dance your mama dance, dance your papa dance
-snip- The second game begins at 1:08 in this video.
**** Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post showcases a 2011 video of two examples of Nigerian children's show me your motion singing games that I refer to as "Disco Dance" and "If I Call Your Name".
My transcription of these games is given in this post along with my observations of how the girls and boys in the video played these games.
The content of this post is given for folkloric, cultural, and entertainment purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to the children who are featured in this video and thanks to the producer and publisher of this video on YouTube. -snip- This is part of an ongoing pancocojams post on circle formations for Black children's singing games, and other Black cultural activities. Click the "circle formation" tag below for more upcoming posts on this subject.
**** PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE I wrote this transcription of this video on March 30, 2021.
I first watched this video around 2018 and shared a draft transcription of the words to these singing games on that video's discussion thread. I wrote that my guess was that these games were Nigerian, based on the video publisher's name "Ibifunke".
I recall Ibifunke responding to my comment and confirming that these games were Nigerian. I also recall that she corrected some of my original transcriptions.
Unfortunately, that exchange of comments was lost after Feb. 28, 2019 when YouTube deleted all comments to most discussion threads for YouTube children's videos. [https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-47408969] . Also, regrettably, I can't find any of my notes about this video and I can't identify any pancocojams post that I might have published that includes these singing games.
Consequently, I’m not sure if these are the actual titles of these singing games. I chose these titles based on the words of these singing games.
If you know these games, please share information about them in the comment section below along with information about the names for these games and demographic information such as where (city, nation) you heard or performed these singing games, and when (year or decade) you heard or performed these singing games.. Thanks!
**** SINGING GAME #1: DISCO DANCE
Directions (given in italics):
Girls and boys form a circle.
Each child is assigned a number.
When that number is called, that child goes into the middle of the circle and
does a dance when the rest of the group sings “Come and show me your disco
dance”.
After dancing, the child in the middle exits the circle, the number of another child is randomly called, and the game begins again from the beginning with that new number being used in that song.
Number 1, come inside. Come and show me your disco dance. Ah this* and that. [*"This" sounds like "dis" to me in that video.] Ah this and that.
Number 3 come inside.
Come and show me your disco dance.
Ah this and that.
Ah this and that.
In the video that is embedded in this post, the "Disco Dance" singing game ends and the "If I Call Your Name Will You Come And Dance" game begins without any transition. If played separately, children form a ring and follow the other instructions given below.
If I call your name
Will you come and dance
If I call your name
Will you come and dance
If I call your name
Will you come and dance
If I call your name
Will you come and dance
[Someone in the group calls a name]
[Child's name]. Will you come and dance.
The girl or boy with that name moves into the center of the circle. That child stays in the middle of the circle and does a dance while the other
children sing:Do your mama dance
Do your papa dance.
See see see
See how he [or “she”] dance.
That child exits the circle and the song begins from the beginning with
another child’s name being called.
The content of this post is presented for cultural and recreational purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are featured in these videos, and all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to Tim Hull for his short film series of folk games including the film about Ampe and thanks to all the publishers of these YouTube videos.
****
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF AMPE
Ampe is a traditional Ghanaian children's competitive recreational children's (mostly girls) game that has been described as being similar to the hand game "rock, paper, scissors". Ampe is played by two people or two teams usually without chanting or singing. Two players at a time perform the basic movements of jump, (individual)* hand clap, followed by a jump with either the right or left foot extended. Read the rules of the game in Part I of this series.
-snip-
*individual hand clap (a person claps her or his own hand)
There are at least fifteen YouTube videos from 2009 - 2018 of Ghanaian children playing Ampe, including those videos that are featured in this post. Unfortunately, the comment feature has been disabled for most Ampe videos or those videos have few if any comments as of the time of the publication of this pancocojams post.
The globaltimoto.com short film whose link is given as "video #1" isn't featured on YouTube.
****
SHOWCASE VIDEOS
Video #1: Short & Tight
Kwamoso, Eastern, Ghana
Captured: 2007-01-04 ~ 2007-02-20
Published: 2007-02-24
Duration: 14:55
by globaltimoto.com (Tim Hull) https://www.globaltimoto.com/africa/ghana/games/ampe/videos/short-and-tight/
-snip-
Description:
"This video shows Ampe, a girls' jumping, dancing, clapping game from Ghana, that helps bring communities together and develop player skills of anticipation.
In this video we hear from young and old generations of Kwamoso to help celebrate 50 years of independence in Ghana."
-snip-
Here's a quote from that same website that explains the meaning of this film's title: https://www.globaltimoto.com/africa/ghana/games/ampe/
"The style of clothes is very important to the game of Ampe. Most important of all is that each girl should wear a short and tight skirt facilitating the necessary movement of the legs. This style of dress carries with it a chant from spectators "Okpeng" (Short) to which the participating girls would cheer "Odadwee" (Tight). It's obviously not only the game of Ampe that drew young men to these events, but also the girls' daring fashion."
****
Video #2: Ghanaian children playing Ampei in village of Hamdia, near Tamale, Ghana
CrockKneeBoy, Published on Mar 8, 2009
Ghanaian children playing Ampei in village of Hamdia, near Tamale, Ghana
****
Video #3: Ampe (a ghanaian children's game)
Soul Sounds, Published on Sep 6, 2008
Some footage of a very popular game played by little girls in ghana.
-snip-
The narrator indicates that Ampe is similar to the “Rock, paper, scissors” hand game.
****
Video #4: Ghana trip ♥ : What is Ampe?
