Meet James Mworia, affectionately known as Maasai-a gifted virtuoso hailing from the lush landscapes of from Meru. His chosen instrument is the accordion-a tool he plays with the finesse of a master. This evocative griot struts his ancient but dying art of recording everyday events through music in the bustling townships of Nkubu, Mitunguu,Mujwa and beyond.
In the rich African artistic expression, griots reign supreme as custodians of oral traditions. This is particularly so in West Africa where griots are still revered to date. Amongst my Kikuyu people, they are revered as ‘Aini a Gicandi’, preserving the collective memory of generations past.
Sadly, with each passing day, this ancient art form further fades into obscurity, threatening to extinguish the invaluable repository of wisdom curated over centuries.
Curious about his craft, I asked Mzee Mworia about the costs of his services. With a twinkle in his eyes, he offered a profound insight: I sing, and the people thank me from their hearts. Therein lies the essence of African art-it’s not bound by commercial restraints but rather rooted in the profound connection between the artiste and the audience.
As the conversation unfolded, Mzee Mworia, perhaps weary of pesky question lifted his accordion aloft and began to sing. He sang about forgotten Ameru customs, his voice carrying the weight of the centuries. He sang about the legendary exploits of Koome Njue, the Ameru folk hero who liberated his people from Nguuntune and led them to their present land.
Are you recorded? I asked him when he took a repose from his mellifluous melody. With a hint of nostalgia, Mzee Mworai confessed: You are the first to record me. This, to me, underscores the fleeting nature of oral traditions in an ever evolving world-and the urgent need to record them for posterity.
In the artistry of James Mworia, we find not merely a musician, but a griot in the truest sense-a guardian of heritage, a story teller of unparralled eloquence, and a testament to the enduring power of music to transcend time and space.
