Despite being very conversant with his music, many know little about this legend in the Kalenjin secular music industry. His name is Paul Kipng'eno Araap Korgoren but he was nicknamed Paul Chwarachwara of Olesoi band. He was born in 1952 at Olesoi village in Chepalungu, Bomet county. Chwarachwara belongs to Kapkechwoek clan of the Kipsigis whose totem is a crested crane and falls under Kebeni war division. After his circumcision in 1968-69, under Korongoro age set, he joined class three in 1975 and dropped out in 1977 and joined secular music industry in the same year.
In 1977 he joined Chamasis band led by sons of Kipsamaek clan who were retired GSU officers, Joel Araap Kileges and Alexander Araap Kering. Chwarachwara recorded with them, the famous track, King'alin ng'o Chepkurgat asi ibar lakwet.
After sometime, he detached himself from Chamasis band and joined his late elder brother, John Kamiti Korgoren. They recorded many songs among them, Loliondo Kapsupero and Malakwen.
Despite having forgotten the dateline of some of the engagements with other legendary artists, he remembers performing with legends like Charles of Kipsuter sounds, Joseah Chelal of Rita Chebii. He eventually became a senior and mentored Paul Subembe Langat in early 1990s, where they recorded Penina in 1994.
Long live my friend Paul Chwarachwara, from Olchore The Anthropologist
23 авг 2024
