Anyango Nyar Siaya
Real Name: Eriko Mukoyama
"The world’s first female Nyatiti player — bridging Japanese roots and traditional Luo heritage through the sacred 8-string lyre."
Listen & Stream
Biography & Cultural Journey
Breaking Tradition & Cultural Apprenticeship
Born Eriko Mukoyama in Tokyo, Japan, Anyango made history by becoming the first woman ever permitted to learn and master the Nyatiti—an 8-stringed sacred lyre traditionally reserved exclusively for Luo men. Drawn to Kenyan traditional music, she traveled to Siaya County, where she studied under legendary master Okumu K'Odero, adopting the Luo name "Anyango Nyar Siaya" ("Anyango, Daughter of Siaya").
Global Performance & Musical Style
Anyango's music fuses traditional Luo praise singing, fluent Dholuo poetry, and intricate Nyatiti plucking with global jazz, acoustic pop, and Japanese folk sensibilities. Over three decades of artistic activity, she has performed at major international festivals, cultural centers, and cross-cultural showcases across East Africa, Japan, and Europe.
Author & Cultural Ambassador
Beyond her musical career, Anyango is an author and cultural bridge-builder. Her autobiography, "Anyango Nyar Siaya," documents her journey breaking gender and cultural barriers to preserve and elevate the Nyatiti globally, fulfilling her master's wish to share the instrument's voice with the world.
Albums & EPs
- 2022
AOKO
Album
- 2021
KANKI
Album
- 2016
The Safari of Eriko Mukoyama
Album
- 2015
Savanna
Album
- 2014
Kilimanjaro
Album
- 2013
ALEGO
Album
- 2011
Tei molo
Album
- 2010
HORIZON
Album
- 2009
Nyatiti Diva
Album
Singles & Collaborations
- 2026
Nyatiti Ondo (World Version)
Single
- 2026
NYATITI ONDO
Single
- 2026
Opogore (Anyango Remix)
Single
- 2025
To Be Free
Single
- 2024
DUNIA (feat. Aska Maret)
Single