Ebrahim Makunja also known as Kamanda Ras Makunja, leader of Ngoma Africa Band Founded by Ebrahim Makunja also known as Kamanda Ras Makunja, Ngoma Africa Band is now 23 years old, and continues to thrill fans throughout the country with “Bongo Dansi” – Rumba influenced danceable music from Tanzania. The band sings mainly in Kiswahili.
Kamanda Ras Makunja admits that it has been a tough journey. “Many promoters in Germany
and in other European countries don’t like promoting African music.
They instead prefer to promote Rock, Blues, Punk, etc. That makes it
very difficult for us African musicians to find a chance of performing
before large crowds,” he says.
Kamanda
Ras Makunja however reveals that they’ve learnt to rely on their own
efforts to promote and market their music. Due to the fact that they’ve
survived against all odds, some people have nicknamed Ngoma Africa Band
members “Strong Aliens” or Anti-Riot Squad.
The
band’s main secret of success is to play authentic Rumba music and
ensure that in each concert, all the fans dance right from the beginning
to the end. Ngoma Africa Band has a unique and intelligent way of
involving and interacting with fans during concerts. Both female and
male dancers, dressed in Tanzanian traditional multi-coloured costumes
do join the fans in the dance hall to give them a closer taste and look
of the majestic Rumba moves as well as the vigorous sexy Soukous moves.
“Our
fans are our bosses. We play the music they love and make them happy.
And they in turn help promote the band,” says Kamanda Ras Makunja.
Ngoma
Africa Band has composed songs on various themes such as love,
corruption, press freedom and solidarity. It has also played a major
role in fighting racism and promoting integration of Africans in
Germany.
Kamanda Ras Makunja says racism is widespread in Germany, but the situation is not as bad as it was a few years ago.
“I’ll
never accept to be a victim of racism. I will instead always fight for
my right whenever I face racial discrimination,” Kamanda Ras Makunja
says.
A few years ago Ngoma Africa Band held a nationwide tour to back the anti-racism campaign “We are One”.
“Music has the power to break down barriers and bring people together,” Kamanda Ras Makunja says.
He
feels very happy when Germans and Africans take to the floor during
their concerts. “Our concerts bring together people from all backgrounds
just to have fan. That is our way of fighting racism and facilitating
integration,” Kamanda Ras Makunja says with pride.
He
strongly appeals to Africans in Germany to make efforts to integrate in
their local communities. “The only way to live a meaningful life here is
to integrate in the local society.”
Last January Ngoma Africa Band released a single titled “Mapenzi ya Pesa” (Love of Money).
“We
are working on our next CD to feed the souls and hearts of our fans with
extraordinary and authentic African music,” Kamanda Ras Makunja says.
Click here to enjoy some of the hits by the Ngoma Africa Band.
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