"Honouring my father": Kenyan lady plays Rhumba, dances around dad's coffin
This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.
- Immah Kerubo paid tribute to her late father by playing his favourite Rhumba, Lingala and Zilizopendwa music at his burial
- The family joined her in dancing around the coffin in a send-off that reflected the man's deep love for the classic East African genres
- Kerubo shared the emotional moment on social media, describing it as a special Mapangala-style farewell for her father
A Kenyan woman chose the most personal tribute possible for her late father: filling his burial with the sounds he loved most in life.
Immah Kerubo shared a video on Facebook on August 19, 2026, showing how her family sent off her father to the strains of Rhumba, Lingala and Zilizopendwa, the classic East African genres that had been the soundtrack of his life.
Kerubo and her relatives dance around the coffin
The caption she posted read: "When your late dad was a great lover of Rhumba/Zilizopendwa/Ringala and you honour him in a special Mapangala way on his final send-off."
Rather than a solemn, silent farewell, Kerubo and her relatives danced around the coffin as the music played, turning the moment of grief into a celebration of who her father truly was.
The decision to weave music so deeply into the burial ceremony reflected a belief held by many Kenyan families: that honouring the dead means reflecting their personality, not only their passing.
What is Mapangala?
Mapangala is a reference to Samba Mapangala, one of the most celebrated names in East African Rhumba, whose infectious rhythms have moved dancers across the region for decades.
By invoking his name, Kerubo signalled that the music playing at her father's graveside was not just background sound but a deliberate, loving nod to the man's taste and spirit.
Zilizopendwa, which loosely translates to "songs that were loved," is a Swahili term used to describe timeless classics from the golden era of East African pop music.
Saying goodbye in way that truly captures somenone
For a generation of Kenyans, these songs carry deep memories of family gatherings, communal dances and simpler times.
That Kerubo's father grew up cherishing them says as much about his generation as it does about the man himself.
The video resonated widely, touching audiences who recognised in it something universal: the desire to say goodbye in a way that truly captures who someone was, beyond grief and formality.
Man sing emotional tribute sing at father's funeral
In another story, TUKO.co.ke shared details about a poignant moment at businessman Mbongi Xolo's father's funeral, where he led mourners in an emotional tribute song captured in a TikTok video.
Many viewers were moved to tears, recalling their own personal losses as they witnessed Xolo's brave act of honouring his father through song instead of traditional eulogies.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.