Though seasons would eventually separate these blood brothers by miles, a strong bond remained. These two were rooted in the same soil, and the sound of that union resounded across state lines and through telephone wires. It was in 2005 that ELANI was born, a Greek word or name that means 'light'. Many contributed to the sound and direction that was 'ELANI' over the next 5 years, and the music was positively shaped and formed by these experiences and collaborations between these friends and fellow creatives.
There has never been one genre to pin to what the Brothers Miller have accomplished over these last six years, but it could be said that the songs spin a tale, weaving a story full of depth and discovery, soul, Spirit, and the scent of the seasons. Like many who have come before, The brothers Miller were born with the breathe of the centuries, and the rhythm of life itself. Every sound comes from the overflow of that reality.
[edit]
Mahindi
ELANI Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nimewahi kuwahi eeh
Na sasa niko fiti Nairobi
Maisha ya kulima siyo rahisi
Lakini, najua ni wengi wananingojea
Nifike na
Mahindi mahindi
Nyumbani
Mahindi, mahindi
Raia wanataka unga ya ugali
Nyumbani
Anasema anatumia jiko nyumbani, yeeh
Eti kilo ya nyama yangoja nyumbani na ugali
Huku sisi tuko kazi
Tukichelewa itakuwa tena kesi
Nairobi jueni, tuko njiani
Twaja na
Mahindi mahindi
Wananchi wanataka kula ugali
Nyumbani
Mahindi, mahindi
Raia wanataka unga ya ugali
Nyumbani
Jogoo, Hostess
Sembe, Pembe
Zote kazi ya mikono yetu
Zote kazi ya mikono yetu
Jogoo, Hostess
Sembe, Pembe
Zote kazi ya mikono yetu
Zote kazi ya mikono yetu
Mahindi mahindi
Wananchi wanataka kula ugali
Nyumbani
Mahindi, mahindi
Raia wanataka unga ya ugali
Nyumbani
The song Mahindi by ELANI is a call to action for Kenyans to appreciate and support the farmers who work hard to provide the country with the staple food, maize. The song opens with a show of gratitude to the mother who made breakfast of uji, a traditional porridge made from maize flour, for the singer. The lyrics then proceed to acknowledge the difficulty of the farming life, particularly for small-scale farmers. Despite the hardship, the singer is aware that the people are waiting eagerly for the harvest, and so they push on, traveling to the city with the maize.
The chorus of the song is a rallying cry for Kenyans to eat more ugali, a type of maize flour meal. The lyrics of the chorus give a sense that the people are missing out on something vital as they desire the comfort of a meal made from maize flour, particularly ugali, a staple part of the Kenyan diet. The last verse of the song gives a shoutout to the different brands of maize flour in the Kenyan market and how hardworking Kenyans are behind them. The song is a call to Kenyans to support their farmers and appreciate the food that they provide for them.
Line by Line Meaning
Ni asante mama kwa uji ya asubuhi
I am grateful to my mother for the breakfast porridge
Nimewahi kuwahi eeh
I have been through a lot
Na sasa niko fiti Nairobi
But now I am doing well in Nairobi
Maisha ya kulima siyo rahisi
Farming life is not easy
Lakini, najua ni wengi wananingojea
But, I know many are waiting for me
Nifike na Mahindi mahindi
To arrive with maize, maize
Wananchi wanataka kula ugali Nyumbani
Citizens want to eat porridge at home
Anasema anatumia jiko nyumbani, yeeh
He says he uses the stove at home, yeah
Eti kilo ya nyama yangoja nyumbani na ugali
Apparently, a kilo of meat is waiting at home with porridge
Huku sisi tuko kazi Tukichelewa itakuwa tena kesi
While we are working here, if we delay, it will be a problem again
Nairobi jueni, tuko njiani
Nairobi knows, we are on our way
Twaja na Mahindi mahindi
We are coming with maize, maize
Jogoo, Hostess Sembe, Pembe
Chicken, Hostess, Flour, Horns
Zote kazi ya mikono yetu
All the work of our hands
Mahindi mahindi Wananchi wanataka kula ugali Nyumbani
Maize, maize Citizens want to eat porridge at home
Mahindi, mahindi Raia wanataka unga ya ugali Nyumbani
Maize, maize Citizens want flour for porridge at home
Writer(s): Brak, Elani
Contributed by Adrian I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@johnnzioki848
This song is so deep. Food security has been a major problem in most African countries yet God has blessed us with good fertile soils and adequate rainfall.
Most African countries have not come up with policies to ensure that their citizens have enough food, balanced diet and also policies to protect farmers.
This narrative has to change and thank you @Elanimuziki for been a voice to the voiceless.
#FoodSecurity
#FoodIsABasicNeed
#Elanimuziki
#ElaniMahindi
#ColoursOfLove
#BigFour
@mutumagatwiri955
It's like Elani peeps foresaw our 2022 unga ya mahindi situweshen🥲🥲
That " wananchi wanataka kula ugali" slaps so hard.
@mgcarol5036
This song fits soo much to what we experiencing right now
@princenewton
How many agree with me Elani is one of thebest Music Group in Africa👑⚡
@Into.The.Animeverse
True⚡⚡⚡🔥🥊
@Femi925
I agree 100%
@princenewton
@Femi925 same🎸
@princenewton
@Jason Jabez 💗
@carolinemwanzia5289
I agree with you 100000000 percent
@rickyarun8309
ELANI doesn't write songs..............they write real life stories, beautiful stories***
@michelletabby7066
Let's just take a moment to appreciate how phenomenal Maureen looks in that red dress 😭💕💕