The Obokano of Kisii: Music, Healing, and Cultural Wellness in Kenya
- Annah Okero
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
The very first time I heard the deep, low-pitched hum of the Obokano, I was only seven years. Its bass-like tone drifted through the air from a distance, pulling everyone outside to see a sound that not only carried identity and belonging but also a rhythm known to soothe and restore the spirit.
That day, I learned that girls, women, and children were not allowed to go any closer; the ritual belonged to the boys, who were being transformed into men. From that moment, I understood that the Obokano was more than an instrument. It was a pulse of unity, a marker of identity, and a tradition carried through generations. Traditionally, only men were allowed to play, as women were warned that it could bring infertility.
Among the Abagusii (Kisii) people of western Kenya, that same pulse of music has always been more than entertainment. It has been a vessel of history, spirituality, and healing. At the heart of this tradition is the Obokano, a large lyre whose deep, resonant tones echo across generations. It accompanies ceremonies, storytelling, and community bonding, weaving people together in both joy and resilience.
Beyond its artistry, the Obokano carries lessons for wellness, offering balance, belonging, and emotional renewal in ways that remain vital even today.
The Obokano and Kisii Culture
The Obokano is a traditional lyre consisting of a wooden frame, strings (traditionally made from animal gut), and a resonator covered with hide. Unlike smaller lyres from other regions, the Obokano is large and produces a distinctively deep, buzzing sound. Its unique design and tonal quality make it not only a musical instrument but also a cultural symbol.
Historically, the Obokano was played during significant social and cultural events. Skilled musicians, often respected as community historians and custodians of oral tradition, used the instrument to accompany songs of praise, initiation ceremonies, funerals, weddings, and communal dances. Through the music, the Kisii people preserved genealogies, conveyed moral lessons, and passed down ancestral wisdom.
One of the elders said:
“For me, the Obokano reminds me of bware i.e the initiation ritual that marked my passage into adulthood. I still remember the connection and the powerful vibe in the air the day we were finally let out, after seven days of seclusion to heal. The sound of the instrument carried a sense of belonging, linking me back to my real people and blood.”
The act of playing the Obokano was not an individualistic endeavor but a communal one. Audiences participated through singing, clapping, or dancing, creating a shared experience that reinforced collective identity. In this sense, the Obokano was a unifying cultural thread.
Music as a Pathway to Wellness
The relationship between music and wellness is universal, but in Kisii culture, the Obokano embodied this connection in a deeply rooted way. Its role extended beyond entertainment, functioning as a tool for healing, balance, and resilience.
Mental and Emotional Wellness
The deep, rhythmic vibrations of the Obokano have long had a calming effect, creating a meditative atmosphere that eased anxiety and encouraged reflection. In a society without formal therapy, music itself became a form of emotional healing. Through song, sadness and grief could be released, allowing both individuals and communities to process emotions together. Even at funerals, mourning songs performed with the Obokano were more than ritual; they were therapy, offering a collective outlet for pain and a path toward healing.
Modern psychology affirms music’s power to reduce stress, regulate mood, and build resilience, an understanding that the Kisii already practiced through the Obokano, anticipating today’s music therapy.
Social Wellness
Wellness in the Kisii culture has always been collective. A person's well-being was tied to the harmony of the community. The Obokano played a vital role in reinforcing this social fabric.
During communal gatherings, the Obokano’s music united people, creating a sense of belonging across generations through shared songs and dances. These events fostered social cohesion, which protected against the harms of isolation and strengthened overall wellness. The instrument also served as a cultural teacher, carrying stories and moral lessons that instilled respect, hard work, and responsibility, nurturing balanced individuals and a harmonious community.
Spiritual Wellness
For the Kisii, music and spirituality were inseparable, and the Obokano connected the living with ancestral spirits. Its melodies were believed to invite blessings, guidance, and protection, fostering hope, purpose, and resilience. This spiritual connection gave people strength and a sense of belonging, making it an essential part of overall wellness.
Spirituality and music are deeply linked. As one elder explained,
“When the Obokano is played, it feels like a prayer rising to Enkoro. The sound carries our cries and our thanks to God.”
Physical Wellness
Though played by plucking strings, the Obokano’s music was rarely alone, often joined by dance that expressed joy, unity, and served as exercise. Kisii dances, driven by its rhythm, built stamina, coordination, and fitness. For players, mastering the instrument demanded focus and strengthening motor skills. In this way, the Obokano promoted physical wellness for both performer and community.
As one musician told me,
"The perfect sound of the Obokano only comes when it has dried for a long time; new ones are never preferred”.
Lessons for Modern Wellness Practices
The role of the Obokano in Kisii culture highlights timeless principles about the relationship between art, health, and community. In today's context, where stress, isolation, and lifestyle-related illnesses are everyday concerns, these lessons remain relevant.
Music therapy: The Obokano calmed the mind and eased stress, much like modern music therapy.
Community wellness: Its gatherings built unity, reducing loneliness and strengthening bonds.
Holistic health: It nurtured emotional, spiritual, social, and physical well-being, reflecting a holistic approach.
The Obokano is more than music; it is the heartbeat of Kisii culture. Its deep tones have long offered healing, unity, and spiritual grounding. By weaving together mental, emotional, social, spiritual, and physical wellness, it shows that proper health is holistic and communal. In today's fragmented world, the Obokano remains a timeless reminder that music can heal, connect, and uplift.
About the author: Annah Okero is an African cultural writer passionate on the intersections of tradition, identity, and wellness.
