Following the disappearance of royal patrons and then the socialist state, Zanzibarís taarab orchestras are now fighting a tough battle for survival. Ikhwani Safaa is a 20-piece orchestra with violins, ganoons, ney, guitar, accordion and percussion, and they've been worked into great form.
The double-bass player use thick rubbery shark line pulled up to tension for their strings, the ganoon players use a much lighter fish gauge. As it is, the string players seem to have a convention of tuning below concert pitch to avoid excessive wear and tear on the strings, effectively turning the keyboards and accordions into transposing instruments.
The Club has visited Kenya, Burundi, Oman and Dubai, and many of its musicians visited the UK in 1985 as members of the National Taarab Orchestra.
The line-up, in 1988, was: Omar Said Ali, Ali Salum, Haroub Abdalla, Saleh Mussa, Hisham Abdalla, Salim Kassim, Abdullah Khamis - violins; Seif Salim Saleh - violin and ud; Ally Salum - ganoon; Ally Salim - accordion; Abubakar Mohammed - guitar; Haji Mohammed - organ; Khamis Mohammed - bass; Juma Saidi Hamadi - cello; Hussein Ali, Abdul Rahman Baju Beir - ney; Abeid Muhsin, Said Abdalla, Rashid Hamid - percussion; Aziza Abdalla, Sihaba Juma, Rukhia Ramadhan, Maulidi Mohammed, Mohammed Ilays, Seif Salim Saleh, Kassim Mohammed, Abubakar Mohammed, Innat Alawi, Awadh Salim, Firiyal Rashied, Khadija Salim, Ali Masoud, Moh'd Shatri, Amur Khalfan, Salim Abdalla, Haji Ameri, Moh'd Salim, Ahmed Saleh, Masoud Mfaume, Ahmed Ali, Attiye Attaye, Mohammed Ahmed - singers and chorus; Humud Mohammed, Haroub Seif - technicians.
Nipepee
Ikhwani Safaa Musical Club Lyrics
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Eh Walah
Mungu Kanipa nilichomuomba, MashaAllah,
Raha
Na Wala, sishiri kikuu Katu limenisomba, Nala nalala,
Jamani Raha
Nitakulinda kwa Kunuti,
Ntapigana Jihadi
Wapambe
Vibulishuti
Wape chai kwenye Jagi,
Yet tamu biscuti, wasitie mchanga
Penzi letu baisikeli
Ka bomba la mbele, pia
Unipige mabusu
Liwachome kweli kweli wenye viherehere pia
Wakome yasowahusu
Bebe zima Feni, Nipepee
Nimeleta kipepeo, uNipepee
Leo zima Feni, Nipepee
Nimeleta kipepeo, uNipepee
Zima kiyoyozi, nipepee
Nimeleta kipepeo, uNipepee
Zima Feni, Nipepee
Nimeleta kipepeo, uNipepee
Tuoge ya Vugu Vugu,
Maji ya baridi siyawezi
Si unanijua na ugonjwa kwa kutetemeka
Nisugue sugu sugu,
Ongezea zaidi kunienzi
Kuneg'emua Kwangu Wanja kitachopeka
Fanya nizidi nikupende
Niwe nawe peke yako daima
Iwe bibwa mwabusele,
Shamba langu lako nalima
Huba tufunge ngenge nge
Tuape na viapo kharima
Ili wa kupiga denge
Tamu pendo wasitie sumu
Penzi letu baisikeli
Ka bomba la mbele, pia
Unipige mabusu
Liwachome kweli kweli wenye viherehere pia
Yakome yasowahusu
Bebe zima Feni, Nipepee
Nimeleta kipepeo, uNipepee
Leo zima Feni, Nipepee
Nimeleta kipepeo, uNipepee
Zima kiyoyozi, nipepee
Nimeleta kipepeo, uNipepee
Zima Feni, Nipepee
Nimeleta kipepeo, uNipepee
The song "Nipepee" by Ikhwani Safaa Musical Club is a love song with a catchy beat and playful lyrics. In Swahili, "Nipepee" translates to "give me a kiss," and the song follows the singer as they express their love and desire for their partner. The song opens with a celebratory shout-out to God, thanking Him for granting the singer's prayers for love. They sing, "Mungu Kanipa nilichomuomba, MashaAllah, Raha" which means "God has given me what I asked for, MashaAllah, joy."
The singer goes on to describe their devotion to their partner, promising to fight for them and protect them. They also mention wanting to keep their love strong and pure, and warn against outsiders who might try to ruin what they have. Throughout the song, there are playful references to sweet treats like biscuits and tea, as well as nods to their shared hobbies like biking. The chorus repeats the line "Bebe zima Feni, Nipepee" which means "turn off the fan, give me a kiss."
Overall, the song is a fun and upbeat ode to love, featuring playful lyrics and a lively melody that make it easy to dance along to.
Line by Line Meaning
Iyooo Laizaaa
Expressing excitement and joy
Eh Walah
Emphasizing the sincerity of the following statement
Mungu Kanipa nilichomuomba, MashaAllah, Raha
Thanking God for granting the desired pleasure and enjoyment
Na Wala, sishiri kikuu Katu limenisomba, Nala nalala, Jamani Raha
Feeling overwhelmed with pleasure and joy, without hiding it
Nitakulinda kwa Kunuti, Ntapigana Jihadi
Promising to protect the loved one with every means necessary
Pendo liwe madhubuti, wasiingie waganga Wapambe Vibulishuti Wape chai kwenye Jagi, Yet tamu biscuti, wasitie mchanga
Urging to keep the love strong and genuine, without seeking outside interference
Penzi letu baisikeli Ka bomba la mbele, pia Unipige mabusu Liwachome kweli kweli wenye viherehere pia Wakome yasowahusu
Comparing their love to a bicycle built for two, and asking for affection while ignoring the envious people around them
Bebe zima Feni, Nipepee Nimeleta kipepeo, uNipepee Leo zima Feni, Nipepee Nimeleta kipepeo, uNipepee Zima kiyoyozi, nipepee Nimeleta kipepeo, uNipepee Zima Feni, Nipepee Nimeleta kipepeo, uNipepee
Asking to turn off the fan, to protect the butterfly they brought to the room, as they want to keep enjoying the moment
Tuoge ya Vugu Vugu, Maji ya baridi siyawezi Si unanijua na ugonjwa kwa kutetemeka Nisugue sugu sugu, Ongezea zaidi kunienzi Kuneg'emua Kwangu Wanja kitachopeka
Asking for warm water for a bath, as they cannot handle cold water due to a medical condition, and requesting more affection while flirting with their partner
Fanya nizidi nikupende Niwe nawe peke yako daima Iwe bibwa mwabusele, Shamba langu lako nalima Huba tufunge ngenge nge Tuape na viapo kharima Ili wa kupiga denge Tamu pendo wasitie sumu
Asking for the love to grow stronger and become exclusive, while promising to take care of the partner and asking for commitment and loyalty, without any negative influences
Writer(s): s abeid
Contributed by Bailey J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.