Sierra Leonean artist Janka Nabay passes on in Kambia

Popular Sierra Leonean traditional artist Ahmed Janka Nabay has died in his home in northern Sierra Leonean district of Kambia, according to his band colleague Pa Fullah.

Janka moved to the US in 2003 and returned home last year.

Nabay, known as the King of Bubu Music, played the traditional music of the Temne people of Sierra Leone, who dominate the northern part of the country.


The music, which has its roots in the Sierra Leonean Muslim tradition, is played with the traditional bamboo flutes.

Nabayy, 54, who died on Monday, was credited for being the first musician to record this version of music by reworking the bamboo flutes and metal pipes with electronic instrumentation, hence the tag, King of Bubu Music.

According to APA, The dreadlocked artist was best known internationally, especially in the United States, where he relocated in 2003 and returned only in 2017.

Nabay and his Bubu Gang band made the Bubu music popular in Brooklyn and Manhattan in the US.

Fans have taken to twitter to mourn the musician.

According to Karen Alonzo, janka nabay was so passionate about bringing the bubu sound of sierra leone to the world. it was such an honor to work with him – i was new to the music industry as a whole (like 2010) and he was the nicest human being ever. my heart is so sad 💛

Ruby B. Johnson‏ @Ruby_B_Johnson said: “Sierra Leone has lost a legend but his legacy lives on. RIP Ahmed Janka Nabay, King of Bubu music. Such an amazing man to have met and be around.”