Fundi Konde, said to be the first electric guitarist from Kenya, became one… Read Full Bio ↴Fundi Konde, said to be the first electric guitarist from Kenya, became one of the most popular musicians in East Africa during the post-war, pre-independence period. Although he retired in 1963, he later returned to music and collaborated with His career lasted fifty years, from the 1950s to the 1990s (when he collaborated with Shikamoo Jazz). He died in Nairobi in 2000, at the age of 76.

Jambo Sigara
Fundi Konde Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Wasifa, Mpenzi inuka tucheze
Nikuonyeshe pendo nitue na moyo
Wasifa, Mama inuka tucheze
Nikuonyeshe pendo nitue na moyo
Lakini moyo wanambia bila ya Waridi Rhumba sitacheza
Lakini moyo wanambia bila ya Waridi Rhumba sitacheza
Jambo, jambo sigara
Jambo, jambo sigara

Sigara baridi
Jambo, jambo sigara
Jambo, jambo sigara
Sigara baridi
Wasifa, Mpenzi inuka tucheze
Nikuonyeshe pendo nitue na moyo
Wasifa, Mama inuka tucheze
Nikuonyeshe pendo nitue na moyo
Lakini moyo wanambia bila ya Waridi Rhumba sitacheza
Lakini moyo wanambia bila ya Waridi Rhumba sitacheza
Jambo, jambo sigara
Jambo, jambo sigara
Sigara baridi
Jambo, jambo sigara
Jambo, jambo sigara
Sigara baridi
Lakini moyo wanambia bila ya Waridi Rhumba sitacheza
Lakini moyo wanambia bila ya Waridi Rhumba sitacheza
Jambo, jambo sigara
Jambo, jambo sigara
Sigara baridi
Wapenda sigara, aah?
Jambo sigara aah, kweli
Jambo sigara baridi
Katisha mama katisha
Katisha, katisha, katisha
Katisha, katisha, katisha
Jambo sigara
Jambo sigara
Ukiambiwa jambo ni jambo sigara
Wasifa, hebu inuka tucheze
Nikuonyeshe pendo nitue na moyo
Lakini moyo wanambia bila ya Waridi Rhumba sitacheza
Kwa nini?
Lakini moyo wanambia bila ya Waridi Rhumba sitacheza
Hilo sigara
Jambo sigara
Jambo sigara, sigara baridi
Nini?

Jambo sigara
Jambo sigara, sigara baridi

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Fundi Konde's song "Jambo Sigara" appear to be about dancing with a loved one, asking them to show their love and affection. The song starts with the singer asking "Wasifa" and "Mama" to dance with him so he can show them his love. However, the singer's heart tells him that he will not dance the rhumba without roses, implying that he needs a certain level of romance to truly express his love.

The chorus of the song repeatedly mentions "Jambo Sigara," which translates to "hello cigarette" in Swahili. This appears to be a reference to smoking, with the singer describing the cigarette as "cold" in contrast to the warmth and affection he seeks from his partner. The song continues with the singer asking why his heart tells him not to dance the rhumba without roses, and he repeats the chorus once again. The song ends with the singer asking "Wasifa" to dance with him again, but he mentions the cigarette once more before the song fades out.

Overall, the lyrics of "Jambo Sigara" seem to be a reflection on the paradoxical nature of love and addiction. While the singer seeks warmth and affection from his partner, he appears to be weighed down by the coolness of the cigarette, which symbolizes his addiction. This contrast might suggest that the singer is conflicted about what he really wants, with his heart torn between romantic love and a destructive habit.

Line by Line Meaning

Wasifa, Mpenzi inuka tucheze
My love, let's get up and dance

Nikuonyeshe pendo nitue na moyo
I want to show you love and make your heart happy

Wasifa, Mama inuka tucheze
My dear, mother, let's dance

Lakini moyo wanambia bila ya Waridi Rhumba sitacheza
But my heart tells me I won't dance without Waridi Rhumba

Jambo, jambo sigara
Hello, hello cigarette

Sigara baridi
Cold cigarette

Wapenda sigara, aah?
Do you smokers love cigarettes?

Kweli jambo sigara aah
Indeed, hello cigarette

Katisha mama katisha
Move it, Mama, move it

Jambo sigara
Hello cigarette

Ukiambiwa jambo ni jambo sigara
When you're told something is just a cigarette