Following World War Two, Malawian soldiers who had fought for the British returned home bringing back banjos and guitars. These instruments became popular across Malawi in the 1950’s and 60’s, with many bands springing up across the country.
This is a song composed by Barton Harry, one of the popular banjo players in Malawi who played in a duo with Kausale on acoustic guitar. A few of the pioneers of this tradition recorded in Lusaka, Zambia and later on in Zimbabwe as migrant Malawian artists.
Absalom is a Biblical figure, the third son of David, King of Israel. One of King David’s favourite sons, Absalom’s rebellious streak leads him to declare himself king and attempt to usurp the throne. He is killed in the Battle of Ephraim’s Wood and becomes a figure representing false ambition, vainglory, and unfilial conduct in the Bible.
My thanks to Waliko Makhala of the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation for the transcription and translation that follows.
Oooh, Absalom my child
Absalom, why have you died?
He died at war with his brethren
Oooh, Absalom my child
Absalom, why have you died?
He died at war with his brethren
Absalom, why have you died?
This verse is repeated four times, the song concludes with the following lyrics:
Mayo! (1)
My child, why have you died?
We are sending our greetings to all those
Who stay in Bangwe! (2)
These are the lyrics in the original Chichewa.
Oooh, Abisalomu mwana wanga
Abisalomu, eti waferanji?
Anafa ndi nkhondo yakale yomweyi
Ooh Abisalomu, mwana wanga
Abisalomu eti waferanji?
Anafa ndi nkhondo yakale yomweyi
Abisalomu mwaferanji?
Mayo!
Mwana wanga, mwaferanji?
Akupeleka moni kwa onse
Okhala ku Bangwe!
by Barton Harry and Kausale,
recorded in the early 1970’s,
from the Malawi Broadcasting Corporations archives,
translated and transcribed by Waliko Makhala.
Footnotes
- Mayo! meaning “Mother!” as an expression of sorrow.
- Bangwe is a town near Limbe in Malawi, possibly where this recording was made.
