‘Leka Dutigite’ has put Kigoma on world map

By Saumu Jumanne, The Citizen


LEKA DUTIGITE: the song, when it came, hit the airwaves like a tornado. Almost all radio and TV stations were caught in the wave. And suddenly many children across Tanzania villages, townships and cities were dancing to the tune, and adults were listening in alulation.

The song, Leka Dutigite, by a group of music stars originating from Kigoma Region, is one of the iconic numbers that comes in a generation and refuses to retire. I guess, 50 years down the road the song will be a folklore and forever embedded in the hearts and minds of several generations.

Its idyllic tune and lyrics are serene, soothing, inspiring and its spirit of patriotism lifts up higher the “Kigoma Lango la Tanzania”, which can be loosely translated as Kigoma the doorstep to Tanzania.

Listening to the song and later on watching its video, I realised it is the best ever advertisement I have seen or heard for marketing regional tourist attractions in the country; and it did not cost the Tanzania Tourism Board (TTB) or Kigoma Regional Authorities a dime. It was the efforts of individual musicians, who were brought together by Kigoma North MP Zitto Kabwe.

I wish TTB and the authorities in that region had taken full advantage of the song that has been a hit in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi and done more to market the region as a tourist destination. But then, if wishes were horses, indeed, beggars would ride.

For the Kigoma All Stars artistes, it was a job well done and they deserve our kudos. The region, alongside others like Lindi and Mtwara, for many years has been marginalised; and many of us held misconceptions that a song like Leka Dutigite wipes out, in a way, what other means may not have worked as well. For years, Kigoma’s importance was tied to being a gateway for refugees from DR Congo and Burundi. At one point the region hosted almost a million refugees. Most of those camps have since been closed. Leka Dutigite is an invitation for the world to go visit this beautiful region, boasting world class natural and historic attractions. There is the incredible Gombe National Park with its world famous chimpanzees; not to speak of waterfalls, as well as the historic site where Scottish Missionary and Explorer Dr. David Livingstone, presumed lost was found by Henry Morton Stanley, at Ujiji, famously exclaiming: “Dr David Livingstone I presume.” It is also the home of great champions and legends, Juma Kaseja, Kaseba etc.

The genius of Kigoma All Stars artistes is that it has made the region relevant to communities across East Africa, which cannot even pronounce Leka Dutigite fully, let alone grasp its meaning. The artistes were wise enough to spice most of the song with Kiswahili. Music has been known to make an average advert great and more enticing. The song is like one endless sweet advert that welcomingly screams: come and see great Kigoma. Talk of the best things in life being free. The epic is proof that our artistes can promote the national tourism sector and responsible authorities will be sleeping on the job, if they do not use our stars as domestic tourism ambassadors.

The government has been trying to make cultural tourism work. Success in this must incorporate music by young Tanzanians, instead of overdependence on folk songs or dances, even as much as they are important.

The music and tourism industries can work together to increase their relevance and ensure more revenue streams, more jobs as well as positively impact efforts at social and cultural transformation. I urge TTB and the ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism to seriously consider initiating a music-tourism strategy for national development.

In the meantime, Kigoma All Stars have shown us the way. With innovation and initiative in whatever we do, Tanzania can come up with incredible life-changing products. Imagine how happy, proud and inspired the children are about their region, Kigoma, thanks to Leka dutigite. This is a song, a product that has the potential to change the entire region for the best. If Leka dutigite was bread, flour, sugar made in Kigoma, it could have been the favourite for the East Africans. If it was a t-shirt, a hat or even a pair of trousers made in Kigoma, the story would have been the same, great for public consumption. Could that be the future, where Tanzania is headed?

Before the authorities make up their mind about using the song to promote tourism, maybe lawmaker Zitto Kabwe could organize an expedition, a Kigoma Leka Dutigite Tour, involving people from the East African Community, with the national media supporting such a worthwhile venture…