Khadja left Burundi for Zaire in 1975 and got married in 1978. In 1980 she emigrated to Belgium with her two-year old son. In 1985 she met musician Nicolas Fiszman, who helped her get a contract with BMG. Her second album, a 1994 release entitled Ya Pili, was critically acclaimed. Her breakthrough, however, came in 1996 with her widely popular album Sambolera, which was sung in Swahili, Kirundi, and French. Khadja Nin successfully used a blend between African rhythms and modern pop to create her own unique brand of music. One of her most popular songs is Sina Mali, Sina Deni, a translated cover version of Stevie Wonder's song Free.
Haya
Khadja Nin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Haya mpaka aziya
Ata kule amerika
Unalala mutoto njiyani
Unalala mutoto inje
Ni haya
Usi ulize jina yake vile
Ju yeye, tu yeye ule
Yake amejiita haya
Mutoto wa haya
Wuko inje hauliye
Ulisha kuzoweleya
Ule umasikini
Ulitafuta msaidia
Ukamukosa
Unapashwa kuiba
Ju upate cakula
Mtoto wa haya
Haya anahangayika
Haya ni malaika
Haya kwa iyi duniya...
Kweli
Ina aca mutoto njiyani
Ina aca mutoto inje
Ni haya
Usi ulize jina yake vile
Ju yeye, tu yeye ule
Hana jina,
Yake amejiita haya
Mi siweze kusahabu
Maco yake
Ananihangaliya
We haya wangu
Mi nitakosa majibu
Siku uta ni uliza
Ju ya nini ni vile?
Ju ya nini wewe?
The lyrics to Khadja Nin's song "Haya" are filled with symbolism that is both thought-provoking and poignant. The song talks about a child who is sleeping on the pavement, which the singer suggests is something that can be found not only in Africa but also in Europe and Asia. The child is referred to as "mutoto wa haya" meaning "child of the world" or "child of nature" which symbolizes the universal nature of suffering.
The song's opening lines, "Haya mpaka ulaya, Haya mpaka aziya, Ata kule amerika" suggest that the suffering of this child can be found across continents and borders. This is a poignant reminder that despite our differences, we are all connected and we are all capable of feeling and experiencing the same pain. The child, who is referred to as "Haya," has no name and has been left to fend for themselves in a world that is not very kind.
The song also delves into the complexities of poverty and the lengths that people will go to in order to survive. The mention of stealing as a means of survival shows the desperation and hopelessness that people in poverty can feel. The lyric "Usi ulize jina yake vile, ju yeye, tu yeye ule" which translates to "don't ask his name, because he is him, he is her, he is you" suggests that this child represents everyone who has ever had to endure the pain and hardship of poverty.
Overall, the song is a powerful message about the universality of suffering and the need for compassion and empathy towards others who are less fortunate.
Line by Line Meaning
Haya mpaka ulaya
This call of urgency reaches Europe
Haya mpaka aziya
This call of urgency reaches Asia
Ata kule amerika
Even in America
Unalala mutoto njiyani
You lie asleep on the roadside, child
Unalala mutoto inje
You lie asleep out in the open, child
Ni haya
It is this call of urgency
Usi ulize jina yake vile
Do not ask for their name like that
Ju yeye, tu yeye ule
Because it doesn’t matter, it could be anyone
Hana jina,
They have no name
Yake amejiita haya
They have called themselves 'urgency'
Mutoto wa haya
The child of urgency
Wuko inje hauliye
Is lying outside without a home
Ulisha kuzoweleya
You have already gone begging
Ule umasikini
You have eaten poverty
Ulitafuta msaidia
You have looked for help
Ukamukosa
But couldn’t find it
Unapashwa kuiba
You are forced to steal
Ju upate cakula
So you can eat
Haya anahangayika
Urgency struggles
Haya ni malaika
Urgency is an angel
Haya kwa iyi duniya...
Urgency in this world...
Kweli
Really
Ina aca mutoto njiyani
It happens to the child on the roadside
Ina aca mutoto inje
It happens to the child out in the open
Mi siweze kusahabu
I cannot forget
Maco yake
Their face
Ananihangaliya
It watches over me
We haya wangu
My own sense of urgency
Mi nitakosa majibu
I will not have answers
Siku uta ni uliza
If one day you ask me
Ju ya nini ni vile?
What is happening and why?
Ju ya nini wewe?
What about you?
Contributed by Evelyn R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Joseph Gitta Musisi
Good music, just love instruments, the groove there!!!!! So amazing and nice to listen to. Above all, the lyrics, it's speaking about social challenges.
Jabine Tasho
Good song, beautiful melody
Mrs N Ralotsia
I'm in love with Kadja
Kambee Tjiroze
Beautiful
Joseph Gitta Musisi
The silky voice......
Jeff Marley
Lovely musicðŸ˜
kwizera aimable
Good songs
MUKEKE Jembe
Yubahwe