ISBN 9781491157220. 6.875 x 10.5 inches. Key: G major, ab major. Swahili. Kenyan/Swahili Folk Song.
Malaika is a popular Kenyan love song by Fadhilli William Mdawida about a husband-to-be wanting to marry Angel (Malaika), but afraid to ask because he has no money. Having traveled to East Africa four times and heard wonderful authentic music when there, Russell Robinson first heard Malaika performed by the University of Florida Africa Choir, founded in 2009 by Kenyan director and doctoral student Dr. Duncan Miano Wambugu. After receiving permission from Faraji Mdawida, the son of the original composer, Fadhilli William Mdawida, Robinson has arranged this true-to-style arrangement for SATB choirs and percussion. When performing this delightful work, make sure your choir sings with joy (Furuha) on their faces!.
Malaika is a popular Kenyan love song written by Fadhilli William Mdawida who passed away in 2001. His son, Faraji Mdawida, granted permission for me to arrange this song for choirs. Written in Swahili, the main language in Eastern Africa, including the countries of Kenya and Tanzania, Malaika is a love song about a husband-to-be wanting to marry Angel (Malaika), but is afraid because he has no money. In the old traditions and folk lore in many African countries, the husband-to-be was to offer the family money or property in return for the honor of marrying the daughter. In Eastern and Southern Africa, songs are learned by rote, no written music, rather taught in the oral tradition. The arrangements develop organically in the rehearsals culminating in the performance. Having traveled to East Africa four times and heard wonderful authentic music when there, I first heard Malaika performed by our University of Florida Africa Choir, founded in 2009 by Kenyan director and doctoral student Dr. Duncan Miano Wambugu a friend of the Mdawida family. It is my hope that East African friends and colleagues will agree that this arrangement captures the style and flavor of authentic East African singing, where a soloist is intertwined with the entire choir. Stylistically, singers are encouraged to move simply and freely together to the music as the choral director sees fit. There are many YouTube videos of authentic Kenyan performances of this song. Even though every arrangement is different, it is helpful to listen to performances in order to embrace the spirit of the music. The percussion parts can be performed as written or ad lib, as indicated. Solos may be performed by any solo voice regardless of clef. When singing this, show joy in your faces just as the people of Kenya and Tanzania would, as they are some of the happiest people I have ever encountered. I hope you enjoy singing and feeling this beautiful song by Fadhilli William Mdawida and from one of my favorite places in the world, Eastern Africa. Russell Robinson, Arranger.
