Marombosa

This is the local church. Couldn't help noticing the nice padded thrones for the celebrants / priests compared to the garden furniture for the others.

We listened to a service here (obviously without taking photos) for a while. There were 3 choirs: one on the left and two on the right, each equipped with their own concert amplification system and excessive bass drivers. In a tin shed, for that was what it was, albeit with textile decorations, the sound was percussive to say the least. Now I know why the congregation sways unsteadily to the beat.

The choirs each had their own uniform, distinctly African patterned, and sang gospel songs in Swahili. Occasionally, the priests got a look in. Most songs were of the call and response variety and one in particular reminded me of some old Italian harvesting songs. I was waiting for some polychoral antiphony but the choirs sought complete independence.

It sounded great to us. Maybe we had been traumatised by the blast from the past we were getting every day in the form of Boney M "By the Rivers of Babylon" being broadcast at least 4 times a day, interspersed by their other 1970's hits.

Luckily one of the ex-students still living with us had a better supply of music, for example Prince Indah "Maria" is a typical example of a modern Tanzanian song. Wouod Fibi another. I also admit to enjoying Rosie Muhando, though judging from the looks on the young folks' faces this would be like saying in the UK that you liked Nana Mouskouri.Read more