Sudi Mavenge- 'Kibuguzo'

Sudi is one of the last living legends of rhumba, an Afro-Cuban musical style that was brought back by Congolese and Rwandan soldiers after World War 2 from Cuba. He is mainly known for his love songs, some of which he performed today. We had a quick chat with Sudi’s son Shukran, who told us he’s been playing guitar with his father since he was twelve (and indeed was taught by him to play), but who also sings and today he played percussion. Sudi’s other guitarist also used a set of drumsticks as his own percussion, tapping them together for a beat.

We recorded the following songs:

Ku Minini – this is a story about a boy who loved a girl, but they lived far apart – she was in Ku Minini and he was in Rwesero. The boy wouldn’t choose anyone local but instead would travel far to Ku Minini to go and see his love.

Gakoni Kabakobwa (Girl’s Pride) – this is about the courage and pride of Rwandan girls years ago. Even when they travel outside of Rwanda, they are characterised by their pride, it never changes.

Kantengwa – this was a deeply sad original story that inspired Sudi to write the song. A boy was in love with a girl, Kantengwa. They met for the first time but then the girl went back and had an accident and was hospitalised – the boy spent three weeks without knowing what had happened to her. The day he finally found out and was able to visit her in hospital was the day she died – he didn’t get to say goodbye.

Kibuguzo (a Rwandan board game) – this is about a Rwandan board game that people would bet their Inyambo cows for. If you won, you’d win two Inyambo cows. But if you lost, you’d donate your son to the King’s Palace to join the army. As the song says, if you’re going to play, be sure you’re ready.
Simbi – this is a love song for Sudi’s wife, Simbi. It’s about how back when he was 27, many boys were running after her but they had no plans for marriage – but he did so he wrote this song to attract her. And it worked. And he released the song two years after marrying her.

Agasaza (Old Man) – this is a traditional Rwandan song, the only non-original song we heard.

Agasaza: Magic Moment, Vocals Only

Recorded: 26.09.24
Location: Highland Suites Hotel, Kigali