Glitz and music rock Rift Valley festival
Kenya Slum Drummers open their act with a traditional tune during the three-day fete by the shores of Lake Naivasha at the weekend. PHOTO | ELIZABETH MCSHEFFREY |
What you need to know:
- The event attracted singers, dancers, DJs and drummers from nearly 10 countries and roughly 3,000 visitors from all over the globe.
- Camped in little tents near the three main stages, participants spent the weekend in painting workshops, film screenings, lakeside yoga and more.
- Among musicians were Kenya’s own Makadem, who performed a number of his famous Luo Benga hits, Afro-fusion music group Sarabi, and the Slum Drummers, who were invited for an encore performance on Saturday afternoon.
Thousands of revellers streamed into Fisherman’s Camp last weekend for a dose of music and fashion at the fifth Rift Valley Festival.
From Friday to Sunday, more than 40 artistes performed on the shore of Lake Naivasha in the annual festive that celebrates the richness of Kenyan culture and diversity of East African music.
The event attracted singers, dancers, DJs and drummers from nearly 10 countries and roughly 3,000 visitors from all over the globe.
Camped in little tents near the three main stages, participants spent the weekend in painting workshops, film screenings, lakeside yoga and more.
“It is impressive. Art is not celebrated too much here, so when you see such an event drawing so many people, it is beautiful,” 22-year-old Fox Elijah, who travelled from Nairobi to attend the event, said.
Music-lovers partied from dawn to dusk, revelling in a mixture of contemporary and traditional African music.
In addition to visual arts workshops, ticket-holders watched artists draw portraits and sculptors make carvings.
Among musicians were Kenya’s own Makadem, who performed a number of his famous Luo Benga hits, Afro-fusion music group Sarabi, and the Slum Drummers, who were invited for an encore performance on Saturday afternoon.
Favourites from outside Kenya included the East African electronic group Santuri Safari, Ska-Face from the United Kingdom and Momo from Germany.
Event organiser Julia Ross said: “This is a weekend to relax.”
