Akan refers to the language of the Akan ethnic group of Ghana. It is also spoken in the central and eastern part of Cote d’Ivoire. Akan comprises three main mutually intelligible dialects: Fante, Asante Twi and Akwapim Twi. Asante Twi is the widely used. Akan is the most widely spoken and used indigenous language in Ghana. About 44%, of Ghana’s population of about 22 million, speak Akan as first language. However, about 80% of Ghanaians speak Akan as a first and second language. It is officially recognized for literacy, at least at the lower primary (Primary 1-3) level, and studied at university as a bachelor or masters program. It is the most important indigenous language of Ghana. It is the language of the Western, Central, Ashanti, Eastern, Brong Ahafo regions, and the northern portion of the Volta region of Ghana. A form of Akan is also spoken in South America, notably Suriname and Jamaica. The language came to these places through the slave trade. Akan names and folktales are still used in these countries. "... -snip- Rutgers is a State University in New Jersey (United States)
* *** From https://www.britannica.com/topic/Akan "Akan are a grouping of peoples of the Guinea Coast who speak Akan
languages (of the Kwa branch of the Niger-Congo family). They include the
speakers of the Akyem, Anyi, Asante (Ashanti), Attié, Baule, Brong, Chakosi,
Fante (Fanti), and Guang languages; some scholars also consider Twi a distinct
Akan language. Most Akan peoples live in Ghana, where they settled in
successive waves of migration between the 11th and 18th centuries; others
inhabit the eastern part of Côte d’Ivoire and parts of Togo."...
**** AKAN MALE AND FEMALE DAY NAMES From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akan_names "The Akan people of Ghana frequently name their children
after the day of the week they were born and the order in which they were born.
These "day names" have further meanings concerning the soul and character
of the person. Middle names have considerably more variety and can refer to
their birth order, twin status, or an ancestor's middle name.
This naming tradition is shared throughout West Africa and
the African diaspora. During the 18th–19th centuries, enslaved people in the
Caribbean from the region that is modern-day Ghana were referred to as
Coromantees. Many of the leaders of enslaved people's rebellions had "day
names" including Cuffy, Cuffee or Kofi, Cudjoe or Kojo, Quao or Quaw, and
Quamina or Kwame/Kwamina.
Most Ghanaians have at least one name from this system, even
if they also have an English or Christian name. Notable figures with day names
include Ghana's first president Kwame Nkrumah and former United Nations
Secretary-General Kofi Annan."...
**** From https://theculturetrip.com/africa/ghana/articles/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-ghanaian-tradition-of-day-names/ "The Akan people use the Kwa language group’s system of
timekeeping, which is based on a six-day week (‘nnanson‘), with the seventh day
inclusive. In Ashanti homes, Sunday-born males and females are named Kwasi or
Kwesi and Akosua respectively (meaning ‘associated with the universe’);
Monday-born are Kwadwo or Kojo, Adjoa or Adwoa (meaning ‘associated with
peace’); Tuesday-born are Kwabena or Kobi, Abena (meaning ‘associated with the
ocean’); Wednesday-born Kwaku or Kweku, Akua (meaning ‘associated with
spider/Ananse’); Thursday-born Yaw, Yaa ( meaning ‘associated with the earth’);
Friday-born Kofi, Afia or Afua (meaning ‘associated with fertility’); and
Saturday-born Kwame, Ama (meaning ‘associated with God’)."...
** Saturday - (Méméneda) Root: Mene Association: God Twi Male Name: Kwámè, Kwǎmè, Twi Female Name: Ám̀ma, Ámmá Fanti Male Name: Quame/Quamina Fanti Female Name: Ama -snip- *This is an amended version of the information that is given in a chart on that Wikipedia page. That Wikipedia chart also includes Akan variants of these day names that are given to males or females and the day names in the Akan based Ndyuka language, a creole language of Suriname, spoken by the Ndyuka people.
-snip- ** In Wikipedia's Akan day name chart, the word "spider" is linked to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anansi. My summary of the meaning of Anansi (spider) in Akan culture as well as in the African Diaspora of Jamaica and the United States etc. is that Anansi symbolized/s wisdom and using your mind to overcome adversity. -snip- In his article "The Sociolinguistic of Akan Personal Names" http://www.njas.helsinki.fi/pdf-files/vol15num2/agyekum.pdf, instead of "spider" Kofi Agyekum (University of Ghana, Legon) gives the following associations for these day names (The Akan names for the days themselves and for the male/female names for people born on those days that are given above are the same):
Sunday - agility Monday - peace Tuesday - friendliness Wednesday - evil **** Thursday - brave Friday- wanderer/traveler Saturday - male: combat ready’, snakebite herbalist / female: creation/grace -snip- **** With regard to "evil" as the characteristic (association) for males and females born on Wednesday. In attempting to "suss" out this characteristics, it occurs to me that in Anansi stories, spider is a trickster who has to use his mind to get out of trouble. I wonder if "evil" is a later ascribed characteristic for Wednesday born. Perhaps spider might have also meant "cunning", "resourceful" and quick witted" (which could have been interpreted by some as "evil" in that people with those characteristics tend to disrupt the status quo.
This pancocojams post presents a video of the Nigerian children's music group Super Kids performing their song "Chikibom (the train is coming).
My transcription of this song's lyrics is also included in this post.
This post also includes information about (The) Super Kids.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
Thanks to the composer of this song and thanks to Super Kids for their musical legacy.
-snip-
My five year old grand daughter Jaiya requested that I play this video again after she heard the song when I happened upon it while YouTube "surfing". This post is therefore partly published for her.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE SUPER KIDS
Given "as is" with no corrections of this English usage, from http://superkidsmusic.com/:
"Welcome to the Official website of Super kids the biggest Selling African Kids Musical group Led by Adaeze Onyekwelu. The group have since Released the Superkids Vol 3,4,5 & 6 and making waves all over the World, With the huge success of Vol 1 & 2, The Volume 3 is packed with more action seeing a much older Adaeze & the rest of the Kids Performing to their Educative and Entertainment Music Videos. The 2018 newly released Volume 6 are out and it's doing well the African markets & you can get Superkids Songs online too; on Itunes stores
Adaeze Revelation Onyekwelu was born 24 of April 2007. She Loves to sing & Dance so her parents saw the talent and encouraged it.
