Khunju is a genre of traditional dance from southern Malawi that originated in the precolonial period. It is a women’s only dance (in contrast to the dances of the Malawian male initiatory secret society, Gule Wa Mkulu) performed by singers accompanied by drums and handclapping.
In the following piece the dancers perform within a circle surrounded by the singers and three drummers. The lead singers are joined by the chorus who repeat a simple refrain that builds into a chant that is continued throughout the song. The songs laments the lack of hospitality that has been shown to visitors to the village, their guests are returning home complaining about the treament they have received.
We don’t know the background to the recording and the song could simply record a minor social dispute. The song was performed in a Malawian village that lies close to the border with Mozambique. The intensity of the drumming suggests a more serious and eventful situation.
My thanks to Waliko Makhala of the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation for the translation and transcription that follows.
The Visitors Complained
The guests, the guests
The guests, the guests
The guests, the guests
The guests are going back complaining
The guests are going back complaining
The guests are going back complaining
The guests are going back complaining
The young women visiting are going back complaining
The young women visiting are going back complaining
The young women visiting are going back complaining
The young women visiting are going back complaining
They are complaining, Yes they are crying!
They are complaining, Yes they are crying!
They are complaining, Yes they are crying!
They are complaining, Yes they are crying!
They are complaining, Yes they are crying!
They are complaining, Yes they are crying!
They are complaining, Yes they are crying!
They are complaining, Yes they are crying!… (Repeated to the end)
Here are the lyrics in the original Chewa.
Aulendo Andandaula
Aulendo aye, aulendo aye
Aulendo aye, aulendo aye
Aulendo aye, aulendo aye
Aulendo ankanandandaula
Aulendo ankanandandaula
Aulendo ankanandandaula
Aulendo ankanandandaula
Aulendo atsikana ankanandaula
Aulendo atsikana ankanandaula
Aulendo atsikana ankanandaula
Aulendo atsikana ankanandaula
Ankanandaula, lira!
Ankanandaula, lira!
Ankanandaula, lira!
Ankanandaula, lira!
Ankanandaula, lira!
Ankanandaula, lira!
Ankanandaula, lira!
Ankanandaula, lira!…
Performed by Matengo women from Kalanga village,
Recorded in Mwanza district, Central Malawi,
from the Malawi Broadcasting Corporations archives,
translated and transcribed by Waliko Makhala.
