Lokua Kanza was born Pascal Lokua Kanza in 1958 in Bukavu, in the province of Kivu, in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. He is the eldest of eight children, with a Mongo father and a Tutsi mother from Rwanda. In 1964, the family went to live in Kinshasa (Congo's capital) in a middle class area, until the day when Pascal's father, a ship's captain, died. His mother then moved to a much poorer area of the city, and Lokua, the eldest, had to work to feed the family. He therefore went to school part time, and took odd jobs, as well as singing in churches. Lokua Kanza sings in French, Lingala, and English.
Mbana Mboye
Lokua Kanza Lyrics
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Ba ngomba ekobunga na moto
Moyi ekokoma malili eh
Lokua Kanza's "Mbana Mboye" is a song that tells the story of a young girl who has left her village and struggles to adapt to life in the city. The first line, "Baye kokumba ango ya mboka," translates to "They left my home village," indicating the girl's displacement. The next line, "Ba ngomba ekobunga na moto," suggests that she is trying to adapt to the hustle and bustle of city life, but it's not easy. The agitated melody reflects her anxiety as she navigates her new surroundings. Finally, "Moyi ekokoma malili eh" means that the night falls quickly, which implies the girl is having a difficult time adjusting to the pace of the city.
There are many themes present in "Mbana Mboye" that many people can relate to. The song speaks to found identity and how it can be challenging to maintain the cultural heritage and traditions. Additionally, it portrays the difficulties of adapting to a new environment, leaving behind familiar feelings of comfort and safety in exchange for the unknown.
Line by Line Meaning
Baye kokumba ango ya mboka
People are gathering in the village square
Ba ngomba ekobunga na moto
They are holding torches
Moyi ekokoma malili eh
The moon is illuminating everything
Writer(s): KANZA LOKUA
Contributed by Jayce R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.