MENTORSHIP The mother Mrs favour Ngozi onyekwelu as a church chorister Greatly influenced her in music. The father Mr. Ifeanyi onyekwelu a professional film director greatly contributed to her holistic artistic performance and stage confidence.The Family made a very big decision that lead to creation of the superkids which ever since has been the greatest educational & entertainment's videos for young & old people. With their deep African rooted attires and dance steps has given them the edge over all other children musical groups in African. Their First single "Show me your dance step" was an instant hit all over African."...
****
SHOWCASE VIDEO: Super kids - Chikibom (the train is coming)
The Superkids, Published on Nov 25, 2017
Super kids song the train.. is coming Chikibom, The first full super kids video shot outside.
-snip-
The song begins at .50 of this video. This song from this Nigerian children's group has a catchy, Reggae beat.
****
LYRICS: CHIKIBOM (The Train Is Coming)
(as sung by Super Kids)
Chikibom!! Chikibom!!
The train is coming!!
Chikibom!! Chikibom!!
Chiki Chiki
Chikibom!! Chikibom!!
The train is coming!!
Chikibom!! Chikibom!!
Chiki Chiki
Bom, the train is coming, yeah.
Bom, I'm going for a holiday.
Bom, my mommy is waiting, yeah
Bom, my daddy at the station, now
Oh-oh,
Chikibom!! Chikibom!!
The train is coming!!
Chikibom!! Chikibom!!
Chiki Chiki
Chikibom!! Chikibom!!
The train is coming!!
Chikibom!! Chikibom!!
Chiki Chiki
Bom, Everybody is waiting yeah
Bom, oh, the train is coming , yeah
Bom, my mommy is waiting now
Ah, my daddy at the station, yeah
Oh-oh,
Chikibom!! Chikibom!!
The train is coming!!
Chikibom!! Chikibom!!
Chiki Chiki
Chikibom!! Chikibom!!
The train is coming!!
Chikibom!! Chikibom!!
Chiki Chiki
Chikibom!! Chikibom!!
The train is coming!!
Chikibom!! Chikibom!!
Chiki Chiki
Chikibom!! Chikibom!!
The train is coming!!
Chikibom!! Chikibom!!
Chiki Chiki
Bom, the train is coming, yeah.
Bom, I'm going for a holiday.
Bom, my mommy is waiting, yeah
Bom, my daddy at the station, now
Oh-oh
Chikibom!! Chikibom!!
The train is coming!!
Chikibom!! Chikibom!!
Chiki Chiki
Chikibom!! Chikibom!!
The train is coming!!
Chikibom!! Chikibom!!
Chiki Chiki
Chiki chiki chiki
Chiki Chiki Chiki
Bom Bom
Chiki Chiki
Bom
Chiki chiki
Bom
Chiki chiki
Bom Bom
-snip-
This is my transcription of this song from the video. Additions and corrections are welcome. [Revised December, 12, 2018]
To my American ears, the word "chikibom" is pronounced like the English word "chick" (rhymes with "sick") + the letter "e" [as in the word "he"] + om (which sounds like the English word "bum" or the sound "bahm").
I assume that "chikibom" is a sound associated with the movement of a steam engine train.
This pancocojams post presents information and comments about the children's song "Zimbole" and showcases every example of this song that I've found on YouTube as of this date.
****
The content of this post is presented for cultural, educational, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to all those who are featured in these videos and all those who published these videos on YouTube.
****
PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
While searching YouTube for African children's songs, I happened upon a 2010 video of "Zimbole" that is given as Example #1 in this post. That video's title is "Zimbolé - African Folk Song all over the World". Prior to watching that video, I had never heard of or read about this children's song.
A clue to this song's introduction to the world-if not to its original composition- is found in this statement from that same above mentioned video. "Join this enthusiastic song and dance the Zimbole-Choreo! Clap your hands! Produced by Johnny Lamprecht."
https://www.amazon.com/Zimbol%C3%A9-Fu%C3%9Fballtanzlied/dp/B003IP5NUG gives this information:
"Zimbolé (Fußballtanzlied)
Johnny Lamprecht & Trommelzauber
From the Album Afrika bewegt uns
September 24, 2009
-snip-
Google translate indicates that "Fußballtanzlied" is a German word that means "soccer dance song" [Note that "football" is the term that is used in Germany and most other nations for the sport that people in the United States call "soccer"].
It's possible that Johnny Lamprecht or Johnny Lamprecht & Trommelzauber could have based this "soccer dance song" on an authentic African song. But it's also possible-and I think more likely, that he or they came up with this song using a real African word, or an African sounding word.
In the above mentioned 2010 video of "Zimbole", one commenter wrote that the song was from the Zulu people of South Africa. Also, several people in that discussion thread wrote (or repeated what was previously written in that discussion thread) that "zimbole" means "peace". I've seen that definition for "zimbole" elsewhere online pertaining to this children's song. However, the word "zimbole" isn't found in an online list of words meaning "peace" in languages spoken in South Africa.*
Google translate identifies the word "zimbole" as being Zulu. However, Google translate also identifies "zimbole" as being Chichewa, a language in Malawi and gives the English translation of "sign up" for the word "zimbole" in both Zulu and Chichewa. For what it's worth, Google translate gives no translation for "zimbolé [with an accent mark]" in any African language that is available on that feature.
