Oral Poetry from Africa
This is another version of the song in praise of palm-wine, attributed to Liyongo the national hero of the Swahili people. See also Liyongo’s Drinking Song for a different version of this song.
O tapster of soured wine,
from the sheath of the withered palm…
Palm wine is an alcoholic beverage created from the sap of various species of palm tree. This is a popular Yorùbá song in praise of the drink.
Alimotu of the gourd
Lamihun in the fibrous clump…
A Fulani chain riddle from northern Nigeria. This is a word game for two people. One makes up a line, and the other has to add a second line beginning with the last word of the first. In the process, the players are constantly devising fresh metaphor.
The foreigner salutes you?
Salutes imply royalty?..
A Nandi children’s song from Kenya, a humorous word-chain that links together all aspects of the children’s future life.
Who will throw goat’s dung at me?
What will you do with goat’s dung?..
A popular Zulu song from Johannesburg. The singer refers mockingly to the repressive apparatus of the apartheid state.
Come here my beloved,
Come, give me a kiss…
A Shona children’s song from Zimbabwe. “Zinjanja”, mentioned in the chorus, refers to a hill to the east of Harare where the ruins of an ancient temple are located. This is believed to have been built by the Torwa Rulers who lived there from approximately 1450 to 1693 AD.
There were once some girls,
There were once some girls,
Let’s go to Zinjanja…
