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Jambo Bwana

Jambo Bwana - A musical force of Good Will Forever!

For over 30 years, Jambo Bwana has been more than just a song, it’s been a cultural bridge, ...

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How Jambo Bwana Was Born !
Jambo Bwana Photo

The story began when Teddy Kalanda Harrison, inspired by an overheard conversation, decided to craft a song that would introduce visitors to the beauty of Kenya while teaching them simple Swahili phrases. Alongside his brothers in Them Mushrooms, Teddy wrote, performed, and recorded Jambo Bwana. The melody was infectious, the lyrics were easy to learn, and the message was pure joy and welcome.

Released in 1980, the single went on to sell more than 200,000 vinyl 45s in Kenya — a platinum milestone at the time. Overnight, Jambo Bwana became the soundtrack of a generation.

From Kenya to the World !

What started as a Kenyan phenomenon soon spread far beyond East Africa. The song traveled with tourists, airlines, and tour operators, finding its way into hotel lobbies, safari jeeps, and cultural festivals across the globe.

A Song That Never Stops Giving

In Kenya, Jambo Bwana has taken on a life far beyond music. It is sung at national celebrations, performed at cultural showcases, and embraced by the tourism industry as an unofficial anthem of welcome. Visitors leave the country humming it, while Kenyans recognize it as a proud part of their musical heritage.

The song’s impact has been so wide-reaching that many listeners around the world mistakenly associate its chorus and the phrase “hakuna matata” with Disney’s The Lion King. Online forums and fan discussions often debate whether Jambo Bwana was part of the film’s soundtrack — a testament to how deeply the song has seeped into global pop culture. While The Lion King popularized the Swahili phrase in a new context, Jambo Bwana had already carried the spirit of “no worries” across borders for nearly a decade.

Legacy and Cultural Power

From vinyl records to viral TikTok clips, from mountain treks to beach resorts, Jambo Bwana continues to be performed, adapted, and celebrated. More than four decades after its release, the song stands as a joyful invitation to experience Kenya’s culture, language, and warmth.

Teddy Kalanda Harrison’s vision with Them Mushrooms gave the world a gift: a melody that welcomes, a chorus that unites, and a rhythm that will continue echoing for generations to come.

Make Jambo Bwana Yours — The Right Way for Your Film, Ad, or TV Show!
Jambo Bwana isn’t just a song — it’s a heartbeat, a celebration, and a timeless anthem of joy that has connected people across the globe for generations.
Distributed worldwide by Blue Pie Records USA, published exclusively by Blue Pie Publishing USA (ASCAP), and proudly managed by ORDIOR, this classic’s legacy is protected and preserved in partnership with Them Mushrooms and the Teddy Kalanda Harrison Estate.

If you want Jambo Bwana to ignite your next campaign, film, TV show, or live performance,
securing the rights is simple: sales@ordior.com and license it the right way.

Keep the spirit alive. Keep it legal. Keep it global. Let Jambo Bwana power your project with the unstoppable energy of a true cultural anthem.
We have selected a few of the amazing cover versions of Jambo Bwana below. We hope you enjoy them as much as the band does.

© Blue Pie Publishing USA ( ASCAP) | Them Mushrooms & The Teddy Kalanda Estate 2025
www.bluepierecords.com| www.themmushrooms.com | www.ordior.com