In 1971, two brothers from the coastal region of Tanga, Tanzania, Wilson and George Kinyonga formed a band they would call Simba Wanyika, a Swahili for Savannah Lions. Due to unsteady economic conditions in [Tanzania] in the 70s which strained the music industry, most of the artists of that time migrated to Kenya and other neighbouring countries in search of greener environments. It's no wonder that some of these artists became citizens of those countries. During that time, travelling between the two countries was made easy by the East African community, a tripartite agreement of understanding among Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. After the collapse of the community in 1977, border crossings were made difficult, hence the eventual establishment of permanent base in Kenya by the group. With its development and growth, the band created several offshoots, but most notable was/is Les Wanyika. It's one thing for an artist to migrate in search of career betterment and quite another when a country falsely claims ownership of certain artists who belongs to another country for the sole purpose of looking good and seeking prominence. The so can be said of the song Malaika which originated in Tanzania, cartoonist Geofrey "Gado" Mwampembwa who is a Tanzanian working for the Nation Newspaper in Kenya and the overall location of the mount Kilimanjaro. The Kenyans have been very good on this profession. With Les Wanyika, new members of the group included both Tanzanians and Kenyans. The famous John Ngereza, Issa Juma and Omar Shabani were all from Tanzania, and one Tom Malanga was from Kenya. This band established a permanent base in Nairobi, playing in nightclubs and on various resorts. Most of the group members have either died or fallen victims of age toll.
In 2006, the group was reformed with a new line up
Amigo
Les Wanyika Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tabia zako zimeshakupasae
Mke na watoto wamekimbia
Tulikukanya chunga heshima yako,
Mke na watoto wako nyumbani,
Ndio hazina ya maisha yako... Amigo, Amigo
Uliona sisi watu fitina,
Twaingilia mambo yako ya ndani,
Na kwamba tukuache kama ulivyo,
Sababu wewe bingwa wa maisha... Amigo, Amigo
Thamani ya mke ni mavazi,
kula vizuri kulala vizuri
ndio siri ya kudumisha ndoa
mtaishi kwa raha amigo
watoto wako wapeleke shule,
kwa manufaa yao ya baadaye,
Elimu ndio zawadi muhimu
Kwa watoto wako, Amigo
Badala yake mabo yote hayo,
kwa mkeo imekuwa ni ndoto
Maisha yake ya kubahatisha
Na kazi unfanya, Amigo
Amechoka mwisho kakimbia
umebaki kulaumu wenzio
Lawama zako hazina msingi, bembeleza mkeo akurudie!
Majirani na rafiki tulishakukanya sana Amigo,
Heshimu mke na watoto wako,
Heshimu baba na mama nyumbani,
Na wakwe zako uwape heshima,
Shemeji zako pia waheshimu,
Tukawa sisi wabaya kwako,
Shauri wetu hauna maana,
Tukwache kama ulivyo Amigo,
Sababu wewe ni bingwa wa maisha
Mahari umeshalipa Amigo,
Mkeo huna habari naye,
Na leo yamekufika mambo,
Ubingwa wako na mke amekukimbia Eh! ×4
The lyrics to Les Wanyika's song "Amigo" are a cautionary tale to a man who has neglected his family for his work and disregarded the advice of those around him. The first verse laments the fact that the man's wife and children have left him, and the chorus emphasizes the importance of valuing one's family as the treasure of one's life. The second verse acknowledges that the man had rejected advice from friends and neighbors who were concerned about his internal affairs and that he had been seen as someone who didn't appreciate the help of others. The bridge encourages the man to take care of his family, send his children to school, and treasure his wife, as these are the keys to maintaining a happy home.
The song is a reflection of African values, emphasizing the importance of community and family, and warning against the dangers of neglecting one's family for work. The use of the word "Amigo," which translates to "friend" in Spanish, is an indication of the influence of Latin American music on East African pop music during the 1980s. The song's upbeat tempo, catchy guitar licks, and smooth vocals have made it a classic in East African and African pop music.
Line by Line Meaning
Tabia zako zimeshakupasae
Your behavior has already caused your downfall.
Mke na watoto wamekimbia
Your wife and children have left you.
Tulikukanya chunga heshima yako,
Mke na watoto wako nyumbani,
Ndio hazina ya maisha yako... Amigo, Amigo
We warned you to protect your honor and keep your wife and children at home, as they are your life's treasure.
Wakati tunakupa ushauri we,
Uliona sisi watu fitina,
Twaingilia mambo yako ya ndani,
Na kwamba tukuache kama ulivyo,
Sababu wewe bingwa wa maisha...
