GAKONDO GROUP, Rwanda’s leading traditional music group, is working on its debut album set to be launched before the end of the year, The New Times has learnt.

According to Intore Masamba, the group’s director, the ‘Acoustic’ album is currently in production and dates for the launch will be communicated soon.

The album would comprise 12 singles, all recorded using traditional instruments including Inanga, Icyembe, Ingoma and Umuduri, Masamba said. 

But modern instruments including guitar and djembe would also be mixed in, he added.

Masamba said the album will be part of the group’s efforts to contribute to safeguarding the Rwandan culture through music and encouraging the youth to ‘love their culture than losing it to western influences’.

Gakondo group, which comprises eight traditional musicians, was formed early this year with the aim to keep Rwandan traditional music alive. The musicians include Jules Sentore, Daniel Ngarukiye, Sofie Nzayisenga, Michel Ngabo, Manu Habumuremyi, Lionel Mulinda, Abédé, Didier, Tamfum, Intore Masamba, Claude, Nyamaswa, Teta Birangwa, Maria Yohani, and Jean-Paul Samputu.

The group has staged several performances in Kigali, attracting hundreds of music lovers. The group is currently in a nationwide tour which will see them perform in several areas across the country.

Last week, the group performed in Muhanga, southern Province, where they treated music lovers to sounds of Rwanda’s rich traditional music.