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
Nimaru
Les Wanyika Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sheri ee usilie mwana mama ee, najua wanipenda Nimaru mama ee, sikupenda kukuacha uteseke nyumbani pekee,
Shida na tabu zinafanya watu kutengana mama eee...
Sheri ee usilie mwana mama ee, najua wanipenda Nimaru mama ee, sikupenda kukuacha uteseke nyumbani pekee,
Shida na tabu zinafanya watu kutengana mama eee...
Sheri ee usilie mwana mama ee, najua wanipenda Nimaru mama ee, sikupenda kukuacha uteseke nyumbani pekee,
Shida na tabu zinafanya watu kutengana mama eee...
Sheri ee usilie mwana mama ee, najua wanipenda Nimaru mama ee, sikupenda kukuacha uteseke nyumbani pekee,
Shida na tabu zinafanya watu kutengana mama eee...
Safari niliyonayo ni ndefu sana ooo, sijui mwaka gani nitarudi mama yoyoyoooo,
Hata mimi sina raha kuwa mbali nawe ooo, lakini ni hali ya dunia ni vigumu kuepuka aaaaaaa
Ooooooo mwanamama oooo, Oooooooo mwanamama...
Safari niliyonayo ni ndefu sana ooo, sijui mwaka gani nitarudi mama yoyoyoooo,
Hata mimi sina raha kuwa mbali nawe ooo, lakini ni hali ya dunia ni vigumu kuepuka aaaaaaa
Ooooooo mwanamama oooo, Oooooooo mwanamama...
Ooooo Nimaru mama ee, Nimaru mama, Nimaru bibi...
Ooooo usilie mama ee, usilie mama, ninarudi TZ...
Ooooo nitarudi bibi ee, nikuone mama, tufurahi pamoja...
Ooooo nifurahi nawe oooooooo...
Sheri ee usilie mwana mama ee, najua wanipenda Nimaru mama ee, sikupenda kukuacha uteseke nyumbani pekee,
Shida na tabu zinafanya watu kutengana mama eee...
Sheri ee usilie mwana mama ee, najua wanipenda Nimaru mama ee, sikupenda kukuacha uteseke nyumbani pekee,
Shida na tabu zinafanya watu kutengana mama eee...
Ooooooo mwanamama oooo, Oooooooo mwanamama...
Sheri ee usilie mwana mama ee, najua wanipenda Nimaru mama ee, sikupenda kukuacha uteseke nyumbani pekee,
Shida na tabu zinafanya watu kutengana mama eee...
Sheri ee usilie mwana mama ee, najua wanipenda Nimaru mama ee, sikupenda kukuacha uteseke nyumbani pekee,
Shida na tabu zinafanya watu kutengana mama eee...
Safari niliyonayo ni ndefu sana ooo, sijui mwaka gani nitarudi mama yoyoyoooo,
Hata mimi sina raha kuwa mbali nawe ooo, lakini ni hali ya dunia ni vigumu kuepuka aaaaaaa
Ooooooo mwanamama oooo, Oooooooo mwanamama...
Safari niliyonayo ni ndefu sana ooo, sijui mwaka gani nitarudi mama yoyoyoooo,
Hata mimi sina raha kuwa mbali nawe ooo, lakini ni hali ya dunia ni vigumu kuepuka aaaaaaa
Ooooooo mwanamama oooo, Oooooooo mwanamama...
The song "Nimaru" by Les Wanyika addresses the emotional pain and separation that occurs when a loved one, in this case Nimaru, is forced to leave their family and hometown due to difficult circumstances. The song starts by acknowledging the love that Nimaru's mother has for her and the pain of leaving her behind to suffer alone in their home. The repetition of the phrase "usilie mwana mama ee" (don't cry, my mother) shows that the singer is aware of the pain he is causing his loved ones by leaving.
The chorus repeats the same sentiment, but this time with the addition of the line "shida na tabu zinafanya watu kutengana" (problems and difficulties make people separate). This line highlights the reality that sometimes situations arise that cause people to be separated from their loved ones, despite their best efforts to stay together.
The second verse addresses the difficulty of the singer's journey and the uncertainty of when he will be able to return home. He expresses his own personal pain at being away from his family and recognizing that it is a part of the natural difficulties of life that sometimes cannot be avoided.
Overall, "Nimaru" is a poignant and emotional song that speaks to the pain of leaving loved ones behind and the difficulties of life that can cause people to be separated.
Line by Line Meaning
Nimaru mtoto wa Tanga
Introducing Nimaru, a child from Tanga.
Sheri ee usilie mwana mama ee, najua wanipenda Nimaru mama ee, sikupenda kukuacha uteseke nyumbani pekee
Don't cry, mother, I know you love me and I didn't want to leave you alone with suffering, but hardship and difficulties cause people to separate.
Shida na tabu zinafanya watu kutengana mama eee...
Problems and difficulties make people separate, mother.
Ooooooo mwanamama oooo, Oooooooo mwanamama...
Repeated chorus expressing affection for the mother.
Safari niliyonayo ni ndefu sana ooo, sijui mwaka gani nitarudi mama yoyoyoooo
The journey I have is very long, I don't know when I will come back, mother.
Hata mimi sina raha kuwa mbali nawe ooo, lakini ni hali ya dunia ni vigumu kuepuka aaaaaaa
Even I am not happy to be far away from you, but it is the nature of the world and it is difficult to avoid.
Ooooo Nimaru mama ee, Nimaru mama, Nimaru bibi...
Expressing love and affection for Nimaru's mother and grandmother.
Ooooo usilie mama ee, usilie mama, ninarudi TZ...
Don't cry, mother, I am coming back to Tanzania.
Ooooo nitarudi bibi ee, nikuone mama, tufurahi pamoja...
Expressing intention to come back and see Nimaru's grandmother and mother and have fun together.
Ooooo nifurahi nawe oooooooo...
Expressing desire to be happy with Nimaru's mother.
Contributed by Claire R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Duke Fred Abellezz
best music of my time
@Albert-un8eg
Sai niko masomo mbali sana ,miaka tatu sijafika nyumbani lakini 2024 nafika nyumbani.
@carlosatuya2851
still hitting 2023 ....somebody like @2023
@sharonadhiambo7576
September 2023
@monicangwele5545
Can't get enough of this song
@youngchuda1568
Wqtoto 2000 wataona kama wanapigiwa kelele t😅😅😅 ila mziki ulikua zamani 🎉🎉🎉
@victormugo8130
Indeed old is Gold,so soothing and lovely song
@kennethchengasia1252
When I listen to this music I realise how our old guys enjoyed life those days when life was natural and pure unlike our days where we listen to craps 2023
@KenzoTembo
Nimekumbuka rafikizangu kipindikire tuposhure
@afsamfilinge3252
Miss you mom. R. I. P mom