Even before I found information about the song "Zimbole" in that 2009 German album, I wondered if "Zimbole" was a newly composed song that is designed to "sound African". Alternatively, the versions of "Zimbole" that are found in videos below could have been contemporary, westernized adaptations of a traditional African song. However, I think this is less likely. I had my doubts about the African provenance of this song in part because shouting "Hey!!" (or "Yeah!!") at the end of the song and sometimes shouting "Yeah!!) in the beginning of the song appear to me to be Western elements. Also, it seems to me that the stomping feet, knee patting, and body patting while performing this song could have come from the African American patting Juba (Hambone/body patting) tradition.
It also occurs to me that the word "zimbaleo" (that is found in that song and is pronounced "zimbalayo") sounds a lot like the word "Tingalayo", the title of a Caribbean children's song. Is this a coincidence or was it done on purpose?
I like the song "Zimbole". I like the fact that the song is uptempo and I like the different body movements that children can do while singing this song. I think that young children who would be introduced to this song would really enjoy it.
I believe "Zimbole" could be a great addition to the repertoire of songs which introduce children to various cultures around the world. If this song is truly from Africa, I hope that someone would identify which African nation and ethnic group it is from. If a specific African provenance can't be identified for this song because the song was actually composed by a non-African, then people should clearly state that.
Children should be taught the truth. They shouldn't be told that a song is "African" without being told where in Africa that song comes from. And if you don't know where, then say that. Otherwise, children may consciously or unconsciously assume that there is only one African country, and only one African language, and only one way that way that African people look, and dress, and speak. All Africans don't look alike or dress alike or speak the same languages.
If "Zimbole" or any other song was recently composed, then it's not traditional. If you are teaching "Zimbole" or any other song to your students and learn that that song was recently written "in an African style" by a German, or an American or any other non-African, then you should share that information with your students. Such a song could still serve as introduction to learning REAL facts about African nations and African cultures within those nations. And if that song was recently written by an African and is only based on a traditional song from a particular African ethnic group, then it's not really a traditional African song.
Please learn this wonderful song from Africa
and sing with the Oakland Symphony at the
Young People’s Concerts in October.
-snip-
The lyrics given here are the same throughout all the versions that I've found online- although some versions begin with the children shouting "Yeah!!" and other don't. Also, at the end of each iteration of the song, in some versions the children shout "Hey!!" and in other versions the children shout "Yeah". The movements that are done for the song may also change with chest patting (or slapping) being done instead of knee patting or hand clapping.
****
SHOWCASE VIDEOS
Example #1: Zimbolé - African Folk Song all over the World (HD)
TamborenaTV, Published on Jun 12, 2010
African Folk Song Zimbolé, presented by kids, students, teachers, musicians and parents all over the world. Come on! Join this enthusiastic song and dance the Zimbole-Choreo! Clap your hands! Produced by Johnny Lamprecht.
-snip-
WARNING:
At 1:39 in this video, a girl is shown in blackface (i.e. with black paint on her face, presumably to represent an African girl. Some other [White] children in that scene and at other points in that video wear "pseudo" African clothing or other "ethnic costumes". I consider the blackface to be offensive and the pseudo ethnic attire to be problematic.
Also, at .07 a girl is picking in her nose. So you might choose to show this video to children after that time mark to avoid children snickering or making gross out sounds.
-snip-
Here are selected comments from this video's discussion threads (with numbers added for referencing purposes only.)
Andrea Moon, 2012
"Can you give me the lyrics please??? I love this song and want to teach it to my students next year. thanks in advance.
Andrea"
**
REPLY
3. Svenja Carlson, 2014
"+Andrea Moon the lyrics are posted by Anto Sanz... the second part goes Zimba-lay-o Zimba-lay-o (Zimboleo' is how he wrote it.) Zimbole' Zimbole'. Hope this helps"
-snip-
The comment by Anto Sanz is no longer found in that discussion thread.
**
4. CHRISTINE DEWEY, 2014
"I was wondering what Zimbole means and also I have students from all parts of Africa would this be a folk song they would know. Somalia, Sudan, Burkino Fasco, liberia, Tanzania, Ethiopia?"
**
5.Lexie B, 2014
"My school Ways is singing this song for internattional day 2"
**
6. Cassandra Dunnings, 2014
"I am trying to find the translation of The word the words of this song. Please share with me the English translation so I can share it with my students. "
**
REPLY
7. Lexymolina123 Musically, 2016
"It means peace:)"
**
REPLY
8. Azizi Powell, 2018
"Lexymolina123 Musically:. I've read the comments from Makayla Osborne (found below*) that "zimbole'" is a Zulu (South African) song. If this is true, I don't think that " zimbole'" means "peace". Most online sources give "ukuthula" as the Zulu word for peace. Other Zulu words for "peace" that I've found are "ukuthula", "uxolo", "nokuthula", "ngokuthula", and "kuthula".
According to Google translate, the Zulu meaning for the word "zimbole" is "sign up". If that's correct, I suppose "sign up" may refer to "join". If "Zimbole'" is really a traditional African song (and I'm not sure that it is), and if it's really a Zulu song, maybe it referred to "joining" the army.
I'd love to find out more information about this song and its provenance (where it came from and what was the earliest date it was sung."
*In this YouTube comment I wrote "found above" since Makayla Osborne's comments were published above the comment that I responded to.
UPDATE: June 4, 2018: Read the comment from Mama Lisa's blog in this pancocojams discussion thread from a South African woman who corrects the information that "zimbole" means "peace" in Zulu.
**
REPLY
9. Azizi Powell, 2018
"Google translate also gives "sign up" for the English translation for zimbole in Chichewa (a language in Malawi]. And, for what it's worth, Google translate gives no translation for Zimbolé [with an accent mark] in any African language that is available on that feature.
By the way, it may be a coincidence but it occurs to me that the word "zimboleo" which is pronounced zimbolayo is very close in pronunciation to the word "Tingalayo" -which is the title of a Caribbean children's song.
I wonder if"Zimbole" is really an authentic African song or is it a nice contemporary percussive song that someone composed and marketed as an African folk song?."
