IN THE CHARTS
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ABOUT
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 empower women in the community through music, basketry and weaving and other economical 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 programme. 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 Somali language and sounds, yet arranged and recorded with modern instrumentation and arrangements to keep it relevant to the present day.
ince the launch of 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 2012Carnivore Grounds Nairobi, Kenya June 2012Spotlight On Kenyan Music Vol 5 LaunchAlliance Française de Nairobi, Kenya November 2011Lamu Cultural FestivalLamu Kenya, November 2011Barazani Cultural NightAlliance Française Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania November 2011Earth DanceBullen’s Bush Johannesburg, South Africa September 2011 Intwasa FestivalBulawayo, Zimbabwe September 2011Gargar @ The Hillside DamsHillside Dams Bulawayo, Zimbabwe September 2011Funkalicious ShowAlliance Française Harare, Zimbabwe September 2011Alliance Française de Harare, 60th Anniversary CelebrationAlliance Française Harare, Zimbabwe September 2011Sauti za BusaraStone Town, Zanzibar February 2011Sigalagala Womens FestivalThe GoDown Arts Centre Nairobi, Kenya 2011Promulgation of The New Kenyan ConstitutionUhuru Park Nairobi, Kenya 2011International Womens DayAlliance 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 empower women in the community through music, basketry and weaving and other economical 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 programme. 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 Somali language and sounds, yet arranged and recorded with modern instrumentation and arrangements to keep it relevant to the present day.
ince the launch of 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 2012Carnivore Grounds Nairobi, Kenya June 2012Spotlight On Kenyan Music Vol 5 LaunchAlliance Française de Nairobi, Kenya November 2011Lamu Cultural FestivalLamu Kenya, November 2011Barazani Cultural NightAlliance Française Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania November 2011Earth DanceBullen’s Bush Johannesburg, South Africa September 2011 Intwasa FestivalBulawayo, Zimbabwe September 2011Gargar @ The Hillside DamsHillside Dams Bulawayo, Zimbabwe September 2011Funkalicious ShowAlliance Française Harare, Zimbabwe September 2011Alliance Française de Harare, 60th Anniversary CelebrationAlliance Française Harare, Zimbabwe September 2011Sauti za BusaraStone Town, Zanzibar February 2011Sigalagala Womens FestivalThe GoDown Arts Centre Nairobi, Kenya 2011Promulgation of The New Kenyan ConstitutionUhuru Park Nairobi, Kenya 2011International Womens DayAlliance Française de Nairobi, Kenya 2010
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