The house band of the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation was established on 26 March 1968, with initial funding coming from the German Embassy in Malawi. In their early years the MBC Band composed arrangements inspired by local folk lyrics and rhythms from traditional dances, later incorporating contemporary music from South Africa and other influences. The group served as a training ground for many Malawian musicians until its disbandment in 2001.
Mjura Mkandawire was the first MBC staff member to be the supervisor of the band, with guitar player William Malekula as lead. The MBC Band frequently played with a group of female singers, The Chichiri Queens. Over the lifetime of the group the members of The Chichiri Queens have included Agnes Majawa, Sylvia Chapotera, Nancy Mchawe, Patricia Mayor and Maria Chidzanja-Nkhoma.
Together, the MBC Band and The Chichiri Queens played local music from all over the country with the following track, “Mwana wa Mzako”, originating from a traditional Mganda song sung by women that was adapted by the band.
This sad song tackles the theme of loving and caring for each others children and concerns the evil shown by one woman who cruelly punished another child’s misbehaviour.
My thanks to Waliko Makhala of the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation for the translation and transcription that follows.
Your Friend’s Child
Your friend’s child
When your friend’s child has wronged you
Do not poison him!
It is sad when the mother cries
“Why has my child died?
He has died at their homestead.”
This woman has an evil heart
No…
This woman has an evil heart
No…
This woman is a beast
You are not my relatives
This woman is a beast
No…
This woman is a beast
You are not my relatives
This woman is a beast
No…
This woman is a beast
You are not my relatives
This woman is a beast
No…
This woman is a beast
You are not my relatives
This woman is a beast
No…
This woman has an evil heart
No…
This woman has an evil heart
No…
This woman is a beast
You are not my relatives
This woman is a beast
No…
This woman has an evil heart
No…
This woman has an evil heart
No…
(Repeats to end)
Mwana Wa Mzako
Mwana wa mzako
Mwana wa mzako akaipa
Usamuthilile mankhwala mwana!
Amake polira iyiyi toto
“Mwana wanga wafelanji iyiyi toto?
Wafera pankhomo pa anthuwa.”
Mwana wa mzako
Mwana wa mzako akaipa
Usamuthilile mankhwala mwana!
Amake polira iyiyi toto
“Mwana wanga wafelanji iyiyi toto?
Wafera pankhomo pa anthuwa.”
Kuipa mtima kuli ndi amayiwa
Mkaula…
Kuipa mtima kuli ndi amayiwa
Mkaula…
Inu amyi nchilombo yeee
Siambale anga awa
N’chilombo yeee
Mkaula…
Inu amyi nchilombo yeee
Siambale anga awa
N’chilombo yeee
Mkaula…
Inu amyi nchilombo yeee
Siambale anga awa
N’chilombo yeee
Mkaula…
Inu amyi nchilombo yeee
Siambale anga awa
N’chilombo yeee
Mkaula…
Kuipa mtima kuli ndi amayiwa
Mkaula…
Kuipa mtima kuli ndi amayiwa
Mkaula…
Inu amyi nchilombo yeee
Siambale anga awa
N’chilombo yeee
Mkaula…
(Repeats to end)
The MBC Band and The Chichiri Queens,
from the Malawi Broadcasting Corporations archives,
translated and transcribed by Waliko Makhala.
