Manene Luo Lullaby is Rapasa’s current music project that takes roots from previous projects which looked to explore cross-culture inclusivity specifically across social diversity, geography and mobility. He is re-imagining ways to present his work and he is looking at different possibilities of songwriting approaches, this time on the theme of songs from his childhood. Historically nyatiti players would sometimes rely on small gathering shows (busaa/chang’aa clubs) in the villages to inform the direction of a song. This is based on the fact that lyrics are derived from observation of the immediate environment, praising assurance consequently involving the audience to participate in the early stages of realising and developing the song, with both the instrument section and lyrics being collectively addressed before it is recorded and published. 

In this work, Rapasa is experimenting through different phases, gradually provoking, encouraging the evolution of nyatiti instrument and music through questioning. Sometimes this happens by mirroring its origin, and along the way, it becomes more evident how tunes are created in subtle manner. The songs involve an active following audience therefore it is  participatory and inclusive. By nature the nyatiti itself is considered melodic and lives in the same scale with some exceptions. Jathum (nyatiti musician) will often use the similar nyatiti ostinatos from traditional tunes, then may tweak the key to fit their voice and add different lyrics according to the environment and people around using praises. As a result the musician’s signature is often epigrammatic and political. It can even be identified through their lyrical language, tempo and emphasise in staccato for example. This approach helps with bonding with the audience who is receptive to a sound they are familiar with. With this in mind Rapasa thought of creating melodies independently from lyrics to allow these elements to manifest. Keeping the lyrics approach elements forward in the design. He spent  time looking at Luo lullabies, children poems, structure and integration of Luo proverbs. He uses metaphors to narrate events and keep characteristic and behavior of the subject masked in the titles, chorus, verses and chants. Rapasa also looked at semantic effectiveness of original riddles and songs to develop this work by focusing on the use of ideophones and humour of these phrases. This style is immanent in the lyrics he worked on during his residency at the Old School Gallery in Alnmouth.

Using these methods Rapasa is continuing his quest to convey the feel of the songs beyond the music itself to an audience who does not speak the lyrical language used while keeping the subtlety of its poetic rhythm. He is taking this into consideration with the development of this collection of songs to get them ready for the public. He is looking forward to open a dialogue with the audience to assist in future project enhancements. 

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Thu Tinda!!!

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Project - Manene|Lullaby music album

Winter Residency - The Old School Gallery Shoreside Alnmouth Camping Huts

Supported by - ​The Old School Gallery

Time - February 2024

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