasa Nyatrapasa Otieno.
All songs written, composed, arranged and performed by Rapasa Nyatrapasa Otieno.
Music arrangement mentor: Nathan Okite.
Recorded, mixed & mastered by Rapasa Nyatrapasa Otieno.
Music production mentors: Dan Burt and Nathan Okite.
Recording location: Jeff Dean.
Photography: Rapasa Nyatrapasa Otieno.
Photography Assistant: Sabrina Otieno
Wardrobe: Rapasa Nyatrapasa Otieno.
Design: Rapasa Nyatrapasa Otieno and Sabrina Otieno.
Synopsis: Rapasa Nyatrapasa Otieno and Sabrina Otieno.
Lyrics interpretation: Rapasa Nyatrapasa Otieno.


THANK YOU:
To God for the gift of music.
To Sage Gateshead particularly Emily Jones and Matthew Jones for the great support they have provided during Artist in residence 2020/2021.
To Opiyo Okach for preparing the media programing for live presentations of this work.
To Kaviraj Singh Dhadyalla for reviewing the audio.
To Damaris Muga and Dan Burt for reviewing the design artwork.
To Richard and Paula.
Special thank you to all my masters of Nyatiti in Alego and Ugenya in particular Prof. Nyamungu.
To all my friends and followers out there, I give you this piece of art from my heart. God bless you all!

Thu Tinda !!!
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