MimiOnliine, Published on Sep 6, 2012
Children showing me how Ampe is played. And this video shows that boys can also play Ampe :)
****
Video #5: Childrien playing Ampe. Akwamufie presbyterian school. Ghana.
Karl Holm, Published on Apr 13, 2018
****
Video #6:Ghanian ladies Games
ABAN TV GH
Published on Jun 28, 2017
Playing Ghanaian woman Games
-snip-
I added the following two comments to this video's discussion thread:
Azizi Powell, June 24, 2019
"Hello, Ghanaian sisters. I'm an African American woman who happened upon this video while looking for videos of the children's game Ampe.
Are these traditional Ghanaian children's (mostly girls) games and are they still being played by children nowadays? What are the names of each of these games and explain what is being sung or chanted.
Thanks in advance.
Bless up!"
**
Azizi Powell, June 24, 2019
"I'm asking about the other games beside Ampe which I recognized in this video, although I'm still not sure how to play it :o("
-snip-
Here's a reply to these questions from the video's publisher:
ABAN TV GH, June 25, 2019
"hello sister Azizi yes Ampe still play mostly at small towns and villages Amepe have some words which is not really a song , in this video you saw Ampe and Aso, ( Asɔ ) so Asɔ is the girls game come with songs . . ...."
**
REPLY
Azizi Powell, June 25, 2019
"@ABAN TV GH, thank you for your quick response.
I featured this video on this post in my pancocojams cultural blog: https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2019/06/seven-videos-of-ghanaian-childrens-game.html Seven Videos Of The Ghanaian Children's Game "Ampe"
Do I understand you correctly that all the singing clapping games with songs in Ghana are called Aso, ( Asɔ )? I'd love to know the names of each individual game with the time it was featured in this video.
I'm very interested in documenting the words to examples of African children's games. Would you or someone else please write the words in Akan and English to at least one of those games (such as the first one in this video)?
I know that I'm asking a lot, but there's so little information about Ghanaian children's games that is know in the USA and the internet is one way to share that information with the world.
Thanks!"
****
Video #7: Ampe Adenta Project
Ottiya, Published on May 22, 2018
This is a video of girls playing ampe in a group in the school yard in Ghana recorded by Yaba Haffar. Yaba wrote an article entitled "Playing and Learning through Rhythm and Song in Ghana", which connects to ampe. You can read her article in the Play Issue of the Ottiya Magazine: http://www.ottiya.com/shop
-snip-
The play issue of that magazine cost $25.00.
****
This concludes Part II of this pancocojams series.
The content of this post is presented for cultural and recreational purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.
****
ARTICLE EXCERPTS THAT INCLUDE COMMENTS ABOUT THE HISTORY OF AMPE
(These excerpts are numbered for referencing purposes only).
EXCERPT #1
From https://rafiufishbone.blogspot.com/2015/08/ampe-beautiful-african-game.html AMPE '' A BEAUTIFUL AFRICAN GAME By Unknown - August 18, 2015
"Ampe is a game played long before anyone can remember,Since African history has not been put on paper and pen due to lack of formal education back in the centuries no one can really tell the exact origin of ampe. So its history remains a mystry but ampe is still the game little girls love to play when they have nothing to do...The game has been in existence for more Than 200years.
African children play this game during their childhood to teen age. Some believe it originate in Ghana. Elders in the northern part of Ghana believe that people of the ashanti region developed/created ampe. They say the game was played by old women, when they had nothing doing. They form a round circle, then pick a leader to be in the middle. They jump and clap their hands at the same time and put forward their legs. If both the leader and the one she picks to begin the game put forward their right leg at the same time then the leader has lost, if she loses for the second and third then she joins the circle and the winner becomes the new leader. But if the leader put forward her right leg and the other put forward her left leg that means the leader has won. Even though 10 pple can play ampe But its been play by two persons at a time. The game is been played by girls but sometimes boys do join because is very interesting and entertaining. Moreover is a form of exercise and keeps the brain and eyes sharp and active. Mostly is a game played at home but because it has been the most loved games among little girls, ampe is seen played in primary schools across Ghana and the world."
****
EXCERPT #2
From https://mmofraghana.org/interesting-finds/world-games-ampe/ World Games – Ampe!
Posted by: Adwoa on 30 November 2011
“Tim Hull‘s wonderful videos on children’s games from different countries were made to support the work of the international play organization Right To Play.
Ampe is still a very popular game for girls (and a few boys too) everywhere in Ghana. It’s a combination of a good physical workout, social bonding and strategy.
In addition to his short film (about 15 minutes) on the energetic Ghanaian game of ampe (AM-pay), Tim’s Globaltimoto journey in search of games around the world showcases children at play in other African countries like Morocco, Namibia and Mali.
Detailed notes on the game are here. The film is particularly interesting because it includes an oral history of the game....
It includes an explanation of the rules, some strategies for winning, and a demonstration which ends with 15 year-old Sandra Ampofoah of Mampong-Akuapem emerging as the excited overall champion.
Sandra explains that it’s a matter of studying patterns of play, anticipating your opponent, making snap decisions and having very quick reflexes.
100 year-old Madam Rose Animah and 88 year-old Madam Elizabeth Kyei are the real stars of the film. They relive their glory days as champions of the game when it was a serious competitive sport between the ampe “companies” of several villages.
In the “old days”, crowds of spectators would come to watch the tournaments, which could go on for as long as two or three days. There was even a special dress code, designed to give plenty of room for jumping and throwing out your feet!*
Today ampe is a schoolyard and children’s playground activity rather than a community event, but it has survived, unlike many of the “ancient games” lamented by Rose Animah and Elizabeth Kyei."
