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
Nomeva
Miriam Makeba Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Umbi kangaka?
Ndizakwenzani umbi kangaka?
Uyint'okwenzani?
Umbi kangaka?
Ndizakwenzani umbi kangaka?
Uyawabon'amagqirha hoya
Uyababona beqholosha nje
Uyawabon'amagqirha hoya
Walil'umntana uhlatywe ngameva
Asingomeva yitolofiya
Hayi lomntana uyakuthanda
Ukoyanyiswa ezindongeni
Andikhathali noma kutheni
Isono sami singonile
Andikhathali noma kutheni
Isono sami singonile
Walila, walila lomntana (Walila, walil'umntana)
Walila uhlatywe ngameva (Walila, walil'umntana)
Hayi lomntana uyakuthanda bo (Hayi kuthanda)
Ukoyanyiswa ezindongeni
Andikhathali noma kutheni (Andikhathali)
Isono sami singonile (Sesingonile)
Andikhathali noma kutheni (Andikhathali)
Isono sami singonile (Sesingonile)
Walila, walila lomntana (Walila, walil'umntana)
Walila uhlatywe ngameva (Walila, walil'umntana)
Hayi lomntana uyakuthanda bo (Hayi uyakuthanda)
Ukoyanyiswa ezindongeni
Andikhathali noba kutheni (Andikhathali)
Isono sami singonile (Sesingonile)
Andikhathali noba kutheni (Andikhathali)
Isono sami singonile (Sesingonile)
Mama yiyo, yiyo
Hayi yho mama yiyo
Yiyo, yiyo mama
Hayo mama yiyo
Yiyo mama yiyo mama
Yiyo mama yiyo
Yiyo, yiyo
Hayo mama yiyo
Hoya
The song "Nomeva" by Miriam Makeba is sung in the Xhosa language and its lyrics reflect the social and political struggles that black South Africans faced under apartheid. The opening lines of the song, "Uyint'okwenzani? Umbi kangaka? Ndizakwenzani umbi kangaka?" can be roughly translated to "What are you doing? What are you carrying? What will I do with what you are carrying?" These lines reflect the suspicion and scrutiny that black individuals faced under apartheid, where they were often stopped and searched by the police. The repetition of these lines throughout the song seems to suggest that the singer is frustrated and fed up with this treatment.
The rest of the lyrics talk about a child who is crying and being comforted by someone (perhaps the singer herself). The child is said to have been "hlatywe ngameva" which is a reference to the practice of leaving babies to cry themselves to sleep in a hut called an "umgqirha" in Xhosa culture. The singer talks about how the child is loved but also vulnerable and in need of protection from the hardships of the world. The repetition of the phrase "hayi lomntana uyakuthanda" (this child is loved) emphasizes the importance of love and care in a world that can be harsh and unforgiving.
Overall, the lyrics of "Nomeva" are a powerful reflection of the experiences of black South Africans under apartheid, capturing both the indignities and injustices they faced as well as their resilience and capacity for love in the face of hardship.
Line by Line Meaning
Uyint'okwenzani?
What are you doing there?
Umbi kangaka?
What is this thing?
Ndizakwenzani umbi kangaka?
What am I going to do with this thing?
Uyababona beqholosha nje
You see them as mere teenagers
Uyawabon'amagqirha hoya
But they see themselves as healers
Walil'umntana uhlatywe ngameva
The child cried and was wrapped in a blanket
Asingomeva yitolofiya
We don't have any money for a lullaby
Hayi lomntana uyakuthanda
This child is loved
Ukoyanyiswa ezindongeni
And is carried in baskets
Andikhathali noma kutheni
I am not ashamed of anything
Isono sami singonile
My sins are forgiven
Walila, walila lomntana
The child cried, oh, the child cried
Walila uhlatywe ngameva
The child cried and was wrapped in a blanket
Hayi lomntana uyakuthanda bo
This child is loved indeed
Ukoyanyiswa ezindongeni
And is carried in baskets
Mama yiyo, yiyo
Mama, oh mama
Hayi yho mama yiyo
This is not your mama, oh mama
Yiyo, yiyo mama
Oh, mama
Hayo mama yiyo
This is your mama, oh mama
Yiyo mama yiyo mama
Oh mama, mama
Yiyo mama yiyo
Oh mama
Yiyo, yiyo
Oh, oh
Hayo mama yiyo
This is your mama, oh mama
Hoya
There you have it
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rememberourmusic440
Uyint'okwenzani?
