Tag: African love song

African Love Anthem: ‘Malaika’

On By Dr. Y.In Great Art, Great Music, Great People2 Comments
A box of Valentine's day chocolate
A box of Valentine’s day chocolate

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.

A true African beauty: Mama Africa, Miriam Makeba
A true African beauty: Mama Africa, Miriam Makeba

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,
Ningekuoa Malaika

Kidege, hukuwaza kidege

Kidege, hukuwaza kidege

Nami nifanyeje, kijana mwenzio

Nashindwa na mali sina, we,

Ningekuoa Malaika

Nashindwa na mali sina, we,
Ningekuoa Malaika

Pesa zasumbua roho yangu

Pesa zasumbua roho yangu

Nami nifanyeje, kijana mwenzio

Ningekuoa Malaika

Nashindwa na mali sina, we,
Ningekuoa Malaika

 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
I would marry you, angel

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
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
The money (which I do not have) depresses my soul
and I, what should I do, your young friend

I would marry you, angel

I am defeated by the bride price that I don’t have
I would marry you, angel

“Iyawo Mi” by Timi Dakolo

On By Dr. Y.In Great Music, Great PeopleLeave a comment
A box of Valentine's day chocolate
A box of Valentine’s day chocolate

In celebration of Valentine’s day which is going to be this Sunday, the song ‘Iyawo Mi‘ by Nigerian singer Timi Dakolo seems appropriate. The song is about a promise of love to that precious one… it is a ‘forever and for always‘ promise. It is a beautiful song which can be played at weddings as well. And the beat is simply amazing; it is a classic. The chorus: “Iyawo mi, Ololufe mi, Ore mi, Alayo mi, I will love you forever.” In Yorùbá, Iyawo mi = my wife, Ololufe mi = my lover, Ore mi = my friend, Alayo mi = my joy (one who brings me joy). It could be sung to a man as well, by substituting the words oko mi (my husband) to iyawo mi (my wife). Enjoy and happy Valentine’s day to all… and in reality, one day is not enough to tell that loved one about your love, everyday should be an occasion to declare your love, in some way, shape, or form; because in reality, all we have is today, the present (a gift)… make the best out of it!

 

Africa’s Love Anthem: ‘AMI O’ by Ebanda Manfred

On By Dr. Y.In Great Moments, Great Music, Great People6 Comments
'Ami Oh' and its many interpretations
‘Ami O’ and its many interpretations
Coeur
Coeur

In celebration of Valentine’s Day, I would like to talk about one of Africa’s great love songs, ‘AMI O‘. Many songs have made the entire continent shake, but few have had the dimensions of ‘AMI O‘ of Ebanda Manfred. ‘AMI O‘ is to Cameroonian and African music what ‘Guantanamera‘ is to Cuban and Latin music: a world classic. But ‘AMI O‘, ‘AMIO‘, ‘AMIE OH’, or ‘AMI OH’, or ‘AMIYO‘ is first and foremost a love song. It is a declaration of love, a love anthem. It has been reprised by over 20 world class artists among which, Bébé Manga, Papa Wemba, Francis Bebey, Angelique Kidjo, Manu Dibango, Monique Séka, Bisso Na Bisso, Nayanka Bell, Jacky Biho, Naima, Henri Salvador, André Astasié, and so many more.

Ebanda Manfred
Ebanda Manfred

Where did it all start? In 1960, 24-years old Ebanda Manfred fell head over heels in love with a teenage single mother from Yaoundé, Cameroon. The girl, Amié Essomba Brigitte, had to quit school to take care of her child. Madly in love, Ebanda Manfred told her of his feelings, but she told him that she could not start a love relationship until her child was weaned. Finding the wait too long, especially since he had to return to Douala the following year, Ebanda Manfred sang his despair and asked: “Amié, njika bunya so mo, oa mo o ma dubè no, na mba na tondi oa?”. Translation: “Amié, when will you finally believe in my love?” Thus the song “Amié ” was born. It became an instant hit when it came out in 1962. A year later, it was reprised by Francis Bebey. In 1980, the great Bébé Manga made an adaptation which brought her to the international stage, as she won the “Golden Maracas.” The song will be reprised by artists around the world, from the Carribbean to Latin America, and Europe.

Bebe Manga
Bebe Manga

In celebration of Valentine’s day, I live you with this great African love song. In Bébé Manga’s English version, the song clearly states “Amie (friend) oh, you are all I ever hoped for, everything I ever dreamt of, …” So tomorrow, don’t forget to sing AMI O to that special one, that one you longed for, and dreamt of, that special one in your life.