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Witch Doctor
Miriam Makeba Lyrics


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Sahamba noDudu sayofun'isangoma
Safik'isangoma sath'umntan'uyagula
Sahamba noDudu sayofun'isangoma
Safik'isagoma sath'umntan'uyagula

Umntan'uyagula
Uphethwe yini na?
Umntan'uyagula
Umthakath'usendlini

Umntan'uyagula
Uphethwe yini na?
Umntan'uyagula
Umthakath'usendlini

Babo sahamba noDudu sayofun'isangoma
Safik'isangoma sath'umntan'uyagula
Sahamba noDudu sayofun'isangoma
Safik'isangoma sath'umntan'uyagula

Umntan'uyagula
Uphethwe yini na?
Umntan'uyagula
Umthakath'usendlini

Umntan'uyagula
Uphethwe yini na?
Umntan'uyagula
Umthakath'usendlini

Sahamba noDudu sayofun'isangoma
Safik'isangoma sath'umntan'uyagula
Sahamba noDudu sayofun'isangoma
Safik'isangoma sath'umntan'uyagula

Umntan'uyagula
Uphethwe yini na?
Umntan'uyagula
Umthakath'usendlini

Umntan'uyagula
Uphethwe yini na?
Umntan'uyagula
Umthakath'usendlini

Sahamba noDudu sayofun'isangoma

Overall Meaning

The song "Witch Doctor" by Miriam Makeba is sung in Zulu, a language of the Zulu people in South Africa, and tells the story of a young man who is ill and seeks the help of a traditional healer or "sangoma". It opens with the line "Sahamba noDudu sayofun'isangoma" which translates to "Dudu is leaving, she's going to see a sangoma". The repetition of this line throughout the song suggests that Dudu is likely going to see more than one sangoma and is seeking a cure for her illness.


The chorus of the song repeats the line "Umntan'uyagula" which means "the young man is sick". The following lines ask why he is sick and suggest that it may be due to witchcraft or a curse, with the line "Umthakath'usendlini" translating to "the witch in the house". The repetition of these lines reinforces the urgency and seriousness of the young man's illness and the need for a solution.


Overall, the song conveys the importance and role of traditional healers and beliefs in Zulu culture and the power and fear associated with witchcraft and curses.


Line by Line Meaning

Sahamba noDudu sayofun'isangoma
Dudu is going to see a witch doctor


Safik'isangoma sath'umntan'uyagula
They arrive at the witch doctor, indicating that someone in the village is sick


Umntan'uyagula
The sick person


Uphethwe yini na?
What caused the illness?


Umthakath'usendlini
The presence of an evil spirit in the house




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

Mfundo Piti


on To Those We Love (Nongqongqo)

At the time the song was composed and released all the people mentioned ((Mangaliso) Sobukhwe, (Albert) Luthuli, (Nelson) Mandela, and (Walter) Sisulu were alive. While the three were in prison at Robben Island, Luthuli was not in prison, hence the question to Luthuli asking what "will you do?". Luthuli was the president of the banned African National Congress (ANC). Sobukhwe the president of Pan Africanist Congress (PAC). Mandela and Sisulu occupied executive leadership positions within the ANC at the time of their sentencing to serve life sentences in prison (1964). The same question is asked to all Africans.

Mfundo Piti


on To Those We Love (Nongqongqo)

The lyrics of "To Those We Love" by Miriam Makeba are about the struggles, sacrifices, and resilience of great African leaders who fought for freedom, justice, and equality. The repetitive chorus, "Bahleli bonke entilongweni, Bahleli bonke kwaNongqongqo" refers to how all these leaders, including Sobukwe, Luthuli, Mandela, and Sisulu, are resting in peace or buried in their respective homes. The verses pose questions about their legacy and the continuation of their work, asking "Why, Baba Luthuli? What will you do?" and "What will happen to us, MaAfrica?" These questions are a call to action for listeners to carry on the struggle for freedom and justice.

Junior


on Soweto Blues

The melancholy in her voice

Junior


on Mama

It makes me cry I could not bury my mother cause I was in prison when I ask prison authorities to allow me an opportunity to go and attend the funeral they refused. We always underestimate the role of women

no


on Beware, Verwoerd! (Ndodemnyama)

no
hi! i enjoted. this song. i loved it

Matt Olomu


on Noweva

This is your challenge, South Africans who understand the lyrics of NOWEVER. Do yourselves and Africa a favour. Interpret it.