-snip-
A link to Tim Hull's short film about Ampe is given as Video #1 in Part II of this series.
Here's a quote about the style of dress that was used for Ampe from Tim Hull's globaltimoto.com site that is mentioned in the above article: https://www.globaltimoto.com/africa/ghana/games/ampe/
"The style of clothes is very important to the game of Ampe. Most important of all is that each girl should wear a short and tight skirt facilitating the necessary movement of the legs. This style of dress carries with it a chant from spectators "Okpeng" (Short) to which the participating girls would cheer "Odadwee" (Tight). It's obviously not only the game of Ampe that drew young men to these events, but also the girls' daring fashion."
-snip-
The statement about "studying patterns of play, anticipating your opponent, etc. made me think of the comment from a narrator of "Ampe (a ghanaian children's game)", one of the video's that is showcased in Part II of this pancocojams series. In that video the narrator indicated that Ampe is similar to the hand game "rock, paper, scissors". Here's an excerpt from the Wikipedia article for this game: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock%E2%80%93paper%E2%80%93scissors
"Rock–paper–scissors (also known as scissors–rock–paper or other variants) is a hand game usually played between two people, in which each player simultaneously forms one of three shapes with an outstretched hand. These shapes are "rock" (a closed fist), "paper" (a flat hand), and "scissors" (a fist with the index finger and middle finger extended, forming a V). "Scissors" is identical to the two-fingered V sign (also indicating "victory" or "peace") except that it is pointed horizontally instead of being held upright in the air. A simultaneous, zero-sum game, it has only two possible outcomes: a draw, or a win for one player and a loss for the other.
[...] [explanations about which formations win over others]
[...]
Unlike truly random selection methods, however, rock–paper–scissors can be played with a degree of skill by recognizing and exploiting non-random behavior in opponents.[5][6]"
****
EXCERPT #3
From https://gijonlinenews.com/?p=3086
The Decline of Traditional Games BY: OWUSU OFOSU-HEMAA EFUA ZION, July 19, 2016
“Once in Ghana were ampe, pampanaa, oware, pempenaa, pi lolo, alikoto, Zanzama, sansankroma, kyemper, Adwoa Ata and many others so dear to our hearts. Traditional games, in past times were held in high esteem by both the aged and the young in our society. These games, one would note, are gradually on the decline.
Attributed to civilization or modernization, these global phenomenon play a fundamental role in seperating our traditional society from its traditional games. These games gave us a sense of identification and belonging. Aside the eductative aspect these games offered, they also played the role of reuniting familes.
They were a great source of entertainment, self-expression and cooperation.
These same games since time immemorial have developed skills in solving real world problems while providing the opportunity to communicate face-to-face with team players. Helping to hone social skills, individuals were able to familiarize themselves with their environment and interact properly with others.
Pampanaa for instance helped us develop our navigational skills as one either searched for or hid from his/her opponent. Police and thief, imbibed in us a sense of accepted moral standards in society by shaming crime, and on the other hand celebrating justice.
Countless people may argue on the importance of modern games. In a way, it is understandable in the sense that, times have changed unlike the past where murder, kidnap, rape, rituals etc. were not common in our Ghanaian society. Parents would not like to take chances letting their children out to play with friends but rather stick to modern games on consoles, computers or other devices right at home. The security of children is essential to parents.
Modern games such as Clash of Clans, candy crush, pokémon, criminal case, temple run, fruit ninja and many others are the order of the day. The disadvantages are also countless. Children are exposed to unacceptable social vices and acts such as sexual abuses, crime, deceit and violence.
Parents should be mindful of how they go about blending modern games with traditional ones bearing in mind the role to media plays in shaping human behaviour and perception.”
Nine commenters shared their memories of some of the traditional Ghanaian games that are mentioned in this article, including this comment about ampe:
EUNICE OSEI [no date given]
"I enjoyed Ampe but sadly we don’t see it any more. It was best played with a group of four and more or just two people. It requires very active players with much jumping, singing and clapping. Two leaders are chosen for each group and the rest of the members split into groups of two and play against each other. Points are earned depending on the right or left leg, but always meet the opposite leg of your opponent first. I wish we could still maintain our traditional games instead of modern games."
-snip-
The only ”modern” games that I’ve* heard of that are mentioned in this article are “candy crush” and “Pokémon”. I’m African American and these other “modern games” may not be from the USA or known in the USA
****
OTHER ARTICLE EXCERPTS ABOUT AMPE
(These excerpts are numbered for referencing purposes only).
EXCERPT #1
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ampe_(game)
Ampe is a simple but energy-driven game played by school-age children. It originated from Ghana and also played in other neighbouring countries. It is played by two or more people and requires no equipment.[1][2]
Gameplay
The leader and another player jump up at the same time, clap, and thrust one foot forward when they jump up. If the leader and the other player have the same foot forward the leader wins a point. If they are different than the other player becomes "it" and plays against the remaining players. If the players are in a circle, the leader moves along the inside of the circle, playing against others in turn. If they are in a line, the leader moves on down the line. If only two players are playing, they keep score until a certain number of points determines a winner.[3]”...
Fun Facts: It’s a game that helps with coordination and agility.
Materials Needed: Body
Rules:
Chose one player to be the leader and the others to stand in a semicircle, with the leader facing the player at either end of the group.
The leader and the player both clap hands. Then they jump in place at the same time. They then jump and thrust one foot forward.
If the two have the same foot forward, the leader is out and the player takes their place. If they thrust a different foot forward, the leader moves on to the next player and the same routine begins.
A point is scored every time the leader is successful. Every player takes a turn as leader. The one who scores the most points wins."
