The 2011 Intwasa festival opening day will be graced by a fitting group of Somali origin from Garissa, North Eastern Kenya. Bismillahi Gargar is one of the most decorated acts at the 7th edition of the Intwasa Arts Festival which kicks off on the 19th of September finishing on the 25th of September 2011.
The groups name is derived from the Somali words bismillahi meaning “in the name of Allah” and Gargar meaning “joining or bringing together”. Formed in 2003 with the purpose of reminding people of their traditional culture, Bismillahi Gargar focus on their own empowerment in an area where cultural practices can sometimes marginalise women.
Music is just one of the activities they engage in, besides performing on national holidays, weddings and other festivities the women run a self help group weaving mats and ropes. Their debut CD titled Garissa Express was recorded over a period of 2 years at Nairobi’s Ketebul studios, consisting of numerous trips for the ladies shuttling back and forth between Garissa and Nairobi.
Their music is uniquely pop and ethnical in keeping with Somali Language and singing style, yet arranged and recorded with modern instrumentation their music will leave the discerning listener blown away by the angelic yet so original voices, a clue where the groups soul lives- in the past, now and the future, appealing to all ages and cutting through all genres.
The four piece group is made of Lulu Bashir Muge, Anab Gure Ibrtahi, Amina Basher Elmoge and Asha Ibrahim Yussuf.Bismillahi Gargar recently staged a show at the alliance Francaise Nairobi which was a huge success as they played to a full house grooving to their vocals, harmonies and dancing
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