Kenyan Folk Songs — Performing (Music)

These notes help you learn and perform Kenyan folk songs. They are easy for 9-year-olds and use simple actions, voices and instruments you can find around you. 🎶👣🥁

What are Kenyan folk songs?

Folk songs are traditional songs people have sung for a long time. In Kenya, folk songs come from many communities and languages like Swahili, Kikuyu, Luo, Luhya, Kamba and Maasai. They tell stories, teach lessons, celebrate work and help people dance and play together.

How to perform a folk song (easy steps)

1. Warm up your voice: Breathe in for 4, out for 4. Hum ♫ up and down on "mmm" for 6 seconds.
2. Stand or sit straight: Feet flat, shoulders relaxed. Good posture helps your voice. 🤸‍♀️
3. Sing the words clearly: Open your mouth and say each word slowly the first time.
4. Use feelings: If the song is happy, smile. If it is slow and calm, sing softly. 🙂😌
5. Look at your audience: Make eye contact for a few seconds so people feel included.

Call-and-response (a common way to sing)

Call-and-response is when one person sings a short line (call) and everyone else answers (response). Try this simple example in Swahili and English:

Simple folk song idea (short)

Use this short tune for practising. Sing slowly first, then faster. Clap on each beat.

Kenyan instruments to use

• Nyatiti (string instrument) — pluck gently 🎸
• Oruutu or fiddle — a small violin-like sound
• Drums — big or small for keeping the beat 🥁
• Shaker (like kayamba) — shake on the off-beat
• Hands and claps — your body is an instrument! 👏

Fun performance activities

1. Echo game: Teacher sings a line, class repeats it exactly.
2. Circle song: Sing and walk around in a circle, stop at the chorus and clap.
3. Solo spot: One child sings the call, group answers the response.
4. Dance steps: Step-touch right-left, clap, turn once — repeat. Add a smile! 💃
5. Instrument band: Some children clap, others play a shaker, one plays a drum.

Voice warm-up exercises (2 minutes)

• Humming: hum "mmmm" while raising your hands up and down (5 times).
• Siren: make a sound like a siren from low to high and back (3 times).
• Clear words: say "pa-ta-ka" loudly and clearly (repeat 6 times).

Performance tips (easy to remember)

• Smile and enjoy the song 🙂
• Sing loudly enough for everyone to hear but don’t shout.
• Keep the beat with claps or a drum.
• Use movements that match the words (point, wave, step).
• Finish the song with a small bow or hand wave.

Simple check (how to know you did well)

Ask these questions after your performance:

• Did I sing the words clearly?
• Did I keep the beat with my group?
• Did I show the feeling of the song?
• Did I smile and look at my audience?

Homework (quick & fun)

Learn the short verse above. Practice at home with a parent: one sings the call, the child answers. Try to add a clap or a simple step each time.