Usually two people are involved. It could also be two teams of more than two in a team. The players or teams are identified as “Ohyiwa” and “opare”. "Ohyiwa" scores a point when a player’s left leg meets the right leg or right leg meets the left leg of "opare". "Opare" also scores a point when the left leg meets the left or the right leg meets the right leg of "ohyiwa". The first to get ten points wins the game or contest. The game: Two contestants at a time, one from each team start clapping their hands while singing and jumping. As they land each manipulates the legs and places one leg forward. As explained above, 'ohyiwa' wins by the left leg meeting the right leg or right leg meeting the left leg of "opare". "Opare" scores by the left leg meeting the left leg or right leg meeting the right leg of "ohyiwa". There is no referee but every team counts its scores as the game progresses. The first to get ten points wins. A set of games is played and the higher scorer determines the winner.
Contributed by D.A. Akuoko - Thank you!"
****
This concludes Part I of this two part series.
This pancocojams post showcase the original 2002 video of the Mauritian Sega song "Ti Marmit" (also given as "Ti Marmite"). That video shows children playing a circle game while singing that song.
The Mauritian Creole lyrics to "Ti Marmit" are included in this post along with an "English language" translation from that same website.
UPDATE: May 6, 2019 6:03 PM - English transcription from a Mauritian. As a result of this translation, I've removed the word "possible" from the beginning of this post's title.
The Addendum to this post provides information about Sega music, information about the Mauritian non-profit organization Abaim and their musical group "Group Abaim, and my description of the performance activity of the version of this singing game that is documented in this video.
****
The content of this post is presented for cultural, linguistic, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are featured in this video and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.
Thanks to the non-profit organization Abaim for their work with Mauritian children and youth. Special thanks to Anonymous, May 6, 2019 for sharing the English translation for this game song.
****
SHOWCASE VIDEO: ABAIM : Ti marmit (original 2002)
Thefriendsbe, Published on Jan 1, 2011
ABAIM : Klip Ti marmit (original 2002)
****
LYRICS FOR THIS SONG IN MAURITIAN CREOLE
"Ti Marmit"
(composed by Group Abaim)
Ki nou pou zoué la ?
Ti éna ene ti marmit
Enn ti poule noir ti danse ladan
Li apiye ar ros cari
Alala Aurélie ki ti fer sa
Aurélie, Aurélie, Aurélie conne pik séga
Aurélie, Aurélie, Aurélie conne pik séga
1 2 3 roulé matante
4 5 6 mathématique
7 8 9 dan mo panier 9 9 9
Met la main la haut
Met la main dan lerein
Met la main la haut
Met la main dan lerein
Américain cass so lerein
Américain cass so lerein
Ti éna ene ti marmit
Enn ti poule noir ti danse ladan
Li apiye ar ros cari
Alala Manuella….Chloé….Christina….
From Google search (website no longer available)
"Radio Moris is live broadcasting from Mauritius. RadioMoris broadcast various kind of latest Ragga, sega, hip hop, classic, dance, electronic etc. music.".
****
TRANSLATING "TI MARMIT" FROM MAURITIAN CREOLE TO STANDARD ENGLISH
UPDATE: MAY 6, 2019
Anonymous May 6, 2019 at 1:39 PM
"hi, saw your comment on the video, as a Mauritian here is my translation. I tried putting an explanation in the brackets.
what are we going to play now
there was a small cooking pot
a small hen dancing in it
it presses against the curry rock (rock used to crush spices into a curry paste)
Alala thats Aurelie who did that (Alala does not have a translation, its more of a
Aurelie, Aurelie, Aurelie know how to dance sega
Aurelie, Aurelie, Aurelie know how to dance sega
1 2 3 roll my aunt (in mauritian creole the end of the numbers rhymes with sentence after. Note that the sega dance involces "rolling of the hip", so basically saying that the aunt is moving her hips to the dance)
4 5 6 mathematics
7 8 9 in my basket 9 9 9
Put you hands in the air
Put you hands on your waist
Put you hands in the air
Put you hands on your waist
Americain break the waist (again in mauritian creole american rhyme with the last word, and again its meeting that american are moving the hips )
Americain break the waist"
****
Here's the content that was posted before May 6, 2019 Update:
Pancocojams Editor's Notes About This Song's English translation:
Three "English translations" of this song are included in this post: an English translation of this song from a Mauritius online forum; a translation from the results of Google Translates "Haitian Creole to English" feature; and a translation that includes additional Haitian Creole, French words, as well as some translations of Mauritius Creole to English that are found in that first cited translation, and/or that are found elsewhere online. That translation also includes my guesses regarding the English words or phrases based on my familiarity with the English language, and particularly with African American Vernacular English.
I believe that the third "English translation" of "Ti Marmit" that is found in this post is probably the most accurate of these three translations. My notes below demonstrate the process by which I've arrived at that conclusion. However, I am NOT saying that this translation is totally correct. Corrections to this translation are very welcome.
I don't know any language but English. However, since there doesn't appear to be any Mauritian Creole translations for "Ti Marmit" online as of the publication date for this pancocojams posts, it seems to me that both Haitian Creole and French can be used to "suss" out probable meanings for this song's lyrics.
Translation #1:
Here's an English translation for this song from that same radiomoris.com forum which published the Mauritian Creole lyrics that are given above [Note: Given the description of radiomoris.com as an online site from Mauritius, this translation is from Mauritian Creole to English.
Ti Marmit
Ki can we screw up?