-snip-
I wrote this before I looked up information about Johnny Lamprecht who was mentioned in this video's summary. Makayla Osborne's comments are actually found below (in this selected comments' hronological order format).
**
10. Makayla Osborne, 2017
"I know what zimbole` is its zulu and zulu I to resons .1.a member of the south African people traditionally living mainly in KWAZULU--Natal province.the Zulu fromed a powerful military empire in southern Africa during the 19th century before being defeated in a series of engagements with afrikaner and british Steelers." 2.the bantu language of the Zulus related,to Xhosa and spoken by over 9 Million people.it is one of the official language of south Africa. adjectives: relating to Zulus or their language. 1only"
-snip-
Makayla Osborne initially wrote “fula’ and then corrected her comment saying that she meant “Zulu”.
**
11. Makayla Osborne, 2017
"I know this song"
**
REPLY
12 . Makayla Osborne
"its a south African song"
****
Example #2: Zimbole - Vorschulchor-Musikschule Klaus Neuhaus-Klangvokal Festival 2012
MusikschuleNeuhaus
Published on Jun 27, 2012
-snip-
German to English translation of Vorschulchor-Musikschule Klaus Neuhaus-Klangvokal = Preschool choir music school
****
Example #3: Zimbole
hinnerk03, Published on Sep 14, 2014
Ibo (Ibrahima Ndiaye) im März 2014 in der Grundschule Sandhorst
-snip-
As a point of information, two African nations where the last name "Ndiaye" is usually found are Senegal and Mali.
****
Example #4: p3 zimbole
Escola Pau Casals, Published on Apr 12, 2016
****
Example #5: Zimbole by ~Visual Musical Minds~
Visual Musical Minds, Published on Aug 24, 2016
-snip-
The movements suggested in this video are:
3 leg pats
3 hand claps
3 chest slaps
[followed by children shouting Hey!!]
****
Example #6: zimbole
Escola Sant Jordi, Published on Oct 26, 2016
****
Example #7: ZIMBOLE - LEAD INDIA SCHOOL - ISA ACTIVITY - AFRICAN FOLK DANCE
-
Challa Raghunath Reddy, Published on Feb 28, 2017
African folk song ZIMBOLE performed by little Lead Indians as a part of British Council's ISA Activity - WORLD OF FOLK TALES
-snip-
This song begins at .059 with the children yelling Yeah!
This pancocojams post provides information about the Senegalese band Touré Kunda and showcases that band's hit children's song "Fatou Yo".
Information about the language that is used for this song is included in this post along with information about the name "Fatou".
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Touré Kunda for its musical legacy and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publishers of these examples on YouTube.
Hat tip to Mrs Barnes from Pittsburgh Dilworth Pre-Kindergarten for teaching this song to my granddaughter and her classmates.
****
SHOWCASE EXAMPLE: AFRICA Music /Best of all time : TOURE KUNDA: Fatou Yo
WitnessTheDevine, Uploaded on Jul 16, 2011
This is an african song , a little all , Almost every generation in Senegal loved it .....Every generation sang it , ,, and it still rocks ......
****
INFORMATION ABOUT TOURE KUNDA
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tour%C3%A9_Kunda
"Touré Kunda is a Senegalese band noted for their musical versatility and political activism. Their 36-year career encompasses recordings in over six languages and collaborations with well-known musicians such as Carlos Santana and Talking Heads. They have had considerable success in Africa and Europe and are active in social causes such as Children's rights and advocates for the homeless.
Biography
Born twenty-two days apart in 1950 in Ziguinchor in Casamance, Senegal, Ismaïla and Sixu Tidiane Touré were introduced to music by their elder brother Amadou, a singer and musician.
They moved to Paris to complete their musical education. They worked their way up in the Parisian scene. The group sings in Soninké, Wolof, Fula, Mandingo, Diola, and Portuguese creole, reflecting the multilingual mixture of the people of Casamance.
Their first album, Ismaïla do Sixu, was released in 1979. It was followed by E'Mma Africa in 1980 and Touré Kunda in 1982. In 1985, following the death of their brother and mentor Amadou, Ismael and Sixu Tidiane toured throughout Africa.
Upon returning to France, they found considerable success and critical acclaim among the French music press. In 1992, they were invited to play for Nelson Mandela at the Courtyard of Human Rights.
In 1999 their album Légendes, a retrospective of their 20-year career, was released. Shortly thereafter, they participated in Carlos Santana's album Supernaturel and toured with him. A greatest hits album, Best Of, was released in 2006. Their most recent album, Santhiaba, came out in 2008.
Ismaïla and Sixu Tidiane Touré are members of the sponsoring committee of the United Nations' Decade for the Promotion of a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World."...
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE SONG "FATOU YO"
Here's a summary of that song from Best Children's Music [website no longer available on December 13, 2017]
"Toure Kunda (TOUR-ray KOON-dah) / Senegal / Fatou Yo (I Am Fatou) sung in Mandingo*. Fatou is a little girl who lives in Senegal, a country in Africa. She likes to dance with the other boys and girls in her village, and dreams about singing with baby elephants and giraffes.
The song is a sikko (SEE-koh), a dance where people get in a line and hold their hands towards the sky or hold the waist of the person in front of them. Senegal is a country in Western Africa that borders the Atlantic Ocean. There are many different tribes and ethnic groups, each with a unique culture. Languages spoken include Wolof, Fulani, Serer and Mandingo, but the common language is French because Senegal used to be a colony of France."
-snip-
I reformatted this summary to enhance its readability.
*Here's information about the Mandingo language (correct term: Mandinka) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandinka_language
"The Mandinka language (Mandi'nka kango), or Mandingo, is a Mandé language spoken by the Mandinka people of the Casamance region of Senegal, the Gambia, and northern Guinea-Bissau. It is the principal language of the Gambia.
Mandinka belongs to the Manding branch of Mandé, and is thus similar to Bambara and Maninka/Malinké. In a majority of areas, it is a tonal language with two tones: low and high, although the particular variety spoken in the Gambia and Senegal borders on a pitch accent due to its proximity with non-tonal neighboring languages like Wolof."...
