Ari Ri Ri Ri Ri | Kwame Rĩgĩi

A Gĩkũyũ rendition of Glorious by Stephanie Mabey
with rights from Stephanie Mabey.
The Gĩkũyũ lyrics (words) are the work of NedokaH Studios by Kwame Rĩgĩi.
NedokaH Studios

Produced by Moses Njoroge
Video by Qamah

Connect with Kwame for the latest updates!

Connect with Stephanie for the latest updates!

[MissG]

Dedicating this to my elder brother. He just fought through cancer. Yesterday was his last chemotherapy session.
Update... He was declared cancer free!

[williamnjeru]

Hizi likes ni za wale wanaskia sauti very unique👇👇

[thomasnyururu]

I used to listen to this song daily for two months straight. On my birthday I landed my dream job!
Ndakiugí-irwo ngemi ithano mani!!!

[andrewmwangi]

Who else is here in 2025 and still find this song as an antidepressant?

ciugo





•Nī kūrī hīndī
ūngīūrwo nī hinya
ta ūyū ūkuithītie ithe
ūteete mwīhoko
no ūkīrī o muoyo
menya harī gītūmi
warī igai ūtūūre wee
kuuma rīūmbīro

•īhaga īkiumwo
ndūgakue ngoro
wītiire

•Githī nduogīirwo ngemi
ari ri ri ri
ūgītiihīrwo na mata
na ūkīroongorerio mega 
wīgirie maithori
wī mwende nī ngomi
wī wa gūtheerema
wona wemenya
wī mūtooria

•Ndūkanakue ngoro
ona ūngīūkīra ūraarīire
nī gūkīaga ūtarī ūkīa
na ūririkane atī
rīthūaga na nduma
rīkaratha na ūtheri
wa Ngai

•īhaga īkiumwo
tiga gūkua ngoro
wī tiire

•Twī ūmīrīrie, tūtuīkanie
ūiyīiya iya ī 
twī ūmīrīrie, tūtuīkanie
ūiyīiya iya ī
twī ūmīrīrie, tūtuīkanie
ūiyīiya ī 
twī ūmīrīrie, tūtuīkanie
haiya iya ī

•Haha nūngiī
no niī na Ngai
haha nūngiī
no niī na Ngai 
haha nūngiī

•Githī nduogīirwo ngemi
ari ri ri ri
ūgītiihīrwo na mata
na ūkīroongorerio mega 
wīgirie maithori
wī mwende nī ngomi
wī wa gūtheerema
wona wemenya
wī mūtooria

Thai Thathaiya Ngai Thai.

[susanwanjiru]

Who is hear after might Salim burial ..this song has made me cry ..may God comfort the Salim family...piga like za Kwame Rigii

[shantokaris]

Ulikua umenyamaza sana..
Rwimbo rwega muno ..
Kudos man..
Piga like apa kama umeipenda

[NobertKiria]

Translation
There are times you lose all strength
Have no peace
Have lost hope
But you're still alive
Know There's a reason
You were meant to live from your creation

Drought is at its worst when it's almost over
Don't lose hope
Hang on
Didn't they ululate for you?
Ari RI RI RI
Bless you with spit ?
And destined you for good things
Wipe your tears
you are loved by the gods
You will succeed
Once you know yourself you're a winner

Don't lose hope
Even when you sleep hungry
Dawn always comes
Remember after darkness comes dawn
Rem

Drought is at its worst when it's almost over
Don't lose hope
Hang on
Didn't they ululate for you?
Ari RI RI RI RI
Bless you with spit ?
And destined you for good things
Wipe your tears
you are loved by the gods
You will succeed
We're it not so you wouldn't win

Let's persevere
we shall make it through
Ayeyaye *2

Sons and daughters of Mumbi
Are you at peace?
Didn't they ululate for you?
Bless you with spit ?
And destined you for good things
Wipe your tears
you are loved
You will succeed
Were it not so you wouldn't win


Cultural background
When a child was born the women ululated to celebrate and bless the child
Spitting by elders was a way of transferring blessings to them during the baby rocking ceremony.

[alexandramoll]

My name is Alexandra Mia...wangare..daughter of the Leopard. I stumbled across this song this year. So reminds me of my mother. She passed away 5 years ago at the beautiful age of 98.
My mother was kikuyu maasai. My dad English. They met in karatina before I independence when white and bkack was a non no. But they got married...65 yrs... and my Mother....Ngemi. bless you!

[FemiOne]

I’m a huge fan!! Love your songs very inspirational

[mikedramakingchizi]

I'm here listening to this song and last month i lost my mum to kidney failure and this song was part of my last moments with her till the last day and I want anyone who comes here to listen to this song to know that no matter what you go through that you will emerge victorious, you're a fighter and God will not forsake you, troubles never last, be yee encouraged you are loved and cherished 😊❤️

[shakygenevieve]

Nani amekuja kutafuta hii ngoma after kuiskia kwa burial ya mighty salim 😭😭😭😭Rip legend

[florenceweru]

Gulf team nipee like kama umelike hii song💃🕺

[terrynjuguna]

Kwame is very underrated...am sold to his voice..song writing skills ..music ..I love you Kwame..

[robertmungai]

Wow.. Kwame a good ambassador of Gīkūyū language.. Njamba ya Rúrīrī

[Its_hadassah]

Wapi likes za maasai jamming to this song. ❤❤I just can't have enough of this song❤2023 almost coming to an end but this song keeps me going ❤

[gkrephmain]

My God, this is phenomenal a really don't have words to describe Kwame. I sometimes feel like it's one of our old jamba cia gikuyu spirit reborn in this guy. I can't wait for the day that he will get the recognition that he deserves. God bless you Kwame, thai Ngai.

[collinsmango]

An a ja-ugenya mowuok yo musanda, Kakamega, lakini thumb ni mit aduwa... rwibo riri ni njega ta ngui! Traverses cultural limits, Speaks to the soul!

[Khh]

I heard this song today kwa burial ya salim..I have been searching it kwa YouTube since morning.i literally cried..goodluck to everyone searching for it...

[gloriamutuku]

Beautiful song, I'm not a Kikuyu but I love your music ...
Yours truly
Kamba fan