THE VOICE OF PRAISE: Praise, worship weapons of spiritual warfare

SIMBARASHE MSASANURI
Dar es Salaam

MUSIC is an art form whose medium is sound and, though there are lot of common elements such as pitch, rhythm and dynamics, talent is what makes musicians. Many people have failed to make it in the music industry because they lack the talent to produce products that easily win the hearts of listeners.

It is only those with natural talent who can capture the attention of people and make an impact in an industry saturated by reputable musicians who are already household names.

The latest offing, a debut album, recently unleashed by The Voice of Praise, titled 'Tunakuabudu', is clear testimony that the voices behind the compositions are not mere pushovers and are destined for greater heights.

Listening to the album is a lifetime opportunity that leaves one craving for more, something that shows that the compilation was done in a manner that exhibits artistic prowess. It shows that, the two musicians behind the group, Anchilla Kimaro and Athanas Chagula, possess natural talent that will take them places.

Having a chance to watch these two perform is something that will leave people's lives changed for ever. And, this reporter besides having had a chance to witness one of the performances, managed to catch up with the musicians to tap more into the people behind the melodious voices.

“The name of the group was derived from Isaiah 43 verse 21 and 1 Peter 2 verse 9, that points out that people were created to praise God,” says Kimaro, adding that when God created man, He gave him one of the most unique instruments, the voice, which besides being a communication tool is meant to praise Him.

She added that it was last year when as a choir leader, she saw a gift in Athanas and decided to combine efforts and come up with an album.

On the topic of the album, Athanas says that it is in line with the name of the group because you can't praise somebody you don't worship. “The title of the album, 'Tunakuabudu', we are praising God and we urge people to praise Him with all their their being, resources and whole heartedly,” he adds.

The eight-track album, does not only depict maturity in the manner the songs are arranged but also contains bible-rich lyrics that easily ushers listeners into praising and worshiping God. The song 'Alpha and Omega' is a gem of a song that shows that only the sky is the limit for the two musicians as raw talent is at its best.

The song reminds Christians that God is the beginning and end of their lives to such an extent that without Him, they can't do anything. “He is above everything, there is no one we can trust rather than him and He is able,” says Kimaro.

Another song that is poised for greater heights is 'U Mwema'. “It talks about the goodness of God. It testifies about God's goodness. In this song, we used four languages, Swahili, Sukuma, Haya and Nyakusa,” says Athanas.

'Ni Wewe Tu' is another song that can easily win the hearts of listeners. The worshiping song focuses straight to God. “we are telling him that he is the only one in our lives. When we are blessed or challenged we go to him.”

'Tunakuimbia Sifa', 'Wewe Ndiwe Nguzo', 'Tunakuabudu' and 'Utawala' complete the album. They exhibit not only talent but maturity and will undoubtedly send shocking waves within the music circles, taking the talented musicians to another stage.

To show that talent runs in their veins and were born natural musicians, their talents can be traced as far as tender age. Kimaro was born in Nkaka Village, Nkenge District in Kagera Region and is the fifth born in a family of six children.

As if to prepare her for the task ahead, she enrolled at Kashasha Primary School, attended Kibasila Secondary School before crossing the border to enroll with Shallom Teachers' Training Centre in Nairobi.

Now, a teacher at Kingdom Heritage Model School in Dar es Salaam, Kimaro remembers that she liked singing and playing drums from a tender age. She joined church choir when she was in grade two and she was the attraction then as she used to sing with old people. This was not the end as at school she joined the school choir.

“When I got born again in 1985, one of the things that made me to be born again was the choir. I thank God because being in the choir made me to grow spiritually,” says the soft-spoken Kimaro, adding that she joined the Winners Chapel in 1997 and was one of the founding members of the choir in Dar es Salaam and have been singing in that choir ever since.

“I am one of the praise leaders in the choir and through the teaching I was getting, I realised that to me it's a gift and I decided to work on it. I have been reading books from our Bishop David Oyedepo and pastors working under him,” she adds.

Married to Fredrick Kimaro and blessed with four children, Kimaro thanks her husband for encouragement and being there for her. “ God has blessed me with four children and they are all singers to an extent that they can compose songs,” she says.

On the other hand, Athanas was born in 1984 in Geita District, Mwanza Region. And, just like Kimaro, he started singing at a tender age and has been singing with different groups since then. He also remembers singing with different groups in Shinyanga before moving to Dar es Salaam in 2003 where in 2004 he joined the AIC Dar es Salaam Choir until 2007.

“I then moved to Kitunda PATMO where I was a praise and worship leader up to 2008 in July when I joined Winners Chapel and have been there up today as a choir member and as one of the praise leaders,” says Athanas, adding “I thank God I met my sister here (Kimaro) and this is just but the beginning of where we are going.”

Kimaro interjects: “Everything one needs to reach his destiny is arranged. Athanas is an orphan, when he told me his story, I told him that what will take him further is in him. While he is doing his studies, it's good but there is something in us, you don't need to go to school for you to use your gift.”

She adds that as they named their album, they believe they are singing to praise God. “ We are not doing business, people will buy but our aim is that we want people to worship God,” adding that, we want to tell people that praising and worshiping God, when they do it with understanding they will get breakthroughs.

“Singing and praising God is one of the weapons you can use to defeat Satan. It is a weapon of spiritual warfare and it's more than dancing and jumping. People should do it with meaning,” she says elaborating that she has practiced what she is teaching as she is a living testimony of praising and worshiping.

“I don't know going to hospital and getting admitted, even with my children. It has been a weapon of warfare. I believe God even I am sick,” she adds.

On their future plans in the music industry, the musicians say that they were believing God for a DVD album and that people should be on the look out for another gem soon.