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE NAME "FATOU"
"Fatou" [pronounced FAH-tu], a short form of the name "Fatoumatta" (also found as "Fatoumata").
"Fatoumatta" ("Fatoumata") is a female name from the Mandinka (language). That name is a form of the Arabic female name "Fatima". http://www.vornamen-liste.de/female-arabic-first-names-f.html
"Fatou
Fatou is a female given name common in West Africa. In Gambia, he* is traditionally given to first-born daughters. The Arabic form of the name is Fatima."
-snip-
"he"= "it"
****
Here's a quote from a website that includes the names Fatoumatta ("Fatou"): http://resourcepage.gambia.dk/names.htm:
"Here is a more comprehensive list of names. This list of names was derived from the Mandinka dictionary*, but many of these names are common among the other major ethnic groups in The Gambia as well, such as the Fula, Wolof, and Jola."
Fatou yo si dia dialano
Fatou yo si dia dialano
Fatou yo si dia dialano
Fatou yo si dia dialano
Fatou faye faye fatou
Fatou kélémen dio
Fatou yo si dia dialano
Fatou faye faye fatou
Fatou kélémen dio
Fatou yo si dia dialano
Boutoumbélé boutoumbélé
Boutoumbélé boutoumbélé
Boutoumbélé boutoumbélé
Boutoumbélé boutoumbélé
Boutoumbélé o ma mi se ra
O Ma mycasse boutoumbélé
O ma mi se ra
O Ma mycasse boutoumbélé"
Source:http://www.mamalisa.com/?t=es&p=3134:
-snip-
mamalisa.com gives the language used in this song as "Balanta". I believe that that information is incorrect in part because "Balanta" is a language from the West African nation of Guinea-Bissau and the music group Touré Kunda is from Senegal, West Africa.
Also, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tour%C3%A9_Kunda indicates that "The group [Touré Kunda] sings in Soninké, Wolof, Fula, Mandingo, Diola, and Portuguese creole, reflecting the multilingual mixture of the people of Casamance."...
-snip-
In addition, the summary for "Fatou Yo" that is given above indicates that it is sung in Mandingo (i.e. Mandinka). I think that is the correct information.
Here's the English translation for "Fatou Yo" from that mamalisa.com website:
"I am Fatou, pretty Fatou,
I am Fatou, pretty Fatou,
I am Fatou, pretty Fatou,
I am Fatou, pretty Fatou.
Fatou oh, oh Fatou,
Like all the children of the world
I am Fatou, pretty Fatou.
Fatou oh, oh Fatou,
Like all the children of the world
I am Fatou, pretty Fatou.
I am happy and will surely grow up
I am happy and will surely grow up
I am happy and will surely grow up
I am happy and will surely grow up
I will grow up like everybody else
Like the little elephants and the little giraffes
Like everybody else
Like the little elephants and the little giraffes."
-snip-
UPDATE: May 13, 2018
Thanks to Carlos Alberto Teixeira for sharing the following karoake video of Fatou Yo! The sub-titles in that video correct the incomplete lyrics for this song that are given above.
FATOU YO-karaoke SUNITATINA.wmv
urregaraikt, Published on Dec 1, 2010
Touré Kundak sortutako kanta hau edonork entzun, kantatu eta entzuteko modukoa da
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.
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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.
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SHOWCASE VIDEO: ABAIM : Ti marmit (original 2002)
Thefriendsbe, Published on Jan 1, 2011
ABAIM : Klip Ti marmit (original 2002)
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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.".
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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"
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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 ...."
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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 ...."
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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.
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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.
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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".
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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
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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.
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6. The lyrics "Aurélie, Aurélie, Aurélie connecting pigeons" might mean something like "Aurélie, Aurélie, Aurélie (a girl's name) dance sega with us".
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7. The French to English translation for the word "roulé" is roll.
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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].
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9. "4 5 6 mathématique" may mean something like "4 5 6 count down!"
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10. The Haitian Creole to English translation for the word "dan" is "then".
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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.)
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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.
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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"
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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.)
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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."
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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 information about Mauritian Creole and information about the non-profit community group, ABAIM. Mauritian Creole is the most widely spoken language in Mauritius, an island nation in Southern Africa.
This post also showcases a video song in Mauritian Creole about the days of the week and includes the des the song's lyrics that are given as subtitles in that video.
I've also included my transcription of the Mauritian Creole words. That transcription is largely based on information that I gleaned from an online page that is included as an Addendum to this post. That page list the etymology of the French word "semens" (English translation: "week"), lists various French Creole words for the English word "week", and also provides the French words for the days of the week.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, linguistic, and educational 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 ABAIM for their work with Mauritian children and youth.
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INFORMATION ABOUT MAURITIAN CREOLE
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauritian_Creole
Mauritian Creole or Morisien (Mauritian Creole: Kreol morisien) is a French-based creole language spoken in Mauritius. In addition to the French base of the language, there are also a number of words from English and from the many African and South Asian languages that have been spoken on the island.
[...]
Sociolinguistic situation
Mauritian creole is the lingua franca of Mauritius. Mauritius, formerly a British colony, has kept English as its only official language, although French is more widely spoken. Mauritians tend to speak Creole at home and French in the workplace. French and English are spoken in schools. Though a large percentage of Mauritians are of Indian descent, they primarily speak Creole, which is their ancestral tongue in the sense that their ancestors along with those of African, European and Chinese descent helped create the creole language together centuries ago, when Mauritius was the meeting place of peoples from different continents who together founded a nation with its own culture and history. Today, around 1 million people speak the language."...
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."
