Arouna
Angйlique Kidjo Lyrics
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Oruko ni kaluku wa lo je igba was
Igba wa igba wa igba wa igba wa o igba wa
Igba wa igba wa igba wa igba wa o igba wa
haruna haru na isola aa 4x
haruna isola lo je oruko wa
Igba wa igba wa igba wa igba wa o igba wa
Igba wa igba wa igba wa igba wa o igba wa
haruna haru na isola aa 4x
e pe musiliu isola kin gbo seti,, musiliu musiliu o
E pe musiliu isola kin gbo seti,, musiliu musiliu o
musiliu musiliu mi babatundee ki o gbo ki o o to
The lyrics to Angélique Kidjo's song Arouna refer to the importance of names and identity in West African culture. The first verse, sung in Yoruba, tells the story of Haruna Isola and his name. The second verse calls out to Musiliu Isola, perhaps another important figure in West African history.
The phrase "lo je oruko wa" means "he eats his name." This may sound strange to Western ears, but in West African culture, a name is not just a label or a way of identifying someone. Names are believed to have power and to shape a person's future. By "eating his name," Haruna Isola is taking on that power and making it a part of himself.
The second line, "oruko ni kaluku wa lo je igba was," means "the name is like a necklace that we wear around our necks." This emphasizes the importance of names as a symbol of personal identity and cultural heritage. The repetition of "igba wa" in the chorus (meaning "our time" or "our generation") underscores the idea that identity is something that is passed down from generation to generation.
Overall, the song celebrates the richness and complexity of West African culture, and reminds us of the power of names and traditions in shaping who we are.
Line by Line Meaning
Haruna isola lo je oruko wa
Haruna and Isola are eating their names like a meal
Oruko ni kaluku wa lo je igba was
The name is a heavy load they carry like a container
Igba wa igba wa igba wa igba wa o igba wa
Time keeps passing and passing and passing and passing, oh it just keeps passing
Haruna haru na isola aa 4x
Haruna and Isola, their names are repeating and echoing
E pe musiliu isola kin gbo seti, musiliu musiliu o
They call out to Musiliu Isola to listen, Musiliu Musiliu oh
Musiliu musiliu mi babatundee ki o gbo ki o o to
Musiliu Musiliu, my Babatunde, won't you listen and respond
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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