Mountain adventurer bonds with local African guides over classic Irish song

Irishman teaches traditional song Rattlin' Bog to African mountain guides

A mountain adventurer taught a traditional Irish song to his African guides after they bonded over days of trekking.

After climbing the famous Mount Kilimanjaro Steven Curtis and his team celebrated by singing a rousing rendition of ‘Rattlin’ Bog’.

Curtis had spent the week hiking up and down Kilimanjaro along with 18 other thrill seekers.

Irishman teaches traditional song Rattlin' Bog to African mountain guides

Throughout the week their guides and daily porters kept their spirits high by teaching them African songs in Swahili.

The songs kept them motivated during the journey and when they had completed their mission, Curtis decided to return the favour.

He said: “Daily before, during or after their working day these guys made the time to perform and share Swahili songs with us to keep us motivated and our energy levels high for the days trekking.

“These guys work so hard up and down the mountain day and night… Carrying and setting up equipment, tents, food, tables, chairs, going to water sources, collecting water, cleaning water, cooking, carrying portable toilets and more. Not once in 7 days did I witness an argument amongst them. I can’t comprehend their energy and positivity.

“In return to thank them for their positivity on the last day we sang a song for the Tanzanians guides and Porter’s… Nothing says Irish sing song like the ‘Rattlin’ Bog’. It was electric, craic was 90.”

It looked like the African guides enjoyed the song as much as their Irish visitors.

Take a look at the video below.


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Written by Michael Kehoe @michaelcalling