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SHOWCASE VIDEO: ABAIM : Zoli Letan Pou Zanfan : Lindi mo al lekol
Thefriendsbe, Published on Nov 25, 2013
-snip-
Music: "Bann Zour Lasemenn" by ABAIM
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LYRICS: LINDO MO AL LEKOL
Lindi mo al lekol
mardi mo al leson
mekredi ena enhancement
zedi mo vinn repetition
Vandredi mo zwe playstation
samdi mo vinn abaim
dimans mo al promne
apre la semen fini
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
Saturday Sunday
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
and then the weekend comes in
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
Saturday Sunday
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
and then the weekend comes in
-snip-
These lyrics are given as subtitles in that video.
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ENGLISH TRANSCRIPTION* - MONDAY I GO TO SCHOOL
(Mauritian children's song by ABAIM)
Monday I go to school
Tuesday I get lessons [homework?]
Wednesday I get enhanced lessons [more difficult lessons; homework]
Thursday I repeat [review?] the lessons/homework I have received]
Friday I'm allowed to play with [my] playstation [video games]
Saturday I go to Abaim
Sunday I go to program [church?]
And then the week is finished
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
Saturday Sunday
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
and then the weekend comes in
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
Saturday Sunday
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
and then the weekend comes in
-snip-
*Transcription by Azizi Powell from the video.
I don't know any language except English. Therefore, the part of this transcription that is from Mauritian Creole to English may be incorrect. Additions and corrections are very are welcome.
Etymology
From Old French semaine, from Late Latin septimāna (“week”), from the Latin septimānus (“related to the seventh element of a series”, adjective), derived from septimus (“seventh”).
This post showcases eight YouTube examples of the South African (Zulu) lullaby "Tula Baba" ("Thula Mama", "Tula Sana" & Other Similar Titles). Information about this song and Zulu lyrics with English translations to some of these examples are given after those videos or sound files. The same or similar lyrics and their translations may be slightly different.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to the unknown composer/s of this South African folk song. Thanks to the composers, arrangers, and the performers of these featured versions of this song.
This is only a small number of versions of Tula Baba" ("Thula Mama", "Tula Sana" etc) that are available on YouTube. Those examples can be found by title using YouTube's search engine.
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FEATURED EXAMPLES
These examples of this Zulu lullaby are presented in alphabetical order based on that version's title, i.e. the examples titled "Tula Baba" (or "Thula Baba") are given before the examples titled "Tula Mama" (or "Thula Mama") etc. The examples with the same title are given in chronological order based on their publishing date on YouTube with the oldest dated example given first.
Example #1: Tula Baba song - Miriam Makeba
bethulie13 , Uploaded on Jan 29, 2009
The Zulu's use this song to help their crying babies to relax and then sleep.
Song text:
Tula Tu Tula baba Tula sana Tul'umam 'uzobuya ekuseni Tula Tu Tula baba Tula sana Tul'umam 'uzobuya ekuseni (be silent baby keep silent mama will be back in the morning). Hush my baby close your eyes Time to fly to paradise Till the sunlight brings you home You must dream your dreams alone Tula Tu Tula baba Tula sana Tul'umam 'uzobuya ekuseni Tula Tu Tula baba Tula sana Tul'umam 'uzobuya ekuseni (be silent baby keep silent mama will be back in the morning).
Hush my baby go to sleep I'll be with you counting sheep Dreams will take you far away Sleep until the break of day Tula Tu Tula baba Tula sana Tul'umam 'uzobuya ekuseni (be silent baby keep silent mama will be back in the morning). Dudududududud ...
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"Thula" is a clip (shortened form) of the isiZulu word for peace "ukuthula".[Source: Google translate] "Thula" is also written as "tula". "Thula" is also used as a Zulu female name. [Source: http://www.behindthename.com/submit/names/usage/southern-african/2.
Here are some notes about another version of this song from http://www.mamalisa.com/?t=es&p=3183&c=69 also includes the same or similar lyrics for this song.
"Thula Baba is traditional Zulu lullaby. Sometimes it's called "Thula Thul"...
This song is sometimes sung about the "father" or "little man" (using "baba" and "ubaba"), sometimes "mama"(using "mama" or "umama"). In some versions, you'll hear "thula ntwana", which means, "hush little child" ("prince" or "princess")....*
Comments
I received the following note about this song from Wynand Serfontein:
"When I was in school (in the 70's) I learned the English version (only one verse) below:
Choir
There's a burning star to lead your daddy home
He'll come from afar, no matter where you'll roam
Rest your angry heart, my baby, don't you cry
Soon you'll see him come across the bended sky.
Although this does not seem to be a good literal translation, it has rhythm and rime, and (as far as I can remember) fits the melody correctly. I am not sure if you have seen this version before. I cannot remember the Zulu parts, though. Only enough that this verse stuck with me for many years, since I think it is heartbreakingly beautiful and honest in the context of a child whose father works far from home.""
-snip-
*The Zulu words for father and mother are "ubaba". The Zulu word for "child" is "ingane". In different versions of this Zulu lullaby a female child is called "little mama" and a male child is called "little father" ("little daddy", little man.)
Some African Americans and some people of other races or ethnicities also call their children "little mama" or "little man". For example, click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/03/funky-y2c-african-american-vernacular.html for Part I of a three part pancocojams series about the song "Funky Y2C" (also known as "Hey Little Mama" (Why You Dance So Funky").
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Example #2: Thula Baba - Singi Prisiri (Zulu traditionals)
Singiprisiri96 Uploaded on Sep 17, 2011
Singi Prisiri 96 sings Zulu traditionals
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Example #3: THULA BABA - An Afrikan Lullaby by Soweto Gospel Choir
mBraunboeck3 Published on Mar 13, 2012
-snip-
Here are the English translation and the Zulu lyrics of this song from that sound file's discussion thread:
In English
Kee[p] quiet, my child, keep quiet my baby,
Daddy will be home by dawn,
There's a star that will lead him home.