Ti éna ene ti marmit
Enn ti hen black ti dance ladan
Li apiye ar ros cari
Alala Aurélie ki ti fer
Aurélie, Aurélie, Aurélie conne pik sega
Aurélie, Aurélie, Aurélie conne pik sega
1 2 3 matted roll
4 5 6 mathematical
7 8 9 dan mo cart 9 9 9
Put your hand up
Put your hand in the len
Put your hand up
Put your hand in the len
American cass so lerein
American cass so lerein
Ti éna ene ti marmit
Enn ti hen black ti dance ladan
Li apiye ar ros cari
Alala Manuella ... .Chloe ... .Christina ...."
****
Translation #2
Here's the Google Translates results for the Mauritian Creole to English lyrics:
Ti Marmit
What are we going to do for you?
There is only one small march
The end of the little noisy dunes
She leans to the floor
Alala Aurelie did so
Aurélie, Aurélie, Aurélie connecting pigeons
Aurélie, Aurélie, Aurélie connecting pigeons
1 2 3 roulé matante
4 5 6 mathématique
7 8 9 dan mo panier 9 9 9
Join the main la haut
Stay away from home
Join the main la haut
Stay away from home
Américain cass so dress
Américain cass so dress
There is only one small march
The end of the little noisy dunes
She leans to the floor
Alala Manuella ... .Chloé ... .Christina ...."
****
Translation #3
Here's my suggestions the English translations for "Ti Marmit" that are made by comparing those two translations and substituting other word translation from Mauritian Creole to English, Haitian Creole to English, or French to English words:
1. There is no French to English translation for "marmit". However, the French to English translation for "marmite" is "cooking pot" and the Haitian Creole to English translation for "marmite" is "saucepan".
Therefore, the song title "Ti Marmite" translates from Haitian Creole to English as "Little saucepan".
Note that the word "marmit" is spelled "marmite" for these results. The word "marmit" is spelled "marmite" in some other YouTube videos of this Sega song. I've added links to three of those videos in the comment section below.
**
2. The Haitian Creole translation "What are we going to do for you?" for the second line seems to fit much better than the translation for the line from www.radiomoris.com.
**
3. The Haitian Creole to English results for "Ti éna ene ti marmite" (instead of Ti éna ene ti marmit") is "There was only a small saucepan".
**
4. I believe that the line means "The little black hen did a little dance in it". Here's how I extrapolated that meaning
a) The word "enn" in the line "Enn ti poule noir ti danse ladan" means "it" (I extrapolated this meaning from the Mauritian Creole to English subtitles given in another Abaim YouTube video entitled "Tang mama tang".
b) the word "ti" means "little" in Haitian Creole [see #1]
c) the words "noir poule" mean "black hen" in French.
d) the "danse" means "dance in French and in Haitian Creole
e) The word "laden" means "in it" in Haitian Creole
**
5. The word "pigeons" is clearly a translation of the word "sega". The story about a small black hen dancing in a cooking pot is a witty way of referring to black children dancing the sega.
**
6. The lyrics "Aurélie, Aurélie, Aurélie connecting pigeons" might mean something like "Aurélie, Aurélie, Aurélie (a girl's name) dance sega with us".
**
7. The French to English translation for the word "roulé" is roll.
**
8. There is no Haitian Creole to English translation for the word "matante". However, the French to English translation for "matante" ("ma tante") and "tante" is "aunt". The Haitian Creole to English translation for "tante" is also "aunt". Therefore, "1 2 3 roulé matante" may mean something like "1 2 3, roll [your hips] like your aunt [does].
**
9. "4 5 6 mathématique" may mean something like "4 5 6 count down!"
**
10. The Haitian Creole to English translation for the word "dan" is "then".
**
11. The Mauritian to English translation for the word "mo" is "I" (from various Mauritian English online pages and from various sub-titled Abaim videos.)
**
12. The Haitian Creole to English translation for the word "panier" is "basket".
Therefore, an English translation for "7 8 9 dan mo panier 9 9 9" may be "7 8 9 then I put it in the basket 9 9 9". "Then I put it in the basket". That line probably refers back to the story of the small black hen dancing in the cooking pot. In this song "Then I put it in the basket" is the signal to dance more energetically, similar to the African American Vernacular English phrase "Break it down (now)", meaning to show your best dance moves.
**
13. Here's my guess about the English translations for the next to the last verse of this song:
Put your hand up
Put your hand in the air
Put your hand up
Put your hand in the air
As the Americans do
As the Americans do.
-snip-
I used most of the https://www.radiomoris.com/translation for this verse.
"Put your hands up in the air" is a widely used Hip Hop chant. People raise their hands up in the air and wave them to the beat of Hip Hop/R&B songs as a way of showing their appreciation for those songs.
I'm guessing the meaning of the word "kas" (cass; kass) from the Google Translate Haitian Creole to English results for the Mauritian Creole line "mo kas enn kann" [I can do it]. That line was given in the subtitles in the YouTube video of the Abaim song "Tang mama tang"
**
14. The Google Translate Haitian Creole to English results for the line "Li apiye ar ros cari" is "She leans to the floor". In the context of this song, that line probably refers to the way some female danced the sega (or danced when they played a circle game with this song.)
**
15. "Alala Manuella ... .Chloé ... .Christina ...." - I think that "Alala Manuella" is a female name. "Chloe" and "Christina" are female names. In this "Ti Marmit" singing game, each of these names represent a girl who is part of the group who the person standing in the middle of the circle points to toward the end of the song. The person who is pointed to at the end of the song =on the name "Christina" is the new middle person.
Additions and corrections for this lyrics are very welcome.
