Remmy Ongala | id

Remmy Ongala (1947–2010) and his Super Matimila Orchestra are without doubt Tanzania’s most well known band, and have performed many times in Europe and the USA. Remmy Ongala is originally from Zaire/Congo. He lost his mother when he was nine years old and had to take on the responsibility of raising his siblings. As a 17-year-old he was in a youth band, Bantu Success, as a singer and drummer. This was not popular with his family, so Remmy had to leave the band. Two years later he was again involved with music when as a guitarist he joined a few...

Remmy Ongala and his Super Matimila Orchestra are without doubt Tanzania’s most well known band, and have performed many times in Europe and the USA. Remmy Ongala is originally from Zaire/Congo. He lost his mother when he was nine years old and had to take on the responsibility of raising his siblings. As a 17-year-old he was in a youth band, Bantu Success, as a singer and drummer. This was not popular with his family, so Remmy had to leave the band. Two years later he was again involved with music when as a guitarist he joined a few groups,...