When we gave you advice, you thought we were meddling and that we should leave you alone because you are a champion of life.
Thamani ya mke ni mavazi,
kula vizuri kulala vizuri
ndio siri ya kudumisha ndoa
mtaishi kwa raha amigo
The value of a wife lies in dressing well, eating and sleeping well, which is the secret to a happy marriage.
watoto wako wapeleke shule,
kwa manufaa yao ya baadaye,
Elimu ndio zawadi muhimu
Kwa watoto wako, Amigo
Your children should go to school for their future benefit, as education is the greatest gift for them, Amigo.
Badala yake mabo yote hayo,
kwa mkeo imekuwa ni ndoto
Maisha yake ya kubahatisha
Na kazi unfanya, Amigo
Amechoka mwisho kakimbia
umebaki kulaumu wenzio
Instead, your wife's life has become a nightmare and her work is uncertain, while you continue to blame others when she is tired and has run away.
Lawama zako hazina msingi,
bembeleza mkeo akurudie!
Your blame is unfounded, so go and beg your wife to come back to you!
Majirani na rafiki tulishakukanya sana Amigo,
Heshimu mke na watoto wako,
Heshimu baba na mama nyumbani,
Na wakwe zako uwape heshima,
Shemeji zako pia waheshimu,
Tukawa sisi wabaya kwako,
Shauri wetu hauna maana,
Tukwache kama ulivyo Amigo,
Sababu wewe ni bingwa wa maisha
Neighbors and friends warned you so much, Amigo, to respect your wife and children, your parents, your in-laws, and also your siblings-in-law, but you thought our advice was meaningless, so we will leave you as you are because you are the champion of life.
Mahari umeshalipa Amigo,
Mkeo huna habari naye,
Na leo yamekufika mambo,
Ubingwa wako na mke amekukimbia Eh! ×4
You have paid the bride price, Amigo, but you have no relationship with your wife, and today things have caught up with you: your wife has left you, yet you are still clinging to your champion status, eh! (x4).
Contributed by Ryan S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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@joseckmundara4505
Les Wanyika - Amigo
Tabia zako zimeshakupasae
Mke na watoto wamekimbia
Tulikukanya chunga heshima yako,
Mke na watoto wako nyumbani,
Ndio hazina ya maisha yako.... Amigo, Amigo
Wakati tunakupa ushauri we,
Uliona sisi watu fitina,
Twaingilia mambo yako ya ndani,
Na kwamba tukuache kama ulivyo,
Sababu wewe bingwa wa maisha... Amigo, Amigo
Thamani ya mke ni mavazi,
kula vizuri kulala vizuri
ndio siri ya kudumisha ndoa
mtaishi kwa raha amigo
watoto wako wapeleke shule,
kwa manufaa yao ya baadaye,
Elimu ndio zawadi muhimu
Kwa watoto wako, Amigo
Badala yake mabo yote hayo,
kwa mkeo imekuwa ni ndoto
Maisha yake ya kubahatisha
Na kazi unfanya, Amigo
Amechoka mwisho kakimbia
umebaki kulaumu wenzio
Lawama zako hazina msingi, bembeleza mkeo akurudie!
Majirani na rafiki tulishakukanya sana Amigo,
Heshimu mke na watoto wako,
Heshimu baba na mama nyumbani,
Na wakwe zako uwape heshima,
Shemeji zako pia waheshimu,
Tukawa sisi wabaya kwako,
Shauri wetu hauna maana,
Tukwache kama ulivyo Amigo,
Sababu wewe ni bingwa wa maisha
Mahari umeshalipa Amigo,
Mkeo huna habari naye,
Na leo yamekufika mambo,
Ubingwa wako na mke amekukimbia Eh! x4
@josephatmoracha5755
Team 2024 lets gather here ❤ and agree that this music will never get old ❤.
@tabbyayako5905
Never gets old
@johntheneat3228
Hizi nyimbo hata sisi watoto wa 2003 zinatufundisha kuheshimu wazazi na shemeji zetu kupenda na kutunza familia zetu mke na watoto asanteni sana wazee wetu kama bado unasikiliza hadi leo 2023 tupia like yako
@AllenMwalimu
Hakika
@waswahassan6169
Izimiziki zilikua chat nakwakufundisha watuwot❤
@yusufurajabuomari647
Kama bado unasikiliza 2020 tujuane kwa like
#AMIGO
@FaridaFarida-ov2th
Yusufu Rajabu Omari pamoja sana naupenda huu wimbo dah!
@devothagrationgration6380
Nakupenda sn mpaka leo nausikiliza
@mercymuraguri6074
Am here in feb 2020 good music
@flondwiga2965
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