A Possible Source For The Xhosa Word "Zampampam" That Is Used As A Title And/Or Refrain In Certain Amagwijo (Call & Response Songs)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post information about the South African invented musical instrument that is called "uMpampampa", among other terms. 

This post also presents my speculation that Mpampampa may have been the source for the Xhosa word "zampampam"

The Addendum showcases two YouTube videos of "Mpampampa" being played during a worship service and during a Gospel concert. by , and one video of a gwijo with the title "Zampampam".

The second showcased video showcases a 2012 video of audience members at a Joyous Celebration (Gospel) concert in South African playing small yellow versions of that instrument.

These aren't the only groups or occassions when the  uMampampa.

The third also showcases a YouTube video a gwijo with the title "Zampampam".. 


The content of this post is presented for etymological and cultural purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to all those who are associated with the videos that are showcased in this post. Thanks also to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.

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DISCLAIMER:
I am an African American who doesn't read or speak any language but English.

I don't have any direct knowledge of South African culture and the only information that I have about that culture and the Xhosa language is from my reading on and off the internet.

I'm aware that my conclusion about the source for the Xhosa word "zampampam" is speculation.  

I'm interested in reading comments about this speculation.

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WHY I THINK THAT THE WORD "MPAMPAMPA" MAY HAVE BEEN THE SOURCE FOR THE WORD "ZAMPAMPAM"
-The word "mpampampa" and the word "zampampam" are both from the isixhosa language.

-The word "mpampampa" and the word "zampampam" have similar spellings. 

-The word "mpampampa" appears to predate the Xhosa word "zampampam".

-Both the word "mpampampa" and the word "zampampam" are both used in musical context and are both of onomatopoeia* words.

*onomatopoeia words" - words that are formed from a sound associated with what is named (e.g. cuckoo, sizzle )...

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INFORMATION ABOUT UMPAMPAMPA (MPAMPAMPA)
"Mpampampa" is one Xhosa language name for a hand held percussive instrument that resembles a small pillow. Read the comments in this post's discussion thread for additional names that have been used or are still being used in South Africa for this instrument.

Here are some quotes about mpampampa". These quotes are given in no particular order and are numbered for referencing purposes only. 

Quote #1
From https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/44f5/464c1570df0258d80affad087a77371f5782.pdf "Echoes of orality in Christian Xhosa songs" by M.M. Somniso

School of Language, Media and Communication

Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (PORT ELIZABETH)
"Umpampampa: An umpampampa is a Bible-sized cushion covered with leather. It is held in one hand and beaten with the other. This is done to produce more sound and to regulate the rhythm."...

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Quote #2
From https://researchspace.ukzn.ac.za/xmlui/bitstream/handle/10413/5102/Malembe_Sipho_S_2005.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y "South African popular Gospel Music In the Post-Apartheid Era: Genre, Production, Mediation and Consumption" [by] Sipho S. Malembe

Submitted in partial fulfillment of the degree Masters in Music (MMus),

At the School of Music at the University of KwaZulu-Natal

Howard College

..."A number of early artists/groups stood out remarkably, in clearly demarcating and defining the genre of local 'Gospel'. Without going into depth with their music, I want to highlight a few such artists/groups. One of the very early 'Gospel' groups is Amodadana aseWesile. This group began in the mid 70's. Their music is hymnal, which is a direct influence of the missionaries' music. Their music is also characterised by translating well-known missionaries' hymns into local indigenous languages, as pointed to by Muwowo, in Table 2.1.

As he suggested, this translation alters the rhythm into a more African-oriented one. The music also has a forward-driving, danceable rhythm. The very use of the percussive sounds, like 'tshiiif called 'isifutho', and 'isqamelo', a small hand-held pillow like instrument; to emphasise certain beats of the bar in a phrase, emphasises and strengthens the rhythm of the music."
-snip-
I've added italics to highlight that sentence and that portion of a sentence..

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Quote #3
From https://open.uct.ac.za/bitstream/handle/11427/29287/thesis_law_2018_perkins_grainne.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y "Danger and Death: Organisational and Occupational Responses to the Murder of Police in South Africa – a Case Study." [by] Gráinne Perkins
..."Glossary

 [...] “uMpampampa Handmade drum, onomatopoeia word owing to the sound it makes when struck, i.e. mpa-mpa-mpa”
-snip-
[more from that google search entry
“…. the handle allowed it to be held in one hand and beaten by the other free hand.. In the isiXhosa language the pillow is called the 'uMpampampa'.

