Them Mushrooms: An artistic heritage
Them Mushrooms have for years been synonymous with catchy and unforgettable beats. According to their website, they are not merely a band but rather “a cultural institituion”. This has in so many ways been cemented by their global fame with their compositions appearing in films. Jambo Bwana, their 1982 hit gained global popularity and soon became a form of greeting that in a way allowed foreigners to start learning Swahili language, what journalist Fayaz Qureysh- in an interview with John Katana and billy Sarro- called “Swahili for the foreigner”. These nuances gradually catapulted the band into cultural icons and ambassadors.
The band, was founded in Nairobi in 1969 as “Avenida Success” by the Harrison brothers; Teddy Kalanda, Billy Sarro, George Zirro, John Katana, and Pius Plato Chitianda “Jibaba”, and rebranded to Them Mushrooms in 1972. Mushrooms hold different meanings in the African context. For some, their nature to grow together a s closely-knit cluster ma symbolize community. To others, they hold mystical and spiritual connections that keep people connected to their ancestral roots. Yest, to others, they symbolize growth and renewal. The Mushrooms, in every kind of way, are a product or manifestation of all these representations.
The band’s leader, Teddy pa
Did you know that while the Moi regime was reeling from the attempted 1982 coup, the Them Mushrooms band which was formed in 1972 released their hit song “Jambo Bwana”? The band, was initially founded in Nairobi in 1969 as “Avenida Success” by the Harrison brothers; Teddy Kalanda, Billy Sarro, George Zirro, John Katana, and Pius Plato Chitianda “Jibaba”, and rebranded to Them Mushrooms in 1972. The song “Jambo Bwana” went on to global popularity and soon became a form of greeting that in a way allowed foreigners to start learning Swahili language, what journalist Fayaz Qureysh- in an interview with John Katana and Billy Sarro- called “Swahili for the foreigner”.
Teddy Kalanda, the founding band member and the one who wrote “Jambo bwana” passed away at The Mushroom Villa, Kaloleni on 17th September 2024 after battling cancer. The band has proven over the decades that it is more of a cultural institution than a mere music band