Siwa (Swahili) – flute
The Waswahili are said to be among the earliest settlers of the towns that emerged along Kenya’s coast. In Pate, the city state that grew in the northern region of the Swahili coast, various customs became part of the community, and among these was music.
In 1688 the WaPate crafters made a horn from ivory. It was named Siwa and it would be used during various ceremonies. The interesting feature about the Siwa was that it was blown from the side, similar to the transverse flute.
Chivoti (Digo) – flute
There’s a mellow outro to a lot of instrumentals that leaves the listener satisfied as the music comes to a halt. This musical routine isn’t something new, rather a concept that was even found in the past among the Digo. The name of their favoured outro instrument is chivoti. Of note, it is the only one of its kind found in Kenya. Made from bamboo, this traditional instrument is similar to a flute, with six holes and longer than most wind or string instruments.
Nzumari/Zomari (Duruma) – flute
Did you know that once upon a time the Duruma used a nzumari which produced a similar sound to that of bagpipes? The instrument is of Arabian descent, named after the Arabian zummarah. Its popularity grew around Africa but it was first found in Egypt over 3,000 years ago. It has a double reed which is held in the mouth, a shallow lip shield made from coconut shell, tubing made from fine brass fixed into the section made of bamboo with the plug from a cassava. It is also known as the African oboe and has 6 holes to produce different notes