Umbi kangaka?
Ndizakwenzani umbi kangaka?
Uyint'okwenzani?
Umbi kangaka?
Ndizakwenzani umbi kangaka?
Uyababona beqholosha nje
Uyawabon'amagqirha hoya
Uyababona beqholosha nje
Uyawabon'amagqirha hoya
Walil'umntana uhlatywe ngameva
Asingomeva yitolofiya
Hayi lomntana uyakuthanda
Ukoyanyiswa ezindongeni
Andikhathali noma kutheni
Isono sami singonile
Andikhathali noma kutheni
Isono sami singonile
Walila, walila lomntana (Walila, walil'umntana)
Walila uhlatywe ngameva (Walila, walil'umntana)
Hayi lomntana uyakuthanda bo (Hayi kuthanda)
Ukoyanyiswa ezindongeni
Andikhathali noma kutheni (Andikhathali)
Isono sami singonile (Sesingonile)
Andikhathali noma kutheni (Andikhathali)
Isono sami singonile (Sesingonile)
Walila, walila lomntana (Walila, walil'umntana)
Walila uhlatywe ngameva (Walila, walil'umntana)
Hayi lomntana uyakuthanda bo (Hayi uyakuthanda)
Ukoyanyiswa ezindongeni
Andikhathali noma kutheni (Andikhathali)
Isono sami singonile (Sesingonile)
Andikhathali noma kutheni (Andikhathali)
Isono sami singonile (Sesingonile)
Mama yiyo, yiyo
Hayi yho mama yiyo
Yiyo, yiyo
Hayo mama yiyo
Yiyo, yiyo, yiyo mama
Yiyo mama yiyo
Yiyo, yiyo, yiyo
Hayo mama yiyo
Hoya
@zandilepaliso2996
Uyinto kwenzani umbi kangaka (what is to be done with you, when you are this ugly)
Ndizakwenzani umbi kangaka(what am I going to do with you, when you are this ugly)
Uyinto kwenzani umbi kangaka (what is to be done with you, when you are this ugly)
Ndizakwenzani umbi kangaka(what am I going to do with you, when you are this ugly)
Uyababona beqholosha nje ( do you see them , they have pride)
uyawabona amagqirha woyaa ( can you see , the healers)
Uyababona beqholosha nje ( do you see them , they have pride)
uyawabona amagqirha woyaa ( can you see , the healers)
walila umntana,uhlatywe ngameva ( the child cried, shes been pierced by thorns)
asingo meva yitolofiya (it is not thorns, its the sweet prickly pear [tree or fruit])
hayi lomntana uyakuthanda ukoyanyiswa ezindongeni ( owh this child likes to be pinned on walls)
andikhathali nobakutheni ( i dont care what happened)
isono sam singomile ( my sin has proven difficult) [cant really translate this one, sorry]
andikhathali nobakutheni ( i dont care what happened)
isono sam singomile ( my sin has proven difficult)
walila walila lomntana walila uhlatywe ngameva ( She cried,she cried, the child cried, shes been peirced by thorns)
hayi lomntana uyakuthanda ukoyanyiswa ezindongeni ( owh this child likes to be pinned on walls)
andikhathali nobakutheni ( i dont care what happened)
isono sam singomile ( my sin has proven difficult)
andikhathali nobakutheni ( i dont care what happened)
isono sam singomile ( my sin has proven difficult)
walila walila lomntana walila uhlatywe ngameva ( She cried,she cried, the child cried, shes been peirced by thorns)
hayi lomntana uyakuthanda ukoyanyiswa ezindongeni ( owh this child likes to be pinned on walls)
andikhathali nobakutheni ( i dont care what happened)
isono sam singomile ( my sin has proven difficult)
andikhathali nobakutheni ( i dont care what happened)
isono sam singomile ( my sin has proven difficult)
@zandilepaliso2996
Uyinto kwenzani umbi kangaka (what is to be done with you, when you are this ugly)
Ndizakwenzani umbi kangaka(what am I going to do with you, when you are this ugly)
Uyinto kwenzani umbi kangaka (what is to be done with you, when you are this ugly)
Ndizakwenzani umbi kangaka(what am I going to do with you, when you are this ugly)
Uyababona beqholosha nje ( do you see them , they have pride)
uyawabona amagqirha woyaa ( can you see , the healers)
Uyababona beqholosha nje ( do you see them , they have pride)
