'60s Africa found the Zulu and Sotho beginning to incorporate the influences of African American R&B, jazz, and blues into their traditional, indigenous music. New styles such as township jazz, pennywhistle street music, Kwela, and marabi were formed. Eventually, these myriad styles coalesced to create a new hybrid pop music that came to be known as mbaqanga. Though mbaqanga employs the traditional instrumentation of Western pop (guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, and vocals), the approach to song structure and rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic phrasing is uniquely African.
Recorded between 1981 and 1984, THE INDESTRUCTIBLE BEAT OF SOWETO is the first (and arguably the best) of a slew of South African pop recordings that soon followed. Characterized by insistent, rhythmically complex beats, elastic, burbling basslines, tight, ska-sounding guitar accompaniment, and thick, multi-part vocals, this music is as intriguing as it is appealing. Groups with such names as Udokotela Shange Namajaha and Amaswazi Emvelo serve up bright, infectious melodies and percussively insistent tracks that are clearly intended for dancing. Though this "pop" may at first seem strange to Western ears, repeated listens reveal its true nature: rich, individual, joyous, and simply wonderful music.
Siwuhambile Umhlaba
Amaswazi Emvelo Lyrics
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Bazali bethu siwuhambile umhlaba
Bazali bethu siwuhambile umhlaba
Sithi siyozama
Sehlulekile
Sithi siyozama
Sehlulekile
Bazali bethu siwuhambile umhlaba
Bazali bethu siwuhambile umhlaba
Bazali bethu siwuhambile umhlaba
Sithi siyozama
Sehlulekile
Sithi siyozama
Sehlulekile
Manj'umhlab'usishayile
Manj'umhlab'usishayile (Usishayile)
Manj'umhlab'usishayile (Usishayile)
Manj'umhlab'usishayile
Sikhumbul'ubaba nomama (Siyabakhumbula)
Sikhumbul'ubaba nomama (Siyabakhumbula)
Sikhumbul'ubaba nomama
Le kwaphenduka
Le kwaphenduka
Esigangeni le kwaphenduka ngathi
Oh le kwaphenduka
Le kwaphenduka
Le kwaphenduka
Esigangeni le kwaphenduka ngathi
Besihambela thina ukuthi
Kodwa silale sidlile (Besizamela thina)
Besihambela thina ukuthi
Kodwa silale sidlile (Besihambela thina)
Besihambela thina ukuthi
Kodwa silale sidlile
Manj'umhlab'usishayile
Manj'umhlab'usishayile (Usishayile)
Manj'umhlab'usishayile (Usishayile)
Manj'umhlab'usishayile
Sikhumbul'ubaba nomama (Weth'ubaba nomama)
Sikhumbul'ubaba nomama (Baba nomama)
Sikhumbul'ubaba nomama
Le kwaphenduka
Le kwaphenduka
Esigangeni le kwaphenduka ngathi
Le kwaphenduka
Le kwaphenduka
Esigangeni le kwaphenduka ngathi
Besihambela thina ukuthi
Kodwa silale sidlile (Oh besihambela thina)
Besihambela thina ukuthi
Kodwa silale sidlile (Oh besihambela)
Besihambela thina ukuthi
Kodwa silale sidlile
Manj'umhlab'usishayile
Manj'umhlab'usishayile (Usishayile)
Manj'umhlab'usishayile (Usishayile)
Manj'umhlab'usishayile
Sikhumbul'ubaba nomama (Oh maye)
Sikhumbul'ubaba nomama (Siyabakhumbula)
Sikhumbul'ubaba nomama
Le kwaphenduka
Le kwaphenduka
Esigangeni le kwaphenduka ngathi
The lyrics to this Amaswazi Emvelo and Mahlathini song, Siwuhambile Umhlaba, explore the idea of leaving one's homeland and trying to start anew. The repetitive refrain, "bazali bethu siwuhambile umhlaba," translates to "our parents, we have traveled the world." The song recognizes the sacrifices made by parents and ancestors in leaving their homes, and the difficulties in trying to carve out a new life.
The song also touches upon the theme of perseverance and the need to keep trying even when faced with obstacles. The lyrics say, "Sithi siyozama, sehlulekile," meaning "we will keep trying, even when we are exhausted." The repetition of this phrase emphasizes the importance of determination and resilience.
In the latter part of the song, the lyrics shift focus to remembrance and appreciation for parents and ancestors who have passed away. The phrase "sikhumbula ubaba nomama" translates to "we remember our father and mother," and reinforces the importance of remembering those who came before and their sacrifices.
Overall, Siwuhambile Umhlaba is a song that acknowledges the challenges of leaving one's homeland, but celebrates the spirit of resilience and the importance of honoring those who have come before.
Line by Line Meaning
Bazali bethu siwuhambile umhlaba
Our parents, we have traveled the world
Sithi siyozama
We say we will try
Sehlulekile
It's tough
Manj'umhlab'usishayile
The world has beaten us
Sikhumbul'ubaba nomama
We remember our father and mother
Le kwaphenduka
When it got tough
Esigangeni le kwaphenduka ngathi
We feel like we're in a corner
Besihambela thina ukuthi
We traveled to find
Kodwa silale sidlile
But we ended up sleeping hungry
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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