The creation of a musical visionary, Kris Chali, in the late 70s, Amayenge formed with the goal of embracing the culture, language and music of all Zambia's 73 ethnic groups. At the same time, the group sought to make modern music that would translate to a broad listening, and dancing, public.

he band started as New Crossbones in the Southern Province town of Choma in 1978. Their idealistic mission worked well from the start, and they became one of the most beloved groups in the country. Many bands of this era succumbed to a poor economy, changing local tastes, the decline of the recording industry, and worst of all, AIDS, which has ravaged the community of Zambian musicians. Remarkably, Amayenge endured through the 80s and 90s, only growing stronger through adversity. In 2003, Chali died, but Amayenge continues to record and perform, an anomaly in the age of raga, rap and R&B, but a fortuitous one.

Contributed by: Banning Eyre