uyawabona amagqirha woyaa ( can you see , the healers)
walila umntana,uhlatywe ngameva ( the child cried, shes been pierced by thorns)
asingo meva yitolofiya (it is not thorns, its the sweet prickly pear [tree or fruit])
hayi lomntana uyakuthanda ukoyanyiswa ezindongeni ( owh this child likes to be pinned on walls)
andikhathali nobakutheni ( i dont care what happened)
isono sam singomile ( my sin has proven difficult) [cant really translate this one, sorry]
andikhathali nobakutheni ( i dont care what happened)
isono sam singomile ( my sin has proven difficult)
walila walila lomntana walila uhlatywe ngameva ( She cried,she cried, the child cried, shes been peirced by thorns)
hayi lomntana uyakuthanda ukoyanyiswa ezindongeni ( owh this child likes to be pinned on walls)
andikhathali nobakutheni ( i dont care what happened)
isono sam singomile ( my sin has proven difficult)
andikhathali nobakutheni ( i dont care what happened)
isono sam singomile ( my sin has proven difficult)
walila walila lomntana walila uhlatywe ngameva ( She cried,she cried, the child cried, shes been peirced by thorns)
hayi lomntana uyakuthanda ukoyanyiswa ezindongeni ( owh this child likes to be pinned on walls)
andikhathali nobakutheni ( i dont care what happened)
isono sam singomile ( my sin has proven difficult)
andikhathali nobakutheni ( i dont care what happened)
isono sam singomile ( my sin has proven difficult)
@zandilepaliso2996
@@majajesic6875 Since yall seemingly never got the lyrics let me help + some very direct translation
Uyinto kwenzani umbi kangaka (what is to be done with you, when you are this ugly)
Ndizakwenzani umbi kangaka(what am I going to do with you, when you are this ugly)
Uyinto kwenzani umbi kangaka (what is to be done with you, when you are this ugly)
Ndizakwenzani umbi kangaka(what am I going to do with you, when you are this ugly)
Uyababona beqholosha nje ( do you see them , they have pride)
uyawabona amagqirha woyaa ( can you see , the healers)
Uyababona beqholosha nje ( do you see them , they have pride)
uyawabona amagqirha woyaa ( can you see , the healers)
walila umntana,uhlatywe ngameva ( the child cried, shes been pierced by thorns)
asingo meva yitolofiya (it is not thorns, its the sweet prickly pear [tree or fruit])
hayi lomntana uyakuthanda ukoyanyiswa ezindongeni ( owh this child likes to be pinned on walls)
andikhathali nobakutheni ( i dont care what happened)
isono sam singomile ( my sin has proven difficult) [cant really translate this one, sorry]
andikhathali nobakutheni ( i dont care what happened)
isono sam singomile ( my sin has proven difficult)
walila walila lomntana walila uhlatywe ngameva ( She cried,she cried, the child cried, shes been peirced by thorns)
hayi lomntana uyakuthanda ukoyanyiswa ezindongeni ( owh this child likes to be pinned on walls)
andikhathali nobakutheni ( i dont care what happened)
isono sam singomile ( my sin has proven difficult)
andikhathali nobakutheni ( i dont care what happened)
isono sam singomile ( my sin has proven difficult)
walila walila lomntana walila uhlatywe ngameva ( She cried,she cried, the child cried, shes been peirced by thorns)
hayi lomntana uyakuthanda ukoyanyiswa ezindongeni ( owh this child likes to be pinned on walls)
andikhathali nobakutheni ( i dont care what happened)
isono sam singomile ( my sin has proven difficult)
andikhathali nobakutheni ( i dont care what happened)
isono sam singomile ( my sin has proven difficult)
@zandilepaliso2996
Uyinto kwenzani umbi kangaka (what is to be done with you, when you are this ugly)
Ndizakwenzani umbi kangaka(what am I going to do with you, when you are this ugly)
