How social media and smartphones are fueling a Maasai music revival in Kenya
By
Guardian staff reporter
Summary
This article explores how improved internet access and affordable smartphones are driving a music revival among Maa-speaking peoples like the Maasai and Samburu in Kenya. It profiles Julius Kesier (Kamurar Maasai), a musician blending traditional Maasai sounds with modern genres like hip-hop and reggae, and examines how digital platforms are enabling these artists to reach wider audiences while preserving and evolving their cultural heritage. The piece highlights the tension between tradition and modernity, the role of social media in cultural preservation, and how Maasai musicians are using their platforms to address contemporary issues like climate change, education, and peace.
Source
bskyHow social media and smartphones are fueling a Maasai music revival in Kenyatheguardian.comKey quotes
· 3 pulledNowadays, Maasai shoot with cameras, not spears.
They sing mostly about cows … and peace.
The spear he carries is purely for show.
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