1. Background:
Today, 12.1.2019, marks the 40th death anniversary of the one and only, MBARAKA MWARUKA MWISHEHE, the man himself, who tragically passed away in a car accident on 12.1.1979 in Mombasa, Kenya.
2. Birth, Early Days & Education :
The late MBARAKA was born on 26.6.1944. He was the second born in a family of 12 children. His father, MWISHEHE MWARUKA, was from the Luguru tribe and was fortunate to go to school and later became a clerk. He was a resident of Mzenga, Kisarawe. The reason why the MWARUKA's family was based in Mzenga and not in Morogoro was because as a young man, MBARAKA's grandfather got a posting in Kisarawe where he went on to become a chief. While in Kisarawe, the new Chief married 9 wives with whom he sired more than 50 children.
The late MBARAKA developed an interest in music at a very young age.
3. Dropping Out of School:
One day in 1965, MBARAKA made up his mind to drop out of school and take a bus to Dsm to pursue a career in music. He was a Form 3 student at Mzumbe Sec School.
On that day when Morogoro Jazz band musicians were taking a break outside their club, a young boy with a familiar face came by with a huge bag.
With the pep talk that ensued between the two parties, the musicians managed to convince young MBARAKA to sleep over at the club as he sorted out his future.
At that time the band didn't have a rhythm guitarist yet they were preparing for a show. They succeeded to convince this novice to stay with them and abandon his dreams of going to Dsm. They agreed to pay him a monthly salary of Tzs 120. One week later, there was a competition in Dsm and one of the invited bands was Morogoro Jazz Band. The gifted MBARAKA outshined all his colleagues assisting his band to win the competition. Consequently, his monthly salary was instantly raised from TZS 120 to TZS 250!.
In 1970, Morogoro Jazz Band travelled to Osaka, Japan for an Expo as part of the Tanzanian cultural team. Others in the team were Mzee MORRIS NYUNYUSA, DSM University Theatre group and Mzee MAYAGILO with Tanzania Police Brass band. It was a historic trip as many people from different countries heaped praises on Morogoro Jazz Band.
MBARAKA's guitar strumming style made him one of the best soloists of his time. He was an exceptional guitarist. At one point, he would play like Dr NICO, at another point, he would play like FRANCO. He was a hybrid of the 2 guitar greats from Africa. The technique earned him a huge following. He was exceptional as he played the solo, wrote songs and also sang.
In 1971, he met a beautiful young girl named Ms AMNE KADRIBAKSH SHAHDAD and the two became lovers. On 17.3.1972, the two lovebirds tied the knot. Their marriage was blessed with two issues of the marriage namely MASIKU and TAJI.
In 1973, MBARAKA formed his own band, ORCHESTRAR SUPER VOLCANO which was very popular.
4. MBARAKA hit songs:
Some of MBARAKA's hit songs, which are still very popular todate, were:
3.1 Shida
3.2 Makao Makuu Dodoma
3.3 Twawapongeza Wanasoka
3.4 Vijana na mapenzi
3.5 Ntamtuma mshenga
3.6 Mtaa wa 7
3.7 Dr KLERUU
3.8 Safari sio kifo
3.9 Moro yapendeza
3.10 Maonesho Japan
5. Leaving Bongo for Kenya
The gifted MBARAKA, in 1973, like many other Tanzanian artists at the time, switched his base from Tanzania to Kenya where there were better recording studios as well as a bigger music market.
6. MBARAKA's death:
MBARAKA died on 12.1.1979 at 1.55 AM when the white Peogeot 404 he was travelling in, belonging to his friend OMAR ABDI who was driving the car, rammed into a stationery lorry near Kigonya church, Mombasa, Kenya. He did not die instantly but at the hospital out of excessive loss of blood and lack of a donor at that moment. He was only 35 years old. It was a dark day for Tanzania and East African music.
In the said car, MBARAKA was with two companions who died on the spot. MBARAKA's body was transported to the border by friends and relatives and it was received by officials from the Tanzanian Ministry of Culture.
MBARAKA was buried at Mzenga, Kisarawe. His grave, which was in a dilapitated state, was repaired by the late CAPT JOHN KOMBA before he died in 2015.
R.I.P MBARAKA MWISHEHE: EAST AFRICA's MOST PROLIFIC ALL- ROUND POP MUSICIAN, A CROONER PER EXCELLENCE!!!
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