Sharie Lupo
Maseno University lecturers turned their unending frustrations and disappointments in the government’s failure to honour its end of the bargain into a moment of exuberance and pure bliss.
Maseno University lecturers switched from street protests to a live music performance at the institution’s library. Photo: Maseno Uinversity.
Source: Facebook Their intention was visibly clear from the onset: to musically disrupt learning and ultimately redefine how dons carry out protests going forward.
At the forecourt of the University’s library, the charged lecturers threw caution to the wind and let loose. They broke into a spirited dance that blended defiance for teaching and dalliance for music.
At the entrance of the multi-million ultra-modern university library that sits on a vast parcel of land that offers enough space for a concert, the dons cleared the floor and set up a stage for an epic dance.
They planted giant speakers along the pavements and turned the air around the institution’s premier resource centre into what could only be described as a scholarly vibe and rave.
They came prepared and were unapologetic. The official attire and expensive Turkish suits they usually clad in were nowhere to be seen. On this occasion of demos, they carried a variety of attire that befitted the orchestra.
The glorious moment of a full-blown dance came when Odongo Swagg’s Chwade Gi Nyundo song was played. The dons broke into unrestrained boogie-woogie, legs kicking forward and sideways in quick but rhythmic style. They shuffled on the floor and let loose their waists, whining and rolling like kids playing hula hooping.
Another memorable moment came when their DJ switched to Taarab music. In an unexpected turn of events, the dons, who seemed to have sufficiently rehearsed the performance akin to students preparing to defend their theses, showed up in colourful deras and whine their waists away.
The choice of the song was unmistakable. It was Golden Star’s popular hit, Wape Wape Vidonge Zao, Wakimeza Wakitema ni Shauri Yao, which loosely translates to (let them have their share, whatever they choose to do with it is up to them). In the context of the strike, the dons were basically telling the government to deal with the consequences of the strike after failing to address their grievances.
They then switched to the East African Melody hit song “Zoa Zoa”, whose clarion call is in the chorus, “Humpati Huyo Utasota Sana” and “Tuliza Boli Uwanja Mdogo”. The Swahili phrases are creatively composed by the singer to tease a woman whose husband she has snatched. It is a provocative hit that depicts defiance after succeeding in a contest.
It was a moment of mad fun for the dons, who are otherwise known for their calm, reserved demeanour, only associated with serious two-hour-long lectures.
How did Kenyans react to the dons’ dance? The live performance by the charged lecturers did not go unnoticed. Dozens of Kenyans trooped to social media to show admiration for the scholars.
Some cheekily pleaded with the Kenya University and Colleges Placement (KUCCUPS) to find them a space at the premier institution that prides itself as the only university on the Equator.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
Source: Tuko.co.ke | Read the Full Story…