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ADDENDUM TO THIS POST
A. INFORMATION ABOUT SEGA MUSIC AND DANCE
From https://mauritiusattractions.com/mauritius-sega-i-106.html
"Sega in Mauritius
The Sega is a dance which originated from the ritual music of Madagascar and the mainland of Africa, and it is the Musical Expression of the Mauritian Way of Life: Joy and Liveliness.
Originally sung by men and women who had been sold as slaves but whose souls had remained sensitive to music, the Sega is nowadays a folksong which has integrated itself within the framework of our folklore.
The Sega is usually sung in Creole (mother tongue of Mauritians). Many singers had thought of also bringing forward the English version of the Sega songs but later resolved not to proceed with it so as to preserve the uniqueness and cultural richness of the local music of Mauritius.
The original instruments are fast disappearing, making way for the more conventional orchestra ensemble. However, all along the coastal fishing villages, the traditional instruments such as the “Ravanne”, “Triangle”, the “Maravanne” and the traditional guitar are still being used.
Sega Music Instruments
The Ravanne, which is a wooden hoop over which has been stretched a piece of goat skin.
The Coco, (Maracas) which represents the percussion section
The “Triangle”, a triangular piece of metal which tinkles when tapped with an iron rod
The traditional guitar which was a single string instrument with an arc attached to an empty "Calebasse”
The “Maravanne” -wooden rectangular box containing sand or seeds.
Ambiance of Sega
Traditionally stimulated and inspired by local rum, the fishing folks gather around a camp fire. Very often they dance without any music at all and are accompanied only by the sound of the” Ravanne”, the tinkling of spoons, the rattling of seeds/sand in a tin, and the clapping of hands of spectators who eventually join in .
The Sega Dance
The dance itself is the rhythmic swaying of the hips to the pulsating rhythm of the Ravanne. The following description will give you a vivid image of the Sega dance:
The man usually stands in the dancing area with hands on the hips waiting for the girl to shuffle towards him, wiggling, hip-balancing and waving a colorful handkerchief invitingly. Then the partners face each other with a waist-and-shoulder grasp and ... the improvisation starts.
Sega Dance Mauritius
It starts with a gentle swaying, to a slow and solemn tune, which gradually rises and you find the dancers swaying with animated movements to keep pace with the ever-increasing tempo."...
Introduction Abaim is a non governmental organisation founded in 1982. It proceeds from the setting-up of a support front during a heroic strike of the Blind Persons at the Lois Lagesse Centre in 1982. Abaim is a registered association. The association is based in Beau-Bassin and operates at the ex-Colonel Maingard Government School. Through its Saturday care project and its movement education and keep fit project, it is now fuly integrated to the local community."
-snip-
My Google search for information about this group resulted in this statement from a website that is no longer available: “Since 1988, the music workshop has set up a musical group, the grup Abaim.”.
-snip-
Here's the link to the non-profit organization Abaim's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groupeabaim/
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C. DESCRIPTION OF THE SINGING GAME THAT IS PERFORMED IN THIS VIDEO*
1. Girls and boys form a big circle with one person in the middle.
2. A person stands in the center of the circle and sings while performing a moderate winding type of dance with her hands on her hips.
3. Members of the group hold hands and walk clockwise around the middle person while singing>
4. When they sing the name "Aurélie", the children drop hands and continue to sing while standing in place.
5. When they sing the counting lyrics beginning with "1 2 3 roulé matante ines", the children sway their hips from side to side on the beat. The middle person also performs this same movement.
6. The group points to the middle person
7. The middle person points to the group.
8. On the lyrics "Met la main la haut", the group and the middle person wave both hands in the air and then place their hands back on their hips, doing a winding dance
9. At the end of the song (on the word "Cristina"), the middle person purposely points to someone in the group, i.e. She doesn't close her eyes or spin while pointing. The person pointed to becomes the new "middle person">
10. The former middle person rejoins the group.
11. The new middle person stands in the middle of the circle and the song immediately begins from the beginning. This pattern continues as long as the group wishes to play this game.
-snip-
*Additions and corrections are welcome.
This pancocojams post provides excerpts from online discussion threads and articles about one Nigerian and two South African children's counting out or choosing it rhymes.
The content of this post is presented for folkloric, cultural, and recreational purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.
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TUMBUM TUMBUM
These comments were written on the YouTube discussion thread for Nigerian Afropop (Afrobeats) singer Yemi Alade's hit song "Tumbum" in response to questions about the meaning of the word "tumbum". I've assigned numbers to these comments for referencing purposes only.
1. "It's something kids sing to make random picks when asked to make a choice or during a game."...
-Eva Odum (2016)
**
2. "yes, it is something like this "tumbum tumbum base lembe sisi alaba kpom. alaba laba kai kai sisi bum bum" ( or tom tom, no idea what we said there, lol). you say that while going from one thing to the other. whichever your finger land on when the saying ends, that's the one you pick.
-abbyaou1 (2016)
**
3. ..."Tumbum Tumbum is game we played as kids growing up. When we had to choose usually tumbum tumbum is the way out. Usually the outcome decision is final."
-Anthony Kakie (2016)
**
4. ..."Tumbum tubum, is an Igbo word meaning 'this or that'....
- Joseph Eke (2016)
**
5. ..."Tumbum, Tumbum".... its game of random choice Igbo kids play at the village square when they are in a dilemma and they have to make a choice between two similar options."
-THE VICTOR (2016)
**
Reply
6. superAweber
"Ah, so it's the same as "eenie meenie minie moe, catch a goblin by his toe, if he squeals let him go, eenie meenie minie moe"."
