Ethnically and Culturally Inspired Music
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Gargar (formerly known as Bismillahi Gargar) is a group made up of Kenyan women of Somali ethnicity from Garissa, North Eastern Kenya. The group’s name is derived from the Somali word ‘Gargar,’ meaning ‘joining together.’
Gargar is part of the larger women’s self-empowerment group from Garissa, called Bismillahi Gargar, which was formed in 2003 with the purpose of reminding people of their traditional culture and empowering women in the community through music, basketry and weaving, and other economic activities.
The singing quartet is made up of Luli Bashir, Asha Ibrahim, Anab Gure, and Amina Bashir.
Gargar came to the limelight in 2008, as one of the 11 finalists in the Spotlight on Kenyan Music program. Their AIDS awareness song titled ‘AIDS Wadila’ (AIDS Kills) was featured in the Spotlight on Kenyan Music Vol 4 compilation CD released in the same year.
In 2010, Gargar released their debut 10-track CD aptly titled: Garissa Express, which was recorded and produced at Ketebul Music Studios over a two-year period that saw the ladies shuttling back and forth between Garissa and Nairobi.
Their music features songs that are uniquely traditional and in keeping with the Somali language and sounds, yet arranged and recorded with modern instrumentation and arrangements to keep it relevant to the present day.
Since the launch of the Garissa Express CD, the profile of this once relatively unknown group from a marginalized region has been elevated, transforming Gargar into one of the most sought-after bands in the East African festivals circuit. The ladies have maintained a busy schedule that has seen them perform at festivals and shows in Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam, Harare, Bulawayo, Johannesburg, and Nairobi. Sawa Sawa Festival 2012, Carnivore Grounds Nairobi, Kenya June 2012; Spotlight on Kenyan Music Vol 5 Launch, Alliance Française de Nairobi, Kenya November 2011; Lamu Cultural Festival, Lamu Kenya, November 2011; Barazani Cultural Night, Alliance Française Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania November 2011; Earth Dance, Bullen’s Bush Johannesburg, South Africa September 2011; Intwasa Festival, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe September 2011; Gargar @ The Hillside Dams, Hillside Dams Bulawayo, Zimbabwe September 2011; Funkalicious Show, Alliance Française Harare, Zimbabwe September 2011; Alliance Française de Harare, 60th Anniversary Celebration, Alliance Française Harare, Zimbabwe September 2011; Sauti za Busara, Stone Town, Zanzibar February 2011; Sigalagala Women's Festival, The GoDown Arts Centre Nairobi, Kenya 2011; Promulgation of The New Kenyan Constitution, Uhuru Park Nairobi, Kenya 2011; International Women's Day, Alliance Française de Nairobi, Kenya 2010.
Gargar is part of the larger women’s self-empowerment group from Garissa, called Bismillahi Gargar, which was formed in 2003 with the purpose of reminding people of their traditional culture and empowering women in the community through music, basketry and weaving, and other economic activities.
The singing quartet is made up of Luli Bashir, Asha Ibrahim, Anab Gure, and Amina Bashir.
Gargar came to the limelight in 2008, as one of the 11 finalists in the Spotlight on Kenyan Music program. Their AIDS awareness song titled ‘AIDS Wadila’ (AIDS Kills) was featured in the Spotlight on Kenyan Music Vol 4 compilation CD released in the same year.
In 2010, Gargar released their debut 10-track CD aptly titled: Garissa Express, which was recorded and produced at Ketebul Music Studios over a two-year period that saw the ladies shuttling back and forth between Garissa and Nairobi.
Their music features songs that are uniquely traditional and in keeping with the Somali language and sounds, yet arranged and recorded with modern instrumentation and arrangements to keep it relevant to the present day.
Since the launch of the Garissa Express CD, the profile of this once relatively unknown group from a marginalized region has been elevated, transforming Gargar into one of the most sought-after bands in the East African festivals circuit. The ladies have maintained a busy schedule that has seen them perform at festivals and shows in Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam, Harare, Bulawayo, Johannesburg, and Nairobi. Sawa Sawa Festival 2012, Carnivore Grounds Nairobi, Kenya June 2012; Spotlight on Kenyan Music Vol 5 Launch, Alliance Française de Nairobi, Kenya November 2011; Lamu Cultural Festival, Lamu Kenya, November 2011; Barazani Cultural Night, Alliance Française Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania November 2011; Earth Dance, Bullen’s Bush Johannesburg, South Africa September 2011; Intwasa Festival, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe September 2011; Gargar @ The Hillside Dams, Hillside Dams Bulawayo, Zimbabwe September 2011; Funkalicious Show, Alliance Française Harare, Zimbabwe September 2011; Alliance Française de Harare, 60th Anniversary Celebration, Alliance Française Harare, Zimbabwe September 2011; Sauti za Busara, Stone Town, Zanzibar February 2011; Sigalagala Women's Festival, The GoDown Arts Centre Nairobi, Kenya 2011; Promulgation of The New Kenyan Constitution, Uhuru Park Nairobi, Kenya 2011; International Women's Day, Alliance Française de Nairobi, Kenya 2010.
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