Fundi Konde
Encyclopedia
Fundi Konde was a Kenya
n musician. He was one of the first popular performers from that country, and was said to be the first electric guitarist from East Africa
. His music utilized Swahili
lyrics accompanied by a mixture of regional rhythms and imported rumba. His professional career began during World War II
, when he performed for East African troops in South Asia. Returning home to Kenya, he made some of the earliest recordings from the region, including the hits "Mama Sowera", "Majengo Siendi Tena", "Kipenzi Waniua Ua" and "Jambo Sigara". He continued to perform and record until 1963, when he retired until the early 1980s, when he began singing, composing and producing again.
He was born in 1924 in Mwabayanyundo village, Kilifi District
. He represented the Giriama
tribe. He died in 2000 at his home in Kibera
, Nairobi
.
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
n musician. He was one of the first popular performers from that country, and was said to be the first electric guitarist from East Africa
East Africa
East Africa or Eastern Africa is the easterly region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. In the UN scheme of geographic regions, 19 territories constitute Eastern Africa:...
. His music utilized Swahili
Swahili language
Swahili or Kiswahili is a Bantu language spoken by various ethnic groups that inhabit several large stretches of the Mozambique Channel coastline from northern Kenya to northern Mozambique, including the Comoro Islands. It is also spoken by ethnic minority groups in Somalia...
lyrics accompanied by a mixture of regional rhythms and imported rumba. His professional career began during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, when he performed for East African troops in South Asia. Returning home to Kenya, he made some of the earliest recordings from the region, including the hits "Mama Sowera", "Majengo Siendi Tena", "Kipenzi Waniua Ua" and "Jambo Sigara". He continued to perform and record until 1963, when he retired until the early 1980s, when he began singing, composing and producing again.
He was born in 1924 in Mwabayanyundo village, Kilifi District
Kilifi District
Kilifi District is an administrative district in the Coast Province of Kenya. Its capital is coastal town Kilifi. The district has a population of 281,552 .The district is located north and northeast of Mombasa...
. He represented the Giriama
Giriama
The Giriama are one of the nine ethnic groups that make up the Mijikenda ....
tribe. He died in 2000 at his home in Kibera
Kibera
Kibera is a division of Nairobi Area, Kenya, and neighbourhood of the city of Nairobi, located from the city centre. Kibera is the largest slum in Nairobi, and the second largest urban slum in Africa...
, Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
.