**
Reply
7. Nonhlanhla Mkwanazi
"Absolutely"
**
8. THE VICTOR
"superAweber yes..100% correct."
****
PIKA PIKA MABALENE
The only direct online reference that I've found thus far to the South African [Zulu ?] counting out rhyme "Pika Pika Mabalane" is this comment from the discussion thread for Yemi Alade's Afropop (Afrobeats) song "Tumbum" [link given above]
.
"lol, we have a similar nonesensical game in south africa. It goes: "Piki piki mabelane, sala sala gentel mane, abili bock abili bili bock, ince ince ince...". Carries on after that but I can't really remember the whole thing :D"
-Nonhlanhla Mkwanazi (2016)
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A YOUTUBE SONG THAT INCLUDES THE PHRASE "PIKI PIKI MABALANE"
PIKI PIKI MABELANE
Realjoeman Maxy, Published on May 10, 2013
-snip-
This YouTube example features a man singing the lead and children singing the responses. The example begins with a photo collage and switches to a sound file. Here's a comment from this example's discussion thread:
Xolela Theme (2015)
"it brings back my childhood memories..wow i love this song"
The summary for this 2015 video indicates that "Babywyn is an artist that hails from the Republic of South Africa,The beautiful queens in the video are called Mat Models which emanate from the beautiful Botswana."
-snip-
The link for the full video is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1OYpqvlUd4.
The title for the full video is shortened to "Mabalane". Given the meaning of the phrase "piki piki mabalane" my guess is that the subject of this Hip Hop track is about which beautiful women the rapper will choose. song about which beautiful women he should choose
Olke bolke, êrie tjêrie tjorts! [Afrikaans to English translation, retrieved on November 10, 2017]
"In a lot of languages and different communities one will find it: the rhymes that children rhythmically call children during their group games. Then the recipient will show in his or her group with each successive strongly stressed word or syllable in the rhymes with the index finger or otherwise to another child in his or her group.
One after the other child is "counted" on the row and this usually happens in the round. The child who turns out when the very last word or brabbelword is said in the rhyme is then "out" or "rotten" or
whatever.
But with an outline rhyme, a business between just two people can also be added instead of a coin throw.
[...]
One of the best-known title rhymes in children in African-speaking communities is "Olke bolke", although it is almost impossible to read Afrikaans:
Where does this brawl rhyme come from? Could it be that Bolke contributed the bear and his sister, Olke characters in a Dutch children's book series, designed by AD Hildebrand in 1935, to the origin of this outreach rhyme? It may be, but how could one ever determine? In any case, one would tend to think that the "Olke Bolke" rhyme should be much older than that."...
response posted by #3 [screen name] ( 2007)
"Do you remember "wolf, wolf, hoe laat is dit?!" ?
Its like playing jagertjie with a group of children, one in the group plays the wolf, then the others sing and ask : wolf wolf, what is the time? then the wolf can say 8o'clock....then the children can repeat the question over and over until the wolf say: "Etens tyd!" and chases every one and the child to be caught for "lunch" is the next one to play the wolf. very exciting cause you never now when the wolf decides to go hunting!
[...]
It could also be nice to use something like "Olke bolke....." to place the kids into teams if the game you play has teams. How about a sport like jukskei..that very South-African"...
****
Another example of "olke bolke" is found at the end of this online article about South African children's games:
"The top 15 kids games! Can you remember everybody?
by Annemie Lombard on 17 February 2015"
[...]
"Olke bolie riebiekie stolke, olke bolke knor. Ir very cheeky cheeky cheery, cheeky cheers ..."
****
Please add to this compilation of African counting out or choosing it rhymes or share your memories of these examples.
Don't forget to add demographic information such as when you chanted these rhymes or heard them chanted (for instance, 1980s, 1990s), where you heard these rhymes (which country), and which language the rhyme is in. Thanks!
This pancocojams post provides a definition of the word "tumbum" in Nigeria's Igbo language and provides explanations for the term "tumbum" in Yemi Alade's hit Afropop (Afrobeats) song with that title.
This post also showcases the official YouTube video "Tumbum" and the Just Dance official track game for "Tumbum".
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The content of this post is presented for linguistics, cultural, and entertainment purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Yemi Alade for her musical legacy. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
Click the Yemi Alade tag below for more pancocojams posts about this Afropop superstar.
****
WHAT "TUMBUM" MEANS IN THE IGBO LANGUAGE
"Tumbum Tumbum" is an Igbo language (Nigeria, West Africa) phrase whose English translation is "this or that" (according to a YouTube commenter- see below) or "one by one" (according to https://nigeriandictionary.com/tumbum1 "Nigerian dictionary". Both of these definitions refer to an Igbo children's game that is similar to the English language children's counting out or choosing it game "Eenie Meenie Miny Moe".
Here are two responses to a question about the meaning of "tumbum":
"It's something kids sing to make random picks when asked to make a choice or during a game. In this case, she doesn't want to be someone he plays the "random" game with"
-Eva Odum (2016) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mr6DKUylvCk
**
"yes, it is something like this "tumbum tumbum base lembe sisi alaba kpom. alaba laba kai kai sisi bum bum" ( or tom tom, no idea what we said there, lol). you say that while going from one thing to the other. whichever your finger land on when the saying ends, that's the one you pick.
-abbyaou1 (2016) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mr6DKUylvCk
Read other comments about "tumbum" below.
****
WHAT TUMBUM MEANS IN YEMI ALADE'S SONG WITH THAT TITLE
In Yemi Alade's hit Afropop song/video with that title, "Tumbum" means choosing between two equal options. In the context of this song, the man is saying that he has to choose between two women- Yemi and Nkechi.