The star will brighten his way home
The hills and stones are still the same my love
My life has changed, yes my life has changed
The children grow but you don't know my love
The children grew but you don't see them grow
In Zulu
Thula thul, thula baba, thula sana,
Thul'u babuzo ficka, eku seni. (repeat)
Kukh'in khan-yezi, zi-holel' u baba,
Zim-khan yi-sela indlel'e ziyak-haya,
Sobe sik hona xa bonke be-shoyo,
Be-thi bu-yela u-bu-ye le khaya,
Thula thula thula baba,
Thula thula thula sana,
Thula thula thula baba,
Thula thula thula san.
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Example #4: Vusi Mahlasela sings - Thula Mama
Through the mist of tears in your eyes
On my childhood memory
I know the truth in your smile
I know the truth in your smile
Piercing through the gloom of my ignorance
There is mama lying down sleeping
Very ill and heart crying
Wondering wondering wondering
What is this world coming to.
Is it right
That such small children must feed for themselves
Is it right
Mothers struggling in this uncertain world
Is it right
Heaping trouble on an old lady’s head
Is it right?
I’m asking you dammit!!!
Chorus:
Thula mama thula mama
Thula mama thula mama
Tomorrow it’s gonna be better
Tomorrow it’s gonna be better
Na hi ronama
Na hi ronama
Thula don’t cry
Thula mama
Thula mama
-snip-
Vusi Mahlasela's version of "Thula Mama" includes scatting.
Click https://www.ted.com/talks/vusi_mahlasela_sings_thula_mama/transcript?language=en for a transcript of a longer version of Vusi Mahlasela's performance of this song.That longer version is also found on YouTube.
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Example #5: DEEP LEVEL - Thula Mama(Official Video)
Gaoza Gaoza, Uploaded on Nov 19, 2011
-snip-
Deep Level's version includes rapping
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Example #6: ΝΑΝΟΥΡΙΣΜΑ Thula Mtwana (a south African lullaby) - Ladysmith Black Mambazo
NTOREMIradio, Published on Aug 3, 2013
-snip-
Here's a summary description of Ladysmith Black Mambazo's version of this song from another YouTube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJYNIrynOmg Leib Ostrow, Nov 8, 2012
"This is a beautiful animated version of a south African song performed by the grammy winning group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo. The song is also the music for a Rice Krispies add in the United Kingdom. The animation was produced in Russia by Metronome films. The music was produced by Music for Little People in conjunction with a whole Ladysmith Black Mambazo recording for children called Gift of the Tortoise. All music is available from Amazon.com and ITunes”
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Example #7: Umoja - Thula Sana
Evertone Siwela Uploaded on Apr 9, 2010
After touring over 26 countries, AFRICA UMOJA is returning to SA shores to continue on their journey. AFRICA UMOJA: The Spirit of Togetherness the tale of South Africa, its people and their song.
Travelling on the beats of drums, from the dusty streets of Soweto to all the corners of the worlds best and biggest stages, AFRICA UMOJA tells the moving tale of indigenous South African music - from the earliest rhythms to kwaito...
Despite its occasional moments of reflection and pathos, AFRICA UMOJA is a loud, colourful, and jubilant celebration of life that audiences whatever their cultural backgrounds have found infectiously delightful and uplifting. The 40-piece cast made up from a myriad of South African cultures has its own touching story to tell
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Example #8: Drakensberg Boys Choir - Thula thula.wmv
treblechoir99, Uploaded on Nov 29, 2010
Lullaby from South african(Zulu)
-snip-
Selected comments from this sound file's discussion thread.
[referring to the photograph that is shown with this sound file]
2011
smehylton4
"This is a Zulu song then why is an Owambo with her baby in the picture?"
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Reply
treblechoir99
"@smehylton you are a great connoisseur. Forget the land, It's for the beauty from this photo, I know It's not from Zulu's people."
2012
Reply
Engelhardt Unaeb
"It's not a oshiwambo woman by the way, it's a Himba woman, understand usage of photo..."
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treblechoir99
"Yes I know. I put this image for the mother and the child. Thank you for your precision, really appreciated."
This pancocojams post presents five East African video examples of the children's call & response song "Shake Shake Shake The Mango Tree" This song is also found as "Shake Shake Shake That Mango Tree", "Shake A Mango Tree" and similar titles.
Lyrics for "Shake Shake Shake The Mango Tree" and some information about that song are also included in this post. The Addendum to this post provides some information about mango trees and fruit.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to the composer of "Shake Shake Shake The Mango Tree". Thanks also to all those who are featured in these videos, the producers and publishers of these videos, and all those who are quoted in this post.
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INFORMATION ABOUT THIS SONG
"Shake Shake Shake The Mango Tree" is a call & response childrens song or chant. "Echo songs" is a relatively recent term for "call and response chants or songs. However, "echo songs" describe only one type of call & response compositions - those in which a lead vocalist chants or sings one line and the group immediately repeats the same exact words. In other call & response songs or chants, the leader sings or chants a line and the group response with a different word or words.
I'm not sure who composed the song "Shake Shake Shake The Mango Tree". The earliest date that I found for this song online was Dec 11, 2010 publication date for the video given as Example #1 below.
By far the most popular video of this song to date is the video given as Example #2 below. That video was shown on a 2011 episode of the syndicated American children's television show Sesame Street. As of August 20, 2015 at 7:09 Pm EST] that video has 1,965,729 viewer hits. All the other videos of that song have much less than 1,000 viewer hits.
It may be no coincidence that each of the videos of "Shake Shake Shake The Mango Tree" that are showcased in this post, and other videos of that song appear to be from East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda). Each of those videos feature young children who attend an American or United Kingdom NGOs' (non-profit organizations') school or community based program. It's therefore possible that the song could have come from the United States.
"Shake Shake Shake The Mango Tree" is included in a 2012 CD entitled “One for All” that was recorded by Lea (Lea Morris), a female African American singer/ songwriter from the Washington, D.C. area. http://www.sears.com/cd-baby-com-indys-lea-one-for-all-cd/p-SPM8462192402. Given the 2012 release date of that Cd, I'm not sure if Lea wrote that song or learned it from its inclusion on the 2011 "Sesame Street" episode.