Uyinto kwenzani umbi kangaka (what is to be done with you, when you are this ugly)
Ndizakwenzani umbi kangaka(what am I going to do with you, when you are this ugly)
Uyababona beqholosha nje ( do you see them , they have pride)
uyawabona amagqirha woyaa ( can you see , the healers)
Uyababona beqholosha nje ( do you see them , they have pride)
uyawabona amagqirha woyaa ( can you see , the healers)
walila umntana,uhlatywe ngameva ( the child cried, shes been pierced by thorns)
asingo meva yitolofiya (it is not thorns, its the sweet prickly pear [tree or fruit])
hayi lomntana uyakuthanda ukoyanyiswa ezindongeni ( owh this child likes to be pinned on walls)
andikhathali nobakutheni ( i dont care what happened)
isono sam singomile ( my sin has proven difficult) [cant really translate this one, sorry]
andikhathali nobakutheni ( i dont care what happened)
isono sam singomile ( my sin has proven difficult)
walila walila lomntana walila uhlatywe ngameva ( She cried,she cried, the child cried, shes been peirced by thorns)
hayi lomntana uyakuthanda ukoyanyiswa ezindongeni ( owh this child likes to be pinned on walls)
andikhathali nobakutheni ( i dont care what happened)
isono sam singomile ( my sin has proven difficult)
andikhathali nobakutheni ( i dont care what happened)
isono sam singomile ( my sin has proven difficult)
walila walila lomntana walila uhlatywe ngameva ( She cried,she cried, the child cried, shes been peirced by thorns)
hayi lomntana uyakuthanda ukoyanyiswa ezindongeni ( owh this child likes to be pinned on walls)
andikhathali nobakutheni ( i dont care what happened)
isono sam singomile ( my sin has proven difficult)
andikhathali nobakutheni ( i dont care what happened)
isono sam singomile ( my sin has proven difficult)
@joaquimngunza5129
Im Angolan and live in Portugal. I still feel the presence of the Mamma Áfrika. Miriam Makeba. You never will be forgot!🎵🎶🙏🏾❤
@tinaamaechi3038
My favourite. I had the blessed opportunity to watch this incredible women on a large cenima screen in my childhood.
@hermannekeke5809
Du Cameroun, où je suis natif plus précisément de Duala, un talent aussi émouvant n'a jamais pu me conquérir comme celui de " my second mummy " Miriam Makeba. May tout soul reste in peace and thé wind of your voice remain in our hearts because, as she said, thé legend lives on..
@christianessouah9503
Je t'aime Mama Africa, jusqu'à présent quand je t'écoute j'ai les larmes aux yeux !!!
@fidelwayara1193
I miss this lady to this day. What a gift she was during our struggles to make our respective countries come out of oppressive forces. A brave and full of confidence on stage like never seen by a performer of her time. Rest in peace mama africa.
@bozm9961
Oh my god here she is
@tomlove1081
It was wonderfull moment when I met Mama Miriam Makebas songs.I remember it for ewer more.She gave me so mutch hope and power and love when I was in very bad shape in my whole life.Now I can live mutch different life because she fixed my soul and mind with power of love the way i newer didn´t know that is possible just singing songs about life.Now I am full with life and have started to teach other people how to live better and truefull life doing even impossible things what man can do to work for bilding dreams to true bildings what kind of bildings newer seen before in this world.So mutch can right human do to you life.Lift you in better life what you ewer could dream.That human to me was Mama my sister Miriam Makeba. I owe almoust ewerything to her what i have in my rich life now.
@1050952103
Increible!
@slengineer91
No words can describe the beauty...
@amandangangani3074
Love love!!! beautiful melody and lyrics