Oral Poetry from Africa
A song from the Kalela Dance of the Zambian Copperbelt. The original language of this song is a form of Bemba spoken on the Copperbelt and easily understood by other people working in the mines. Most of the songs comment satirically on life on the Copperbelt.
The Watchtower were trying cunningly to convert me on Saturday,
That I should go to their meeting-place at two o’clock on Sunday.
A Chopi song from southern Mozambique. This song is taken from one of the Chopi Migodo (sing. Ng’godo). These are long entertainments, each lasting for some forty-five minutes, played on orchestras of massed timbila, or xylophones.
Hark how the music thunders!
Listen with your wives and hear the call.
O jade ko da enu ona koja.
It goes outside, it does not cross the threshold.
Debbo baleejo metta-hakkiiloojo.
A black woman with a nasty temper.
Chyathie ikenegenaga chyoka ikerete.
Going they talk much, coming back they keep silent.
Dan Sarki bisa keso
A Prince on the mat.
