Who has not heard of the famous African love song ‘Malaika?’ The best known version of this song is the one sung by Mama Africa, Miriam Makeba. It is a Swahili song written by Tanzanian Adam Salim in 1945, who composed “Malaika” for his very beautiful girlfriend Halima Ramadhani Maruwa. Their parents disapproved of their relationship, and Halima was forced by her parents to marry an Asian tajir (wealthy man). The song is sung by a poor young man who wishes to marry his beloved ″Angel″ or ″Little bird″ but is defeated by the bride price.
This song is the most famous of all Swahili love songs in Tanzania, Kenya and the entire East Africa, as well as being one of the most widely known of all Swahili songs in the world; again, it was made popular around the globe by Miriam Makeba. Malaika means “angel” in Swahili, and this word has always been used by the Swahili speakers to refer to a beautiful girl. So this is to all the angels out there for this Valentine day.
| Malaika
Malaika, nakupenda Malaika Malaika, nakupenda Malaika Nami nifanyeje, kijana mwenzio Nashindwa na mali sina, we, Ningekuoa Malaika Nashindwa na mali sina, we, Kidege, hukuwaza kidege Kidege, hukuwaza kidege Nami nifanyeje, kijana mwenzio Nashindwa na mali sina, we, Ningekuoa Malaika Nashindwa na mali sina, we, Pesa zasumbua roho yangu Pesa zasumbua roho yangu Nami nifanyeje, kijana mwenzio Ningekuoa Malaika Nashindwa na mali sina, we, |
Angel
Angel, I love you angel Angel, I love you angel and I, what should I do, your young friend I am defeated by the bride price that I don’t have I would marry you, angel I am defeated by the bride price that I don’t have Little bird, I think of you little bird Little bird, I think of you little bird and I, what should I do, your young friend I am defeated by the bride price that I don’t have I would marry you, angel The money (which I do not have) depresses my soul I would marry you, angel I am defeated by the bride price that I don’t have |
African Heritage 
This song makes me feel peace.
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True… I agree with you aquacompass7, it is very peaceful, and full of love.
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