Asuka is a tribute song for a former member of Nyagweno's chorus. In the past, nyatiti players would be accompanied by a chorus of men who would respond to certain calls in the songs. Nyatiti was normally played alone, but at some point, the chorus was added, presumably because it gave a player a leg up during competitions. Nyagweno mentions here, that he won the competitions with the help of Asuka, his friend.
The song is full of parables familiar to people from the Siaya region. For example, it mentions that in the event that one's mother has delivered a child, people in the village are forbidden from telling the older son directly. She must send a letter to the son asking for medicine and towels, which is indicative of having birthed a baby.
The song includes numerous shout outs to people in the area then ends with praises for those who have passed on.
lyrics
Mano adwa wero Aywaya kodero koleu Magere gima ger kia ng’wech- I want to praise Aywaya son of Odero, son of Oleu, Magere, a fierce creature who won’t run from a fight.
Wuod mama yamo nokawe chon- My brother, a friend who died long time ago.
Mano wuod mama manayombo ga go ji ka chuo obet piny- My brother, a friend, together we won competitions while I played and he sang backup.
Eiii Yawa Olang’ ndiga kiluong Abembre- Eiiii oh Olang’ the great (bicycle), call out Abembre.
Bebre manyinge Alego- Bembre, who goes by the name Alego.
Omondi kindend Abembre- Omondi, why don’t you praise Abembre.
Raywaya eh wuod Odero yawa Okiluong Abembre- Raywaya, son of Odero, oh, why don’t you call Abembere.
Bembre manyinge Alego- Bembre, who goes by the name Alego.
E..Ragenya wi ng’wen en mopiem gi pinje- Son from Ugenya, the giant termite that competes with nations.
E..Ragenya wi ng’wen en mopiem gi pinje- Son from Ugenya, the giant termite that that competes with Nations.
Wende Owadwa- My brother.
Rere Asuka aywaya wuodwa- Scratches himself, Asuka Raywaya my brother.
Raywaya wuod Mihoma kawanga joge Asuka- Raywaya son of Miyoma, son of Wanga oh Asuka.
Raywaya Kodero koleu yowe Asuka- Raywaya son of Odero, son of Oleu oh Asuka.
Raywaya Kokello komoga yowe Asuka- Raywaya son of Okello, son of Ogoga oh Asuka.
Raywaya Kokoth Kodongo yaye Asuka- Raywaya son of Okoth, son of Odongo oh Asuka.
Raywaya Kamhoma Kawanga joge Asuka- Raywaya son of Mhoma, son of Wanga oh Asuka.
Raywaya Kamsango Kowuor joge Asuka- Raywaya son of Msanga, son of Owuor oh Asuka.
Raywaya kanyamayi Kowuor joge Asuka- Raywaya son of Nyamayi, son of Owuor oh Asuka.
Gir min Abiero jek ratego natim nadi- Son of Abiero’s Mother, Jack the strongest how will I be?
Gir min Owuor manyako natim nadi- Son of Owuor’s Mother the lady how will I be?
Raywaya gir min Ogilo Gaga natim nadi? - Raywaya son of Ogilo Gaga’s Mother how will I be?
Gir min Okumu James chieng’ atim nadi- Son of Okumu James Mother how will I be?
Raywaya gir min Owino chieng’ natim nadi? - Raywaya son of Owino’s Mother how will I be?
Raywaya gir min Onyango chieng’ natim nadi? - Raywaya son of Onyango’s Mother how will I be?
Raywaya gir min Odhiambo chieng’ natim nadi? – Raywaya son of Odhiambo’s Mother how will I be?
Raywaya gir min Odel Pundo natim nadi? – Raywaya son of Odel Pundo’s Mother how will I be?
Lweny mager Kodero Koleu wuod mama Ywaya Ahh Ywaya yaye Kodero baba- Confront the son of Odero, son of Oleu my brother Ywaya ohh Ywaya oh son of Odero father.
Nyagweno ndalo moro yand adhiyo loka- Nyagweno went abroad a long time ago.
Nyagweno ndalo moro yand adhiyo loka- Nyagweno went to Alego Kakula
Kang’onga mama yand adhiyo loka- Son of Alego from Kakula son of Ng’onga mother I went abroad.