Information about the composer of "Shake Shake Shake The Mango Tree" may be found on the Games Music Books Movies & More Anytime, Anywhere" website. That website is restricted to members who enroll by giving a credit card number. I chose not to do that.
Any information about the composition of this song would be greatly appreciated.
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LYRICS: SHAKE SHAKE SHAKE THE MANGO TREE
(composer?)
GIRL: [SINGING] Shake, shake, the mango tree.
CHILDREN: Shake, shake, the mango tree.
GIRL: Shake, shake, the mango tree.
CHILDREN: Shake, shake, the mango tree.
GIRL: Mango yellow, mango green.
CHILDREN: Mango yellow, mango green.
GIRL: Mango yellow, mango green.
CHILDREN: Mango yellow, mango green.
GIRL: One for you, and one for me.
CHILDREN: One for you and one for me.
GIRL: One for you, and one for me.
CHILDREN: One for you, and one for me.
GIRL: Shake, shake, the mango tree.
CHILDREN: Shake, shake, the mango tree.
GIRL: Shake, shake, the mango tree.
CHILDREN: Shake, shake, the mango tree.
Additional lines for this song could be added to reflect the fact that there there are other colors of mangos besides yellow or green. For example, the line "Mango red, mango orange" could also be sung.
Read that information about the colors of mangos in the Addendum below.
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EDITOR'S COMMENT
It's traditional in a number of African nations for males and females to wear their hair shaved or cut very closely as children and as adults.
Some commenters writing in the discussion thread for the Sesame Street video wondered why boys were wearing skirts or dresses. Those comments could have been made without malice because the commenters were unfamiliar with that hairstyle tradition.
Unfortunately, a number of comments in that video were racists and some commenters could have written their comments about the children's appearance because of their racism.
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FEATURED VIDEOS
Example #1: Cecil Kindergarten 5th Anniversary - Shake the Mango Tree
Leo van Iersel, Uploaded on Dec 11, 2010
The children of Cecil Kindergarten in Mombasa (Kenya) sing a song about a mango tree [Kenya]
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Example #2: Sesame Street: Song: Shake Shake The Mango Tree
Sesame Street Uploaded on Jan 13, 2012
Sing along and shake the mango tree!
For more fun games and videos for your preschooler in a safe, child-friendly environment, visit us at http://www.sesamestreet.org
Sesame Street is a production of Sesame Workshop, a nonprofit educational organization which also produces Pinky Dinky Doo, The Electric Company, and other programs for children around the world.
-snip-
Two commenters on that video's discussion thread identified in the lead singer as "Edith". One of those commenters noted that Edith moved to North Carolina and was her classmate and friend. "Edith" is probably Edith Nyanga who wrote a comment thanking people in 2014.
For the record (no pun intended), that discussion thread also includes misinformation that this video was filmed in Nigeria. The online description for the Sesame Street 2011 episode clearly indicates that this video (whose song was listed as "Shake Shake Shake That Mango Tree" was filmed in Uganda: http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Episode_4277
"Episode 4277 Sesame Street
Plot: Falling Leaves
Air date: December 30, 2011
Season: Season 42 (2011-2012)
Kids in Uganda recite a chant - "Shake Shake That Mango Tree."
(Filmed and directed by non-profit organization Fount of Mercy in the village of Lawanda, Uganda.[1])
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Example #3: SPE Mini - Shake Shake the Mango Tree
Soft Power Education Published on May 6, 2014 [Uganda]
-snip-
Here's information about Soft Power Education: http://www.softpowereducation.com/
"Soft Power Education is a British registered charity and Ugandan NGO working with communities in Uganda to improve quality of life through education."
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Example #4: Thrive LIFE Kenya Humanitarian Trip. "Shake the Mango Tree!" My favorite song!
Rachel Chad Mano, Published on Jul 11, 2014 [Kenya]
AMAP (African Modern Arts Project) Nursery Students, singing at their Morning Assembly
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ADDENDUM: INFORMATION ABOUT MANGOS
From http://www.wikihow.com/Pick-a-Good-Mango
"There are roughly 1,100 varieties of mango grown in the world, with the majority of the fruit coming from India. They're also grown in Mexico, throughout South America, and in a variety of tropical locations. Depending on the time of year and the region they come from, mangoes are available in a wide variety of colors, shapes, and sizes.[1] To pick a good mango, you can learn a little bit about the features of the most common varieties and learn what to look for to find the best one."...
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From http://www.wikihow.com/Tell-if-a-Mango-Is-Ripe
..."Do not fixate on the color [of mangos to determine if they are ripe]. A red hue is often and indication of how much sun exposure a mango has received, not an indication of freshness.[3] Moreover, the color of a ripe mango varies based on the mango variety. You should never rely only on color to determine if a mango is ripe, but if you want to use color as a backup indicator, you must first understand how certain varieties are supposed to look once ripe.
•The Ataulfo mango turns a deep, golden color when ripe.
•The Francis mango will be a blend of green and gold when ripe. The green tint of the yellow skin fades, gradually turning more gold. Note that some green will still remain, however.
•The Haden mango turns from green to yellow once ripe. This variety is more prone to reddening, as well, but it does not need to be red in order to be ripe.
•The Keitt mango will remain green even once it becomes ripe.
•The Kent mango will remain mostly dark green, but it often has yellow undertones or yellow dots over various portions of the mango once it ripens.
•The Tommy Atkins mango provides little to no visual clues. The skin can remain yellow-green, turn golden, or develop a dark red blush.
•The Alphonse mango has a purple to yellow skin once ripe.
•The Edward mango has skin that can be pink, yellow, or some blend of the two.
•The Kesar mango can remain green once ripe, but they often take on a yellow hue.
•The Manila mango usually has an orange-yellow hue when ripe, but occasionally, the skin can also turn pink.
•The Palmer mango can vary in color, often appearing purple, red, yellow, or some mix of the three."
