It was not easy to play the instrument, because it had never been played by a woman. But she did not give up and tried to master it until she became the first female nyatiti player in the world.
She has been named as an inspiration by Kenyan Suzanna Owiyo, who has taken up the nyatiti.
Activities
In December 2005, she played to over a thousand people at the Bomas of Kenya as the first foreign performer since the independence of Kenya.
In 2006, she had performed in ceremonies of the United Nations consecutively for three years.
In July 2009, she was selected among "the 100 Japanese most respected people" in the Newsweek Japan.
In September 2009, she released her first solo album titled "Nyatiti Diva."
In May 2010, she released her second solo album titled "Horizon."
In August 2010, she appeared on the stage at the Fuji Rock Festival, which is the largest outdoor music event in Japan.
In December 2010, the second album "Horizon" was selected as one of "2010 CDJournal best disk 100" in CDJournal, which is the most famous music magazine in Japan.
In February 2011, she left for France to make a new album. Sally Nyolo, who was a member of Zap Mama, produced this Album and recorded with Anyango at four places in France and Cameroon. In July, she released her CD "Koe wo Kikasete" and published a book "Motto Toku e". The book was ranked first in the music section of "Amazon Japan". In September, she will release her third album "Teï molo".
In August 2012, she published a book, "Anyango no Shin-Yume wo Tsukamu Hosoku", which was ranked first in the non-fiction section of "Amazon Japan". In July, she visited France and performed in Paris and Bordeaux. In October, she performed in Izumo-Taisha Grand Shrine, which is one of the most ancient shrines in Japan.
In 2013, regular concert named "Anyango Promenade" is held in Japan. This event is also a memorial event of Kenya's 50th Independence Jubilee. In March, she performed at "Mvet Art Festival" in Strasbourg France.
In May her interview was published in "Japan Journal", and she appeared on the cover of that issue. During her World Tour 2013, She performed in Italy, Germany, France and Kenya. She has acted a radio personality of NHK WORLD Swahili for 3 years. A documentary of Anyango "My African Music" was broadcast via NHK WORLD TV channel.
"Nyatiti Diva" released in September 2009, is her first album. All tunes are acoustic sound without electric, they are traditional Luo songs arranged by Anyango.
"HORIZON" released in May 2010, is Anyango's second album. This album has evolved in more pop and groovy as accompanied with her back band and chorus. Some tunes are traditional Luo songs, except "Nkosi sikelel'i Afrika," arranged by Anyango, and some tunes are new songs written by her.
