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
Jikele Maweni
Miriam Makeba Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Zophukel'emlanjeni wo hom
Xa kubethw'intonga
Iya hom
Amadod'ayoyika
Ukubheka emlandweni wo hom
Kuba kubethw'intonga
O jikel'emaweni ndiyahamba
Jikel'emaweni ndiyahamba
O jikel'emaweni ndiyahamba
Jikel'emaweni ndiyahamba
Axhents'amakhwenkwe
Axhentsa kwabamandi
Axhents'amakhwenkwe
Axhentsel'emgodini
Axhents'amakhwenkwe
Axhentsa kwabamandi
Axhents'amakhwenkwe
Axhentsel'emgodini
O jikel'emaweni ndiyahamba
Jikel'emaweni ndiyahamba
O jikel'emaweni ndiyahamba
Jikel'emaweni ndiyahamba
Ajik'amadoda
Ajika kwabamandi
Ajik'amadoda
Ajikel'emgodini
Ajik'amadoda
Ajika kwabamandi
Ajik'amadoda
Ajikel'emgodini
Iyo, iyo, iyo hayi (Jikel'emaweni ndiyahamba)
Iyo, iyo, iyo hayi (Jikel'emaweni ndiyahamba)
Ihayi hayi hayi yoh hayo hay (Jikel'emaweni ndiyahamba)
Iyo, iyo, iyo hayi (Jikel'emaweni ndiyahamba)
Ajik'amadoda
Ajika kwabamandi
Ajik'amadoda
Ajikel'emgodini
Ajik'amadoda
Ajika kwabamandi
Ajik'amadoda
Ajikel'emgodini
Intonga zamakhwenkwe
Zophukel'emlanjeni wo hom
Kuba kubethw'intonga
Iya hom
The lyrics of Miriam Makeba's song "Jikele Maweni" convey a message of empowerment and self-assurance. The first verse introduces the idea of young men wielding their weapons (intonga) near the river (emlanjeni), signifying their readiness to defend themselves and their community. They are not intimidated by their surroundings, as they boldly declare their presence when the intonga is thrown.
The second verse speaks to the fearlessness of men who do not shy away from looking directly into the face of danger. They do not retreat in the face of adversity or when the intonga is thrown.
The chorus repeats the phrase "jikel'emaweni ndiyahamba," which can be translated to "I'm walking amidst the mountains." This phrase epitomizes the fearlessness and resilience of the individuals in the song. They navigate through the challenges and obstacles of life with a sense of confidence and determination.
The subsequent verses continue to emphasize the strength and courage of men who do not falter or tremble in the presence of those who exude power and authority (amandi). They stand their ground and march forward, defying any attempt to intimidate or oppress them.
The repeated chant of "iyo, iyo, iyo hayi" adds an energetic and celebratory element to the song, expressing a collective affirmation and praise for the indomitable spirit of these individuals.
Overall, "Jikele Maweni" serves as an anthem of empowerment, encouraging individuals to face life's challenges head-on and to embrace their inner strength.
Line by Line Meaning
Intonga zamakhwenkwe
These young men carry their spears
Zophukel'emlanjeni wo hom
They jump over the river
Xa kubethw'intonga
When they are given the spears
Iya hom
They go home
Amadod'ayoyika
The fearful men
Ukubheka emlandweni wo hom
Looking from the other side of the river
Kuba kubethw'intonga
Because their spears were given to others
Iya hom
They go home
O jikel'emaweni ndiyahamba
Oh, I travel through the valleys
Jikel'emaweni ndiyahamba
I travel through the valleys
Axhents'amakhwenkwe
The young boys are playing
Axhentsa kwabamandi
They mock the older ones
Axhentsel'emgodini
They tease those in the township
O jikel'emaweni ndiyahamba
Oh, I travel through the valleys
Ajik'amadoda
The brave men do not retreat
Ajika kwabamandi
They don't fear the elderly
Ajikel'emgodini
They don't submit to those in the township
Iyo, iyo, iyo hayi (Jikel'emaweni ndiyahamba)
Oh, oh, oh no (I travel through the valleys)
Ihayi hayi hayi yoh hayo hay (Jikel'emaweni ndiyahamba)
Oh no no no, yes yes yes (I travel through the valleys)
Iyo, iyo, iyo hayi (Jikel'emaweni ndiyahamba)
Oh, oh, oh no (I travel through the valleys)
Ajik'amadoda
The brave men do not retreat
Ajika kwabamandi
They don't fear the elderly
Intonga zamakhwenkwe
These young men carry their spears
Zophukel'emlanjeni wo hom
They jump over the river
Kuba kubethw'intonga
Because their spears were given to others
Iya hom
They go home
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kelseysolomon5981
Intonga zamakhwenkwe
Zophukel'emlanjeni wo hom
Xa kubethw'intonga
Iya hom
Amadod'ayoyika
Ukubheka emlandweni wo hom
Kuba kubethw'intonga
Iya hom
O jikel'emaweni ndiyahamba
Jikel'emaweni ndiyahamba
O jikel'emaweni ndiyahamba
Jikel'emaweni ndiyahamba
Axhents'amakhwenkwe
Axhentsa kwabamandi
Axhents'amakhwenkwe
Axhentsel'emgodini
Axhents'amakhwenkwe
Axhentsa kwabamandi
Axhents'amakhwenkwe
Axhentsel'emgodini
O jikel'emaweni ndiyahamba
Jikel'emaweni ndiyahamba
O jikel'emaweni ndiyahamba
Jikel'emaweni ndiyahamba
Ajik'amadoda
Ajika kwabamandi
Ajik'amadoda
Ajikel'emgodini
Ajik'amadoda
Ajika kwabamandi
Ajik'amadoda
Ajikel'emgodini
Iyo, iyo, iyo hayi (Jikel'emaweni ndiyahamba)
Iyo, iyo, iyo hayi (Jikel'emaweni ndiyahamba)
Iya hayi hayi hayi yoh hayo (Jikel'emaweni ndiyahamba)
Iyo, iyo, iyo hayi (Jikel'emaweni ndiyahamba)
Ajik'amadoda
Ajika kwabamandi
Ajik'amadoda
Ajikel'emgodini
Ajik'amadoda
Ajika kwabamandi
Ajik'amadoda
Ajikel'emgodini
Intonga zamakhwenkwe
Zophukel'emlanjeni wo hom
Kuba kubethw'intonga
Iya hom
@godsanointed3397
My childhood days come to mind. Song that makes me to cry while thinking of the oppression of my African brothers and sisters during the days of apartheid in south Africa though a Nigerian I am.
@reginaamegah8109
April 2020 and this song still soothes the soul. Thank you Miriam Makeba
@TanyaNishailoc
Me too darling
@ngorankonan7788
@Tanya Nishailoc traduisez en français pour nous les francophones
@dardawhite4576
I was taught this song when I was younger, and I am now teaching children! Love this song!
@dardawhite4576
*my children
@joaquinmoreno1584
@Darda White Hello Darda, do you know her story? I would like to know her. Do you know any page?
@mjminutecurrentaffairsforg9860
Blessed 😎
@danielhama4558
Please, how can I learn it?????
@chrisalain8490
Such a beautiful song. What a wonderful lady. We miss you Miriam Makeba and not only in South Africa (I am a French admirer)!