Riziki cultural dance group has perfected the art of entertaining audiences during various events in Nakuru.

Their taarab music genre that involves mduara, msondo and chakacha accompanied with swahili body moves in their signature red and yellow deras, takes one to the shores of the roaring Indian ocean, madafu in hand.

It is believed that the group always composes songs based on the event and find a witty way of mentioning the chief guest in every song.

So good are they at moving from one mheshimiwa to another that they have managed to entertain all three governors without being politically affiliated to any of them.

Riziki dance group perform at a past event graced by former governor Lee Kinyanjui.

Photo credit: COURTESY

Perhaps it is this ‘trade secret’ that has led to the longevity of the group.

Once on stage, many chief guests have found themselves joining in the jig and even if you do not know the moves, you cannot stop but nod your head to the tune of the taarab melody that rhymes well with the drummer's prowess.

Riziki was initially started in 1998 by grandmothers of the current members.

Speaking to Mtaa Wangu, Hamza Ramadhan who is the director of music revealed that their grandmothers used to perform for high profile persons including retired President Daniel arap Moi when the group was known as Riziki leso.

However, in 2014, the grandchildren modernized the style of music but maintained the culture from Mombasa and Zanzibar.

"We decided to modernize the group after taking over from our grandmothers," said Ramadhan.

Riziki dance group perform at a Jubilee party event in 2017.

Photo credit: COURTESY

Since then, Hamza notes that Riziki cultural dance group has achieved a lot including emerging winners of the cultural festivals in 2018 and 2019.

The group is also capitalizing on outside catering as well as table banking to boost their economic muscles.

Rukia Bilali who is the chairperson revealed that a percentage of what they get as pay from their performance, is channelled into their economic empowerment program.

pmambili@gmail.com

Inside cultural dance group that brings coastal vibes to Nakuru

Author Spotlight

Pristone Mambili