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;
Who went to fetch firewood,
Who went to fetch firewood,
Let’s go to Zinjanja;
They discovered some eggs,
They discovered some eggs,
Let’s go to Zinjanja;
Saying, ‘What kind are they?’
Saying, ‘What kind are they?’
Let’s go to Zinjanja;
Saying, ‘It’s partridge’,
Saying, ‘It’s partridge’,
Let’s go to Zinjanja;
Saying, ‘It’s guinea fowl’,
Saying, ‘It’s guinea fowl’,
Let’s go to Zinjanja;
But they were owl’s eggs! (1)
But they were owl’s eggs!
Let’s go to Zinjanja;
U‑vu-we‑e! (2)
U‑vu-we‑e!
Let’s go to Zinjanja;
U‑vu-we‑e!
U‑vu-we‑e!
Let’s go to Zinjanja!
from Oral Poetry from Africa (1984),
Compiled by Jack Mapanje and Landeg White,
Longman
Footnotes
- Owls’ eggs are, of course, unlucky.
- U‑vu-we‑e!: A wailing sound.
