Music of the Animal Kingdom Lodge: En Mana Kuoyo by Ayub Ogada

The album En Mana Kuoyo was released by Kenyan singer Ayub Ogada in 1993.

One of my favorite aspects of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is the calming atmosphere of staying there. I spend a lot of time just walking around the Jambo House lobby and strolling through the hallways. The physical environment is just part of the story; it’s the music that sells the experience. A perfect example is the work of Kenyan singer Ayub Ogada, who has several songs on the resort’s soundtrack. He plays the nyatiti, an eight-stringed classical instrument from the Luo people of Kenya.

The two songs featured at the Animal Kingdom Lodge both appear on his 1993 debut album En Mana Kuoyo. Ogada was once a busker in London and had acted in films like Out of Africa under his birth name, Job Seda. The translation of “Just Sand” for the album title fits perfectly with the mood of Ogada’s songs. The music feels spare and helps create a relaxing, lush environment for the resort. He described the album (which was recorded in only three days!) as “my life encapsulated“, and you can feel the personal connection within each song. The music’s warmth fits within the comforting setting at Jambo House.

The lobby in the Jambo House at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge is such a relaxed setting. — Photo by Erin Heaton

A Truly Natural Setting

It’s surprising at first to realize that En Mana Kuoyo was recorded at an outdoor concert, not within a studio. However, it makes sense when you listen to the songs in that context because they feel so alive. I get that same impression when I’m exploring the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Ogada’s song “Dala” creates a beautiful tone when the supporting vocals merging seamlessly with the lead ones. He describes this song as a “spiritual home” and that “togetherness is strength and direction”. This vibe again fits with the comforting atmosphere inside the resort while it plays.

There’s a different approach with the other song “Ondiek”; the vocals are more direct here. Ogada reminds us to “watch out for those among us, and that within us, which is destructive” in providing context for the song. Regardless, it’s still a gorgeous track that fits well inside the Animal Kingdom Lodge. The sound of the nyatiti lyre really stands out here and provides upbeat pacing for the song. The name “Ondiek” is fairly common in Kenya and also means “hyena“, which fits with Ogada’s explanation.

What I’ve really enjoyed about this series is learning about African artists that deserve a lot more attention. Ogada created incredible music on this album and beyond during his extensive career. Sadly, he passed away at the age of 63 in 2019. His last recording, Kodhi, was released in 2015. You can hear “Dala” and “Ondiek” at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and should definitely check out more of his music.