Miriam Makeba used her voice to entertain, but also to give a voice to millions of oppressed fellow South Africans who suffered as a result of apartheid. The price she had to pay for her actions was high, namely her South African citizenship. After she appeared, in 1960, in the an anti-apartheid documentary Come Back, Africa, the South African regime banned her from returning to her home country and took away her citizenship.
This event didn't stop her from continuing to raise her voice against the apartheid regime. Between 1964 and 1975, as a United Nations delegate of Guinea where she was granted asylum, Miriam Makeba addressed the General Assembly of the United Nations regularly on the tragic developments in South Africa.
Meanwhile she carried on singing, a process in which she put South African music on the map. Over the years Makeba worked with artists as Joe Sample, Stix Hooper, Arthur Adams, and David T. Walker of The Crusaders. In the late 1980's she joined Paul Simon and Ladysmith Black Mambazo during their world-wide Graceland tour and in 1990 she worked with Odetta and Nina Simone for the One Nation tour.
Following Nelson Mandela's release from prison, the citizen of the world Makeba returned to South Africa in December 1990; more than thirty years after she went in exile. In April 1991 she performed her first concert in her homeland in three decades.
The years after were busy ones for Makeba. She starred in the South African award-winning musical Sarafina! , about the 1976 Soweto youth uprisings, playing the role of the title character's mother. She then reunited with her first husband, trumpeter Hugh Masekela, for the Tour Of Hope. She also performed at the Vatican's Nevi Hall during the world-wide broadcasted show, Christmas In The Vatican. In 2000 Makeba released the grammy-nominated Homeland, her first studio album in a decade. In 2002 she shared the Polar Music Prize with Sofia Gubaidulina, in recognition of her exceptional achievements in the creation and advancement of music.
After her return to South Africa Miriam Makeba recorded over ten albums. In 2004, at the age of 72, she relased Reflections honoring the tenth anniversary of the end of apartheid in South Africa. In that same year Makeba was voted 38th in the Top 100 Great South Africans. She also started a 14 month worldwide farwell tour in 2005, holding concerts in all countries she had visited during her life.
With an impressive career spanning more than four decades Miriam Makeba is, indeed, one of the most respected, loved and cherished treasures in (South) Africa.
On the early morning of 10th of November 2008 she died at the age of 76 after being taken ill near the southern Italian town of Caserta, after performing at a concert against organized crime.
Source: Miriam Makeba, A true South African musical Legend
Discography on last.fm
External links:
Official website
Unofficial website
Movie database
Djiu De Galinha
Miriam Makeba Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Djiu Di Galiña , Ai
Djiu Di Galiña
N disdjau, Ai
Djiu Di Galiña
Manera ke piskaduris ta pera mare
Asin tambi ke n ta pera dia di riba
Manera ke labraduris ta tchora tchuba
Asin tambi ke n ta tchora bu falta
Djiu Di Galiña
Djiu Di Galiña , Ai
Djiu Di Galiña
N disdjau, Ai
Djiu Di Galiña
Djiu Di Galiña
Djiu Di Galiña , Ai
The song "Djiu Di Galiña" by Miriam Makeba is a traditional Cape Verdean song that talks about the struggles and challenges of life. The lyrics describe various scenarios where people are working hard to achieve their goals, just as a chicken scratches the dirt to find food. The first two lines of the song explain that, like the way fishermen catch fish in the sea, and farmers harvest the fruits of their labor, the singer also wants to achieve success in life.
The next two lines describe how the singer will persevere like the way a chicken scratches for its food "Djiu Di Galiña", even if they have to do it every day. The last lines of the song repeat the title "Djiu Di Galiña" as the singer reminds themselves to keep working hard and never give up. The song is an inspiration for people to keep pushing forward despite the difficulties they face.
Line by Line Meaning
Djiu Di Galiña
This phrase refers to the song's title, which is repeated throughout the lyrics.
Djiu Di Galiña , Ai
This line repeats the title of the song, but with the addition of the exclamation 'Ai' to express emotion.
N disdjau, Ai
This line means 'I don't know, oh no'. It expresses uncertainty or confusion about something.
Manera ke piskaduris ta pera mare
This line means 'Just as fishermen wait for the tide to come in, I too am waiting for the right time'. It compares the artist's situation to that of fishermen, who must wait patiently for opportunities.
Asin tambi ke n ta pera dia di riba
This line means 'In the same way, I am not waiting for high tide but for the right day'. It emphasizes the need for patience and waiting for the right circumstance or timing.
Manera ke labraduris ta tchora tchuba
This line means 'Just as farmers pray for rain, I too am praying for my needs to be met'. It compares the singer's situation to that of a farmer, who must rely on luck and natural conditions to help crops grow.
Asin tambi ke n ta tchora bu falta
This line means 'In the same way, I am not asking for too much, just what I need'. It emphasizes the singer's modest and reasonable desires.
Lyrics © Rossio Music Publishing
Written by: JOSE CARLOS SCHWARZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@claraantoniomedinalaydinha1987
C'est là music de la Guinée-Bissau 🇬🇼🇬🇼🇬🇼 merci beaucoup maman Miriam Makeba, Obrigada Diva da Africa ...
@1gmtmaster
E' con il cuore che ascolto questa canzone che mi riporta a quando ebbi la fortuna di vedere Miriam in concerto a Roma. With the heart I listen to this song that takes me back to when I was lucky to see Miriam singing in Rome.
@SRGOBTLS
Senhora da música africana uma das vozes incomparável do continente africano, interpretando a música do seu amigo cantor guineense Jose Carlos Schwartz.
@juniorgagnon5239
How sweet a song, how angelic a voice. Maman Africa, you're with us forever.
@vozesdascriancasorfaos6105
Eh com grande orgulho ouvi o nosso criolo na voz Miriam, isso vele pra sempre
@carlossambu8560
orgulho ouvir o nosso criolo na voz dessa deusa, sem duvida uma das mais maravilhosas cantoras do mundo,ainda cantando o nosso saudoso jose carlos.salve miriam
@adekunleotukoya1322
Wherever her project included session of jazz musicians i get attracted always a touch good melody, quite a few numbers of them. beautiful songstress with evergreen albums. RIP.
@cuddlebear6414
What a nice voice, what talent, what a meaningful liryc.
Originally from Guine-bissau, it's a small country in West of Africa between Senegal and Guine-Conacri
Where you can find wonderful people and friendly, authentical paradise.
Thanks Legend Miriam Makeba.
@joaquimngunza5129
Miriam Makeba canta em Criolo. Língua materna de Cabo Verde. Linda voz. Adorei imenso ouvir!🎶🎵❤🙏🏾👌🏾
@korison9881
Evergreen indeed!!!!!!!