Kasiva Mutua’s “Desturi,” a daring ode to African identity and resiliency, is released

Kasiva Mutua, a well-known female drummer from East Africa, has published her debut album, Desturi, which translates to “tradition.” 

The 11-track compilation weaves themes of love, women’s rights, spirituality, and ethnic pride into each beat, celebrating African ancestry, resiliency, and identity. Each song honors Africa’s distinct character while embracing contemporary development, pulsing with the continent’s heartbeat.

“Desturi is like a birthing ceremony—a space where my heart’s deepest conversations come alive, guided by the rhythms that have always moved me,” Kasiva says of Desturi, describing it as a very personal manifestation of her creative journey. It’s about examining our customs, deciding what works for ourselves, and allowing ourselves to just be.

One particularly noteworthy song is Twende Mbele, which is a hymn of fortitude and empowerment. With its abundance of instruments, it honors African culture, leadership, and togetherness while providing optimism among the continent’s problems. According to Kasiva, it serves as a rallying cry for advancement:

In order to encourage Africans from all walks of life to keep advancing socially, economically, culturally, and ecologically, I created Twende Mbele. We go closer to triumph, economic freedom, peace, and prosperity with each step we take.

By fusing Maloya rhythms from La Réunion with Chakacha from coastal Kenya and Isukuti from Western Kenya, another song, Ndikweteela, unites tradition with creativity. This combination of sounds demonstrates Kasiva’s capacity to respect her heritage while exploring novel aural realms.

Kasiva reimagines African music with Desturi, fusing daring inventiveness with deep traditions. The CD is a musical voyage that highlights Africa’s rich creative energy and honors resiliency.
Now available for streaming on all devices is Desturi.