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Quote #4
From the discussion thread for Joyous Celebration - Hi Hanya Mahala (Live at Carnival City, 2012)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsUa2rENH4Y

1. debo adediran, 2018
"i have been listening to this songs for years. its hasnt gone dry in my ears. GOD was truly in the concert. pls whats the yellow thing they used to clap called and any suggestions where i can get it pls? thank you"

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Reply
@Mr R, 2018, 2018
2. "debo adediran
"Traditionally, the Methodist Church which has influenced the gospel music and dancing in the RSA has been using cushions to bring out a beat when singing. Such beats were sometimes done without musical instruments. It is therefore upon such background that th e popular Methodist feel is brought into the Joyous Celebration concerts."

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INFORMATION ABOUT ZAMPAMPAM
This content is quoted in https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2025/06/general-information-about-south-african.html "General Information About (South African) Gwijo & Information About Amagwijo ("Gwijos") That Have The Title "Zampampam" "

Pancocojams Editor's Note:
"Zampampam" is a word that is found in a number of amagwijo (the plural form of the Xhosa word "gwijo" since at least July 6, 2024 when a video with that title that was lead by General Gee was published on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnU0oc0dhX0 [video given in the Addendum of this post]

That gwijo and other amagwijo with the title "Zampampam" and/or with the word "zampampam" used as a refrain have become quite popular in South Africa and in some other African nations.

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"Zampampam" appears to less frequently spelled "zampampa" or "zampapa".

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Based on the Zampampam videos that I have watched and their discussion threads, it appears to me that most amagwijo with the title "Zampampam" have the same or similar rhythm, tune, and tempo, but have different lyrics except for the refrain "Zampampam". 

[...]

AI Notes About Zampampam

Pancocojams Editor's Note:
The following AI notes are the result of a question that I posted about "Zampampam" on June 21, 2025 and the result of a question that I posted on June 23, 2025

My question #1 - What is the English meaning of the South African gwijo Zampampam"?

AI Overview-
"Gwijo zampampam" is not a standard English phrase or a universally recognized South African expression. "Gwijo" refers to a style of collective singing, particularly within Xhosa culture, often done in a call-and-response format. "Zampampam" appears to be a nonsensical or onomatopoeic sound, possibly added to the gwijo for rhythmic or playful effect. It doesn't have a direct English translation.

Here's a breakdown:

Gwijo:

A form of communal singing, primarily associated with Xhosa culture in South Africa, characterized by call-and-response patterns.

Zampampam:

This is not a standard Xhosa or South African word. It seems to be a playful, rhythmic sound, possibly used to add emphasis or a specific rhythm to the singing."

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My question #2- What is the Xhosa meaning for Zampampam?
"AI Overview

There's no direct Xhosa word "Zampampam" with a widely accepted, defined meaning.

Based on the search results, it seems "Zampampam" is used in the context of Xhosa culture, particularly within the genre of "Gwijo". Gwijo is a type of South African music often characterized by call-and-response and energetic vocals.

While it might not have a formal definition, the context of its use suggests it could function as:

An exclamation or chant within Gwijo music, adding emphasis or energy.

Part of a specific song or phrase within the Gwijo style that has a particular meaning within that musical tradition.

Think of it like an "oh yeah!" or a catchy phrase in a song that doesn't have a literal translation but carries a lot of feeling and energy in its context.

In summary, "Zampampam" doesn't have a typical dictionary definition in Xhosa, but it's used within the context of Gwijo music and likely serves as an expressive or energetic element within that genre.."

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ADDENDUM: SHOWCASE VIDEOS
These videos are numbered for referencing purposes only.

Showcase Video #1 - URCSA Khayelitsha Ndikhangele Ngobubele 334*

Sivuyisiwe Lutango, Mar 14, 2018
-snip-
*Commenters corrected this title indicating that the hymn is actually #86 in that standard church hymnal. 

This video shows some members of Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa (URCSA), a South African Christian denomination. Click https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uniting_Reformed_Church_in_Southern_Africa for information about this Christiain denomination. Note that a quote given above mentioned that members of a South African Methodist denomination use/d these same or very similar clapping devices. However, URCSA isn't a Methodist denomination. 

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Some comments from this video's discussion thread that are given in this pancocojams post's discussion thread below includes some other names for this musical instrument.

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Showcase video #2 - Joyous Celebration - Hi Hanya Mahala (Live at Carnival City, 2012)



My JOYOUS Celebration, August 9, 2019

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsUa2rENH4Y
-snip-
This video doesn't mean to imply that all past Joyous Celebration audiences or any current Joyous Celebration audiences play this hand clapping instrument during their concerts. 

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Showcase Video #3 - Zampampam (Gwijo) | Lyrics

Pistole Gwijo,  Jul 6, 2024  #gwijokings #gwijo #pistolegwijo

By General Gee

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnU0oc0dhX0

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