Katawa Singers

Last updated
Katawa CCAP Singers
Origin Mzuzu
GenresElectronic gospel
Years active1980–Present
Labels
    • MBC Chichiri Studios
    • Malawi Broadcasting Station
    • 1000HZ Records
Past members
    • Auden Nthala
    • Thomas Lupeska
    • Eliza Kachali
    • Grey Mwanza
    • Andrea Kamanga
    • Mirriam Mhango
    • Eliot Msiska
    • Telita Moyo
    • Perfect Shawa
    • Ruth Kachali
    • Alice Luwinga
    • Yohane Njunga

Katawa C.C.A.P. Singers is Malawian choir group that emerged in the early 1980s and rose to fame in the 1990s. [1] [2] [3] It got its name from a township in Mzuzu and the group started during a fundraising initiative that was intended to construct a Presbyterian church in Katawa area in 1990. [1] [2] [4] [5] The initiative was organised by Allen Mtambo and Reverend Peter Mushanga, as well as Pickford Jungu. They started producing electronic gospel music when they received a Yamaha keyboard from donors that were visiting the church then. [1] The group won several awards, including the Malawi Broadcasting Station (MBC) award. [1]

Contents

The choir made its first recording in 1992. It also recorded its four initial songs at MBC Chichiri Studios with Auden Nthala, Thomas Lupeska, Eliza Kachali and Yohane Njunga. Some of their notable songs include Ambuye ndi bwera, Welawelako, Yesu Wali Kwiza and Uyimilire Nga Nga Nga. The group released its first album at Baptist Media Centre in Blantyre in early 1992. Their song Ambuye ndibwera (Lord is coming) which was done in Chichewa language made grand sales amounting up to 20 000 tapes. [1] In 1993, they released another studio album titled Chikondi Ndi Chanu (Love is Yours), which came with songs such as Ayehova Tawonani (Jehovah see), Kolesykani (Keep on holding), and I have Wandered. [1] The group later recorded its third album in 1994, which has songs such as Nyumba Yawadada, Likunozga Dzuwa and Nthawi Inatha which sold over 40,000 tapes in northern region. In 1995, the band recorded Ku Eden album. [1] [6] [7]

In 2023, the band revealed plans about going back to the studio to re-record their old songs. [8]

Selected studio albums

Wedding Special (1991)

Ambuye ndibwera vol. 2 (1992)

Chikondi Chanu vol. 3 (1993)

Mtamikani vol. 4 (1994)

Ku Edeni vol. 5 (1995)

Timbire Yesu vol. 6 (1996)

Tidziganizile vol. 7 (1997)

Ufulu (compilation 1991-1997) (1000Hz Records)

Source: [9]

Katula (compilation 1998 - 2023) (1000Hz Records)

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Jali, Pledge (2023-10-07). "Katawa Singers cherish 33 years of existence". The Nation Online. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
  2. 1 2 "Ufulu 1991-1997, by Katawa Singers". Modernizations1000HZ. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
  3. ↑ Times, The Daily (2023-04-27). "Katawa Singers to revisit old songs". African News Agency. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  4. ↑ BlackFacts.com. "Katawa Singers to revisit old songs - The Times Group Malawi". Blackfacts.com. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
  5. ↑ "Meet Malawi's Katawa Singers via the Retrospective 'Ufulu 1991-1997', PopMatters". PopMatters. 2020-04-16. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
  6. ↑ "KATAWA SINGERS / UFULU 1991 – 1997 | EL SUR RECORDS" (in Japanese). 2021-04-28. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  7. ↑ "The best albums of October 2023". PAM - Pan African Music. 2023-11-02. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  8. ↑ Times, The Daily (2023-04-27). "Katawa Singers to revisit old songs". African News Agency. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  9. ↑ "Ufulu 1991-1997, by Katawa Singers". Modernizations1000HZ. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
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