Otundo osirawende Mayowe yaka idwaro huma- Every early in the morning, my people, they started to shout for me.
Ihuma-neye koko- They shout for me-here is ‘Koko’
Iluonga-neye Koko- They call me- here is ‘Koko’.
Idendo neye koko- They praise me- here is ‘Koko’.
Kod sat marachar- In a white shirt.
Kod Onyasa marabuor- And brown shorts.
Kofia chapa bunduk, chirindie yie nyaleng’a- The Cap that slaps a gun, the evading boat.
Nene aleng’o jogi duto ta leng’o kod gara itienda- I tricked all of them, pushed them on the other side with just the gara on my foot.
Wend owadwa nyere Asuka ahh- My brother’s song oh Asuka.
Wend owadwa joge Asuka- My brother’s song oh Asuka.
Raywaya yaye wuod Odero yaye Asuta- Raywaya oh son of Odero oh Asuka.
Aa Wuod muhoma Kawanga joge Asuka- Aa son of Mwuomba from Wanga oh Asuka.
Raywaya Kodero koleu yaye Asuka- Raywaya son of Odero, son of Oleu oh Asuka.
Kamsango Kowuor chieng’ natim nadi? – Son of Msango from Kowuor how will I be?
Ee Nyar Okoth Kodongo chieng’ natim nadi? – Ee daughter of Akoth son of Odongo how will I be?
Raywaya wuod Odero manene natim nadi? – Raywaya son of Odero whom how will I be?
Sulwa Omin Nyar joboro Komollo Kanam okeu go Oyieyo wariwo kata kod Obiero Kanyandong’ Kata go Ojwang’ Kokong’o wuon Odero chieng’ natim nadi- Brown brother of daughter from Boro son of Omollo from Kanam nephew of Oyieyo (Rat) we also add Obiero son of Kanyandong’ and Ojwang’ son of Okong’o father of Odero how will I be?
Aa wuon Okello chieng’ natim nadi- Aa father of Okello how will I be?
Raywaya wuod Odero yaye Asuka- Raywaya father of Odero oh Asuka.
Raywaya kamhoma yaye Asuka- Raywaya son of Mhoma oh Asuka.
Apenjna Kodero Koleu ere Asuka- Let me ask son of Odero from Koleu where is Asuka?
Inee wuon Ng’ala wuon Ogengo chieng’ natim nadi- You’ve seen father of Ng’ala, father of Ogengo how will I be?
Raywaya wuod Okoth Kodongo chieng’ natim nadi- Raywaya son of Okoth from Kodongo how will I be?
Sulwa nywol minu mamer onywol kadala ne ileo kapang- Brown your mother delivering in the village while you vanished in the city.
To ng’ato nono dak wachni bu mer manyur chal kama ng’ano oyanyi- Not even a single person can mention to you that your mother has delivered out of respect.
Muor koheri to ndiko ni mana barua ni nyathi kouna yiend amuonya- If your mother loves you, she will definitely write you a letter asking for medicine.
Mtoto kouna yiend amunya – Son send me some medicine.
Kijana kouna yiend amuonya kod taulo ariyo to ing’e ni mama manyur- Son send me medicine and two towels, that will tell you that your mother has delivered.
Raywaya kodero koleu wuod mama chieng’ natim nadi? – Raywaya son of Odero from Koleu son of my mother how will I be?
Waa Wuon Odero wowe natim nadi- Oh father of Odero Oh how will I be?
Raywaya wuod Okello yaye natim nadi- Raywaya son of Okello oh how will I be?
Wuod Okoth Ochiego chieng’ natim nadi- Son of Okoth Otiego how will I be?
Wuod nyiboro maKomollo yaye Asuka- Brother of Thurma son of Omollo oh Asuka.
Ojiri wuod Okello yowe Asuka- Ojiri son of Okello oh Asuka.
Koro oriti wuod Odero Koleu wuod Ngala Kogengo kata kod Akeyo go Okello baba dogi inindi bwana kanene Kameja Kajakokello Koboga- Now farewell son of Odero from Koleu son of Ngala from Kogengo and Akeyo and Okello father go back to sleep, go back to sleep Mr. like before son of Meja from Kokello Koboga.
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