Bonga abandoned athletics in 1972, concentrating solely on his music. He has released over 30 albums, singing in Portuguese and traditional Angolan languages. His tracks are a mixture of Portuguese-language folk songs, semba, kizomba and latin elements.
While Angola was still a Portuguese colony, Bonga was an outspoken supporter of independence. This led him to be exiled from Angola in the early 1970s. It was during this time that he launched his first album, Angola 72.
Kolenu
Bonga Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
KUBATA-KU NGILA
IVUANJI NAKUETENU
XÉ SINHOLA
MONÉ UA SALUKA
A FUMALA OH NGA.BA
A IBA OH KUTOBA.
ZUELANJI TATA
SE KAMONEKÉ
MAMBO MA BOLO
UALA NAIO.
NGA KU MONO
MUENE UÉ LELA
UA FIKA KUMA KIA UABA
OH POLO UA NGANGAMA.
LELU DIALA NI MUATU
A DITÉ KUBEKA UÉ
AI-UÉ KILUINGI UABU
MUKONDA DIANHE
NGO DIONDO NAKUETENU
ZUELENU KIAMBOTE
OH MUIMBU DIA MUXIMA
AI KA KIBAMGA.
The lyrics to Bonga's song "Kolenu" are in a language called Kimbundu, which is one of the Bantu languages spoken in Angola. The song talks about a journey of struggle and perseverance.
The opening lines, "Anangola mene kenu, Kubata ku ngila, Ivuani nakuetenu," can be translated to "To Angola we go, Fighting against the storm, Facing the waves head-on." This can be interpreted as a metaphorical journey towards a better life or a desired destination, where the obstacles and challenges are embraced rather than avoided.
The next verse, "Xé sinhola, Moné ua saluka, A fumala oh nga.ba, A iba oh kutoba," can be interpreted as a call to action. "Sinhola" means to take action or rise up, and "Moné ua saluka" means "we must stand up." The lyrics convey a sense of determination and resilience, encouraging the listener to overcome their struggles and continue to move forward.
The chorus, "Zuelanji tata, Se kamoneke, Mambo ma bolo, Uala naio," can be understood as a reference to ancestral spirits and guidance. "Zuelanji" refers to the spirits of ancestors, and "tata" means father. This suggests that the singer seeks the wisdom and strength of their ancestors to navigate through life's challenges.
Overall, "Kolenu" is a song that conveys a message of resilience, perseverance, and seeking ancestral guidance in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
ANANGOLA-.MENEKENU
While I walk through Angola
KUBATA-KU NGILA
With a burden on my shoulders
IVUANJI NAKUETENU
My heart feels heavy
XÉ SINHOLA
I keep moving forward
MONÉ UA SALUKA
Even though I am tired
A FUMALA OH NGA.BA
I have faith in myself
A IBA OH KUTOBA
And I continue to strive
ZUELANJI TATA
Calling to my ancestors
SE KAMONEKÉ
Seeking their guidance
MAMBO MA BOLO
The powers of the spirits
UALA NAIO
Are within me
NGA KU MONO
With my voice
MUENE UÉ LELA
I sing loudly
UA FIKA KUMA KIA UABA
To reach the ears of my people
OH POLO UA NGANGAMA
And touch their hearts
LELU DIALA NI MUATU
In this world of souls
A DITÉ KUBEKA UÉ
We must all stand together
AI-UÉ KILUINGI UABU
In unity we find strength
MUKONDA DIANHE
Love is the key
NGO DIONDO NAKUETENU
With pain in my heart
ZUELENU KIAMBOTE
I will keep fighting
OH MUIMBU DIA MUXIMA
For the song of love
AI KA KIBAMGA
Will never fade away
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Bonga
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
AsYou
on Muadiakime
I'm looking for the translation, even in Portuguese, but ... Useless. So I've decided to study kimbundo. I'm just getting started.
Josselin Tonnel
on Kambuà
Hello, I'm french and I would to get the lyrics of this song and its translation in english if it isn't too much to ask it !!! Thank a lot for your support !!!