In the beginning of the video, rather than choosing between these two women, the man wishes he could combine them into one woman: ""Yemi... Nkechi... Should I combine the 2... Nkemi?"
["Yemi" is a Yoruba language given name and Nkechi is an Igbo language given name. "Nkemi" isn't a real name- which adds to this scene's humor.
Information about the names "Yemi" and "Nkechi" is given in the comment section below.]
Here's another comment about the meaning of "tumbum tumbum" in Yemi Alade's song "Tumbum":
... "Tumbum tubum, is an Igbo word meaning 'this or that'. she is saying she doesn't want to be considered as a second option. the guy was lost in choosing between the two ladies."
-Joseph Eke (2017),https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mr6DKUylvCk
-snip-
I believe that it would be more accurate to say that Yemi is saying that she doesn't want to be part of a relationship where a man has to play a this or that children's game to decide whether he wants to be with her.
Read other comments below about the meaning of the word "tumbum" in the context of Yemi Alade's song.
Numbers have been assigned for referencing purposes only.
Several of these comments include Nigerian Pidgin English.
Click http://www.naijalingo.com/ for a dictionary of Nigerian Pidgin English.
There are a number of online sources for information about Nigerian Pidgin English and for lists of Nigerian Pidgin English words such as "abeg" = please and the word "abi" = right (Yes).
2016
1. Okorobia Isinweke
"tum bum Is the music we sing in our childhood days when we have choosing dilemma"
**
Reply
2. Stephanie Robinson
"Fortune Naija is it like a nursery rhyme? I am trying to understand it"
**
Reply
3. Eva Odum
"Stephanie Robinson not really. It's something kids sing to make random picks when asked to make a choice or during a game. In this case, she doesn't want to be someone he plays the "random" game with"
**
Reply
4. abbyaou1
"yes, it is something like this "tumbum tumbum base lembe sisi alaba kpom. alaba laba kai kai sisi bum bum" ( or tom tom, no idea what we said there, lol). you say that while going from one thing to the other. whichever your finger land on when the saying ends, that's the one you pick."
**
Reply
5. Nonhlanhla Mkwanazi
"lol, we have a similar nonesensical game in south africa. It goes: "Piki piki mabelane, sala sala gentel mane, abili bock abili bili bock, ince ince ince...". Carries on after that but I can't really remember the whole thing :D"
**
2017
Reply
6. IPAT45
"eenie meenie miny moe in English or iene miene mutte in dutch"
**
Reply
7. superAweber
"Ah, so it's the same as "eenie meenie minie moe, catch a goblin by his toe, if he squeals let him go, eenie meenie minie moe"."
**
Reply
8. Nonhlanhla Mkwanazi
"Absolutely"
**
9. THE VICTOR
"superAweber yes..100% correct."
**
10. Kalyssa Elizabeth (2016)
"What's the meaning of tumbum?"
**
Reply
11. Cynthia Okafor (2016)
"Kalyssa Elizabeth it's like something we recite when we are confused about something, just like the he loves me, he loves me not stuff"
**
2017
Reply
12. Mo A
"tum, bum, tum, bum = eenie meenie miny moe
a rhyme children recite to help them choose when spoilt for choice"
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13. KizzyVEVO
"Yemi at first, Johnny played you wayo. Now, this man is using you to do tumbum tumbum but me I'm here for you and ready to be faithful. Abeg Holla at me quick before I fall in love with someone else 😂😂😉"
-snip-
"Johnny" in this comment refers to Yemi Alade's super hit entitled "Johnny". In that song, Yemi found out that Johnny cheated on her with at least three other women.
**
Reply
14. some one
"Saint Kizito what is Tumbum means bro?"
**
Reply
15. Crystal Mimi
"tumbum is when ur trying to decide 1 thing from 2 or more options"
**
Reply
16. THE VICTOR
"el el lol! Abi!! concentrate on one. Lol!"
**
Reply
17. Anthony Kakie
"Yemi you understand Igbo well well. Tumbum Tumbum is game we played as kids growing up. When we had to choose usually tumbum tumbum is the way out. Usually the outcome decision is final."
**
Reply
18. Van Sin
"but what is tumbum? What does it meeeaaan - I love Yemi songs go woman"
**
Reply
19. Joseph Eke
"Van Sin Tumbum tubum, is an Igbo word meaning 'this or that'. she is saying she doesn't want to be considered as a second option. the guy was lost in choosing between the two ladies."
**
Reply
20. THE VICTOR
"Van Sin "Tumbum, Tumbum" is not a food. its game of random choice Igbo kids play at the village square when they are in a dilemma and they have to make a choice between two similar options."
**
21. Bobby sokkatua
"Yemi Alade i'm your man,i swear to not do you like Johnny and this one wey dey use you do tumbum."
**
22. Angelica kweku
"Tumbom, Tumbom " means guessing in Igbo ( a tribe in Nigeria ).
She asking the guy not use her as a guess because that's not what she is here for.
She wants him to choose between her and Nkechi."...
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SHOWCASE VIDEOS
Video #1: Yemi Alade - Tumbum (Official Video)
YemiAladeVEVO, Published on Nov 9, 2016
#MTVMAMA2016 and #MTVMAMA2015 "Best Female" winner Yemi Alade releases a humorous music video for the Selebobo produced "Tumbum", off her acclaimed sophomore album "Mama Africa: The Diary of an African Woman".
The Paul Gambit directed clip stars Nollywood superstars Ime Bishop Umoh and Beverly Osu....
-snip-
Statistics as of November 9, 2017 (6:12 AM)
total number of views -13,107,139
